Remote workers are 31% more engaged than their on-site counterparts, but only when connection is intentional. Planning a virtual holiday party that brings your distributed team together requires designing experiences that create genuine connections, not just another video call.

The challenge with most virtual holiday events is ensuring your holiday party doesn't feel like another meeting. Only 33% of companies hold simple team-building activities like virtual coffee breaks, yet 83% of companies report improved global perspective as the most beneficial outcome of virtual team building.

This guide shares 35 proven holiday party ideas that transform screens into celebrations. From virtual holiday party games that spark the festive spirit to company holiday party traditions adapted for remote teams, these ideas will help you create the best virtual holiday party your team has ever experienced.

Why Virtual Holiday Parties Need Intentional Design

Traditional office party celebrations rely on proximity. People naturally mingle, conversations happen organically, and energy builds through shared space. Virtual holiday office party events require a different approach to capture that same holiday spirit.

51% of employees are disengaged, while 13% are actively disengaged. But data shows that intentional engagement activities can flip this script. 80% of employees say learning and development opportunities would help them feel more engaged, and virtual holiday events are perfect vehicles for this kind of connection.

When done right, your virtual holiday celebration can strengthen team bonds just as effectively as any in-person event while supporting your broader company culture goals.

Virtual Holiday Party Games

Virtual holiday party games work best when they're easy to join, quick to understand, and create moments for authentic interaction between remote team members.

Competitive Team Games

1. Holiday Trivia Tournament

Time: 20-25 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Divide party guests into breakout rooms of 4-5 people for this holiday game.

How to run it:

• Round 1: General holiday traditions (5 minutes)
• Round 2: Company-specific questions celebrating your unique culture (5 minutes)
• Round 3: Multimedia round with holiday movie clips and music snippets (10 minutes)
• Scoring and winner announcement (5 minutes)

Pro tip: Create different difficulty levels so everyone can participate, not just trivia experts. Mix in easy questions like "What color is Rudolph's nose?" with harder ones about global holiday traditions. Consider adding icebreaker games between rounds to keep energy high.

2. Virtual Escape Room Challenge

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: 6-8 per room | Cost: $10-25 per person

Book a holiday-themed escape room designed for remote teams through platforms like The Escape Game or Outback Team Building. Groups of 6-8 work together to solve puzzles in this virtual event.

Best for: Teams that enjoy problem-solving and can commit to the full hour. Collaborative challenges foster deeper relationships while embracing the holiday spirit.

3. Holiday Bingo: Company Edition

Time: 15-20 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Create bingo cards mixing holiday traditions with workplace inside jokes for your virtual office holiday party.

Sample squares:

• "Has holiday lights visible on camera"
• "Mentions Q4 deadlines during party"
• "Pet makes a cameo appearance"
• "Wearing a holiday sweater"
• "Still has pumpkin decor up"

Pro tip: For groups over 15 people, use breakout rooms so everyone can interact and mark off squares through conversation rather than just watching.

4. Festive Pictionary Relay

Time: 20-25 minutes | Group size: 10-50 | Cost: Free

Teams take turns drawing holiday-themed prompts using Zoom's whiteboard or a shared screen.

How it works:

• Divide into teams of 4-6 people
• One person from each team draws while their team guesses (60 seconds per round)
• Include categories: "Holiday movies," "Winter activities," "Office traditions," "2024 team achievements"
• Award points for correct guesses within the time limit

Add company-specific categories to strengthen team bonds and make it more relevant to your workplace.

5. Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Time: 15 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Give teams 10 minutes to find specific items around their homes in a virtual scavenger hunt.

Sample items:

• Ugliest holiday decoration
• Most festive snack
• Something red and green
• A gift that's still wrapped
• Holiday card from this year
• Three different types of wrapping paper

Award points for each item found, with bonus points for best stories about the items.

Interactive Entertainment Games

6. Holiday Karaoke Championship

Time: 30-45 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Use virtual karaoke apps or share screens with YouTube karaoke videos for your virtual holiday party.

Format options:

• Solo performances (2 minutes each)
• Duets or group performances
• Themed rounds: Classic carols, pop holiday songs, "worst performance" awards

Pro tip: Create a sign-up sheet in advance so people can prepare. Award prizes for categories like "Most Enthusiastic" and "Best Worst Performance" to encourage participation without pressure.

7. Virtual Dance Party

Time: 10-15 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Create a collaborative holiday playlist ahead of your virtual holiday event. Turn on cameras and have a dance party to holiday music and team favorites.

Make it work: Start with high-energy holiday classics, include a few team-requested songs, and consider doing a "freeze dance" round where people must freeze when the music stops.

8. Holiday Movie Trivia

Time: 20-30 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Mix classic Christmas movie questions with recent releases for this holiday-themed game.

Round structure:

• Round 1: Name that movie from a quote (10 questions)
• Round 2: Visual round using movie stills (5 questions)
• Round 3: Audio clips from classic holiday movies (5 questions)
• Bonus: Lightning round for tiebreakers

Include both mainstream classics (Home Alone, Elf) and diverse options (Klaus, The Holiday, Krampus) to keep things interesting.

9. Team Talent Show

Time: 30-60 minutes depending on team size | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Invite remote team members to share special skills during your virtual party. Performances can include:

• Musical instruments
• Magic tricks
• Poetry or comedy
• Cooking demonstrations
• Pet tricks
• Unique hobbies

Limit each performance to 3-5 minutes. This works best when people sign up in advance rather than being put on the spot.

Guessing Games & Collaborative Activities

10. Two Truths and a Lie: Holiday Edition

Time: 15-20 minutes | Group size: 10-30 | Cost: Free

Each person shares three holiday-related statements about themselves during your virtual holiday party. Teams guess which is false while learning surprising facts about colleagues.

Example statements:

• "I once got snowed in at an airport for three days during the holidays"
• "My family celebrates Christmas on December 24th instead of the 25th"
• "I've never tried eggnog"

For larger teams, use breakout rooms of 6-8 people so everyone gets a turn.

11. Holiday "Would You Rather?"

Time: 10-15 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Present entertaining dilemmas for your virtual event:

• "Would you rather eat only fruitcake for a week or listen to only Christmas music until February?"
• "Would you rather have to wear an ugly sweater every day in January or sing every conversation for a week?"
• "Would you rather give up your favorite holiday tradition or your favorite holiday food?"

Have people hold up signs, use Zoom reactions, or move to breakout rooms based on their choice, then discuss.

12. Virtual Secret Santa Reveal

Time: 30-45 minutes | Group size: 10-50 | Cost: $20-50 per person

If you organized a Secret Santa gift exchange, make the reveal part of your virtual entertainment with creative presentations.

How to run it:

• Use a Secret Santa generator 3-4 weeks before the party
• Set a budget ($25-50) and provide shipping stipends
• Have participants open gifts on camera one by one
• After opening, the recipient guesses their Secret Santa
• Award prizes for best gift wrapping, most creative gift, best guess

Virtual Holiday Food & Drink Ideas

Shared food experiences create some of the strongest team bonds, especially during a company party.

Cooking & Baking Together

13. Mulled Wine Making Session

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $15-25 per person for ingredients

Send ingredient lists ahead of time for this event. Cook together while sharing stories about family holiday traditions.

What to send or ask people to buy:

• Red wine or grape juice (non-alcoholic option)
• Oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise
• Honey or sugar
• Recipe card with instructions

Pro tip: Always include non-alcoholic options. Consider doing a "winter warm drinks" theme with mulled wine, hot cider, and hot chocolate so everyone has choices.

14. Holiday Recipe Exchange

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: 10-30 | Cost: Varies by recipe

Have each team member prepare their favorite holiday dish ahead of your party. During the event, each person presents their creation and shares the story behind the recipe.

Structure:

• Each person gets 3-5 minutes to present
• Share the recipe origin (family tradition, cultural heritage, recent discovery)
• Show the finished dish on camera
• Compile all recipes into a shared team cookbook afterward

15. Virtual Cocktail Hour

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $20-40 per person for ingredients

Hire a professional mixologist or designate team cocktail experts to teach signature holiday drinks for your virtual office party.

Make it inclusive: Feature 2-3 drinks with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions so everyone can participate.

Popular options: Cranberry mule, winter margarita, spiced hot chocolate, pomegranate spritz

16. Cookie Decorating Workshop

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $15-30 per person

Send cookie decorating kits and host a virtual baking session where remote employees can share techniques and stories while making holiday cookies.

What to include in kits:

• 6-8 pre-baked sugar cookies
• 3-4 colors of icing in squeeze bottles
• Sprinkles and decorative elements
• Parchment paper

This is a fun way to blend creativity with team-building activities.

17. Gingerbread House Building Contest

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $12-20 per person

Mail a gingerbread house kit to each team member ahead of your event. Set a 30-minute timer and let creativity run wild in this great holiday party idea.

Award categories:

• Most creative design
• Most structurally sound
• Best use of candy
• Most likely to survive an earthquake
• Most abstract interpretation

Tasting & Pairing Experiences

18. Wine and Cheese Pairing

Time: 60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $30-50 per person

Partner with local vendors to create curated tasting boxes for your virtual holiday party. Include tasting notes and pairing guides for an educational experience.

Typical box contents: 3-4 wines or wine-sized portions, 4-5 cheeses, crackers, accompaniments (nuts, dried fruit), tasting guide

19. Hot Chocolate Bar

Time: 30-45 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $15-25 per person

Send gourmet hot chocolate mixes with various toppings to party guests. Create custom blends while catching up with colleagues.

Toppings to include: Marshmallows, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, caramel sauce, cinnamon, crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings

20. Coffee Cupping Session

Time: 45 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $20-30 per person

For morning holiday party celebrations, explore different coffee blends with a guided tasting experience that brings remote teams together.

Partner with a local roaster to create tasting kits with 3-4 single-origin coffees and a guided tasting card explaining flavor profiles, origins, and brewing tips.

21. International Holiday Treats Tasting

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $25-35 per person

Order treats from different cultural holiday traditions and ship them to remote team members. Discover how different cultures celebrate the holidays while enjoying a virtual party together.

Sample treats: German stollen, Italian panettone, Mexican buñuelos, Japanese Christmas cake, Swedish pepparkakor, Polish pierniki

Cultural Connection & Recognition Activities

The best virtual holiday party ideas help remote team members get to know each other while celebrating diverse holiday traditions.

Storytelling & Cultural Sharing

22. Holiday Traditions Show and Tell

Time: 30-45 minutes | Group size: 10-30 | Cost: Free

Each person shares a meaningful tradition from their family or culture during your holiday party.

Format:

• Each person gets 2-3 minutes to share
• Encourage showing objects, decorations, or photos
• Allow time for questions and cultural exchange
• For teams over 25, use breakout rooms

Create space for genuine cultural exchange that strengthens team bonds.

23. Childhood Holiday Memory Sharing

Time: 20-30 minutes | Group size: 10-40 | Cost: Free

Use breakout rooms of 5-7 people for intimate story sharing during your virtual event. Return to the main video call with highlights that made people laugh or feel connected.

Prompts to use:

• Your earliest holiday memory
• A holiday tradition that shaped you
• The best gift you ever received (or gave)
• A holiday disaster that's funny now

24. Holiday Around the World Tour

Time: 45-60 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Remote employees present 3-minute "postcards" from their location, sharing local holiday customs, decorations, or foods during this virtual party experience.

What to include: Local traditions, special foods, unique decorations, holiday music or songs, how the season is celebrated in their region or culture

Pro tip: This works especially well for globally distributed teams. Even within the US, regional differences in holiday traditions make for interesting discussions.

25. Gratitude Circle

Time: 15-30 minutes depending on group size | Group size: 10-50 | Cost: Free

End your virtual holiday celebration by sharing what each person is grateful for about the team this year.

How to run it: Go around in order, giving each person 30-60 seconds to share one thing they're grateful for about working with this team. Keep it sincere and simple.

Simple but powerful for strengthening team bonds.

Team Recognition & Celebration

26. Year in Review Video Montage

Time: 10-15 minutes to watch | Prep time: 2-3 hours | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Compile highlights from team achievements, funny moments, and milestones for your company holiday party. Screen during the virtual holiday event for shared nostalgia and celebration.

What to include:

• Major project launches or wins
• Funny Slack messages or meeting moments
• New team members joining
• Team milestones and achievements
• Memorable virtual background fails

27. Peer Appreciation Awards

Time: 20-30 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: $0-50 per person for prizes

Create fun categories for your virtual office holiday party. Let team members nominate and vote in this holiday game.

Award categories:

• Best Virtual Background Artist
• Most Reliable WiFi
• Best "Sorry, I was on mute" Recovery
• Most Creative Problem Solver
• Best Team Collaborator
• Most Likely to Brighten Your Day

Keep it light and positive. Everyone should feel celebrated.

28. Holiday Costume Contest

Time: 15-20 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free (participants supply own costumes)

Go beyond the ugly sweater party concept. Encourage creative interpretations of holiday themes, favorite seasonal characters, or winter wonderland looks during your virtual celebration.

Categories to judge:

• Most festive
• Most creative
• Best DIY effort
• Best group/family costume (for those with others at home)
• Funniest interpretation

Creative Holiday Experiences

Use digital tools and creative activities to create virtual party experiences that couldn't happen at an in-person event.

Digital Innovation Activities

29. Virtual Office Holiday Decorating

Time: 20-30 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Use virtual backgrounds or digital collaboration tools to "decorate" shared online spaces together during your virtual office party.

Options:

• Create a collaborative Miro board where everyone adds holiday decorations
• Design team holiday Zoom backgrounds together
• Decorate a shared Slack workspace with holiday emoji and themes

30. Holiday Playlist Building

Time: 15-20 minutes to compile, ongoing enjoyment | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Collaborate on a shared holiday playlist with everyone contributing their favorite music. Play and discuss choices during your party.

How to run it:

• Create a collaborative Spotify playlist
• Each person adds 2-3 songs
• During the party, play snippets and have people explain their choices
• Team can use the playlist throughout the season

31. Digital Photo Booth

Time: 15-20 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free

Set up virtual photo booth sessions with holiday prompts and backgrounds for your holiday event. Create shared albums for ongoing team memories.

Prompts to try:

• Silliest face
• Most festive
• Best "surprised by holiday magic" expression
• Team screenshot (everyone in one frame)

Use Zoom's built-in filters or have people screenshot their favorite moments.

32. Holiday Card Design Challenge

Time: 20-25 minutes | Group size: Any working in teams of 3-5 | Cost: Free

Use virtual whiteboard tools like Miro or Mural for this virtual game. Teams create digital holiday cards in 15 minutes.

Voting categories:

• Funniest
• Most artistic
• Best use of company branding
• Most likely to make you smile

Creative Expression & Gaming

33. Online Gaming Tournament

Time: 45-90 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free-$15 per person

Use platforms like Kahoot, Jackbox Games, or Among Us for structured team gaming with a holiday twist during your virtual party.

Best options:

• Kahoot: Free, easy for large groups, create custom holiday quizzes
• Jackbox Games: $15-30 one-time purchase, hilarious party games for up to 8 players with others watching
• Among Us: $5, great for teams that enjoy social deduction games

34. Virtual Gift Exchange and Unboxing

Time: 30-45 minutes | Group size: 10-30 | Cost: $15-30 per person

If budget allows, send small holiday gifts ahead of time to employees. Unbox together during your virtual holiday celebration to share the excitement.

Gift ideas: Company swag, local treats, desk accessories, cozy items (candles, tea, socks), small tech gadgets

Pro tip: Include a note that says "Do not open until our holiday party" to build anticipation.

35. Ugly Sweater Fashion Show

Time: 20-30 minutes | Group size: Any | Cost: Free (participants supply sweaters)

Transform your event into an ugly sweater party by turning on cameras for a runway show complete with creative backstories. Add holiday music and commentary for an extra touch of fun.

How to make it memorable:

• Each person gets 30 seconds to "walk the runway" (stand up, turn around, pose)
• They explain their sweater's origin story
• Play upbeat holiday music in the background
• Award categories: Ugliest, Most Creative, Best Thrift Store Find, Most Lights/Decorations

How to Plan Your Virtual Holiday Party: Step-by-Step

Running a successful virtual holiday party requires more structure than in-person events. Here's exactly how to plan yours.

Step 1: Choose Your Party Duration

The right duration depends on your team's schedule, energy levels, and what you want to accomplish.

Why buffer time matters: Virtual events rarely start exactly on time, and transitions between activities take longer online. Build in 10-20 minutes of buffer time that you can use for late arrivals, technical issues, or extending activities that are going well.

Step 2: Select Your Activities

Choose 2-4 activities based on your duration. Mix different types for variety:

• Icebreaker (always start with one): Low-stakes, gets everyone talking, 10-15 minutes
• High-energy game: Competitive, gets people excited, 20-30 minutes
• Creative/collaborative activity: Builds connection, allows creativity, 20-30 minutes
• Recognition or reflection: Celebrates the team, 10-15 minutes

Sample 90-minute combination:

1. Holiday Bingo (icebreaker, 15 min)
2. Gingerbread House Contest (creative, 45 min including prep and voting)
3. Year in Review Video (recognition, 10 min)
4. Gratitude Circle (reflection, 10 min)

Step 3: Schedule for Maximum Attendance

Best dates: December 1-17 are ideal. Avoid the week of December 18-25 when people take time off.

Best times:

• Tuesday-Thursday work best (avoid Monday chaos and Friday early departures)
• 2-4 PM in your team's primary timezone (post-lunch lull, gives people an afternoon break)
• For global teams following a hybrid work model, consider running two sessions to accommodate different time zones

Advance notice: Send save-the-dates 3-4 weeks in advance, formal invitations 2 weeks out, and reminders 1 week and 1 day before.

Step 4: Handle Logistics

Technology setup:

• Choose your platform: Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet
• Test breakout room functionality if you'll use it
• Prepare any screen shares, videos, or presentations in advance
• Have a backup plan for technical issues

If you're shipping supplies:

• Collect addresses 4-5 weeks before the party
• Order supplies 3-4 weeks out
• Ship 5-7 days before the event (domestic US)
• Send tracking numbers and include "Do Not Open Until Party" labels

Communication plan:

• Week 4: Save-the-date announcement
• Week 3: Address collection (if shipping items)
• Week 2: Formal invitation with agenda
• Week 1: Reminder with Zoom link and any prep instructions
• Day before: Final reminder
• Day of: "Starting in 1 hour" message

Step 5: Run Your Party

Opening (first 10 minutes):

• Start playing holiday music as people join
• Welcome everyone and share the agenda
• Set expectations: cameras encouraged, participation optional for specific activities, this is a judgment-free zone
• Do a quick tech check: "Can everyone hear me? Drop a ✋ in chat if yes"

During activities:

• Keep energy high by staying enthusiastic as the host
• Use breakout rooms for groups over 15 people
• Monitor the chat for questions and engagement
• Transition smoothly between activities (use music during transitions)
• Take screenshots or record memorable moments

Managing participation:

• Some people won't want cameras on - that's okay
• Offer multiple ways to participate: speaking, chat, reactions
• Call on people gently but don't force anyone into the spotlight
• Celebrate all types of participation

Closing (last 10 minutes):

• Thank everyone for attending
• Share any final announcements
• Give a preview of upcoming team events
• End with a team photo (screenshot with everyone visible)
• Play everyone out with a favorite holiday song

Step 6: Follow Up After the Party

Within 24 hours:

• Send a thank you email with photos or video clips
• Share any resources (recipes, playlists, game results)
• Post photos to your team Slack or internal communication channel

Within 1 week:

• Send a brief survey: What did you enjoy? What would you change? Would you attend a similar event?
• Compile feedback for next year's planning
• Share survey results with your team

50-70% of an employee's work perception is influenced by their direct manager, so show you care about their experience.

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Measuring Success

Track what matters for your virtual holiday party:

• Participation rates: How many people attended vs. those invited? Aim for 70%+ attendance for a successful event.
• Camera usage: Were remote teammates comfortable being visible during your virtual party? Higher camera usage typically indicates comfort and engagement.
• Chat engagement: Did party guests actively participate in text discussions? Monitor message frequency and variety of participants.
• Breakout room energy: Were smaller group conversations productive? Check in on breakout rooms or ask facilitators for feedback.
• Post-event feedback: Would people attend similar virtual holiday events in the future? Survey within a week while the experience is fresh.

Companies with engaged workforces are 83% more likely to report improved global perspective. Your virtual celebration can be a catalyst for year-round team connection and stronger company culture. Use workplace analytics to track engagement patterns and optimize future events.

Budget-Friendly Virtual Holiday Party Ideas

Not every great virtual holiday party requires a big budget. Here are cost-effective approaches for your virtual holiday event:

Free Platform Options

• DIY Game Shows: Use free holiday trivia platforms like Kahoot and create your own holiday-themed questions.
• Collaborative Playlists: Use music platforms like Spotify for shared holiday music entertainment during your virtual party.
• Free Virtual Backgrounds: Create themed digital environments without physical setup using Zoom or Teams backgrounds.
• Screen sharing games: Use free online games like Skribbl.io, Codenames, or Gartic Phone.

Low-Cost Participation Ideas

• Potluck style: Ask everyone to bring their own snacks and drinks to the virtual party. Make it a theme: "Bring your favorite holiday treat."
• User-generated content: Let team members lead holiday team-building activities based on their skills. Someone might teach origami, another might lead a yoga session, another might share cooking tips.
• BYOB (Bring Your Own Baking): Host cookie decorating with supplies people already have at home. Provide a basic recipe and let people use whatever decorations they can find.
• Digital gift exchange: Use free e-gift cards ($5-10) instead of shipped physical gifts.

Smart Spending for Maximum Impact

If you have a modest budget ($10-20 per person), spend it on:

1. One shipped item that everyone uses together: Gingerbread house kits or hot chocolate mixes create shared experiences
2. Digital gift cards: $15-20 Grubhub/DoorDash cards so people can order their own food
3. Small prizes: $10-25 Amazon gift cards for game winners spread across multiple categories so many people win

Making Every Holiday Inclusive

Design virtual holiday celebrations that welcome everyone:

• Acknowledge Multiple Traditions: Include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Diwali (if timing works), and New Year celebrations in your virtual holiday party. Use "holiday" or "seasonal" language alongside specific holiday names.
• Offer Non-Religious Options: Frame virtual party activities around winter themes rather than only specific religious holidays. "Winter Wonderland" themes work for everyone.
• Consider Global Time Zones: Record activities for remote employees who can't attend your virtual holiday event live. Or run two sessions 8-12 hours apart.
• Respect Different Comfort Levels: Provide multiple ways to participate in holiday party ideas without pressure during your virtual party. Not everyone celebrates holidays, and that's okay too.
• Ask for input: Survey your team about their preferences and traditions before planning. This shows respect and helps you design something meaningful for your specific group.

29% of fully remote workers are engaged, surpassing the 20% engagement rate of their on-site counterparts. Your virtual holiday office party can be the kind of intentional engagement that makes the difference in strengthening team bonds.

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