Looking to spice up your next corporate party or event while sticking to a budget? From interactive games to themed parties to exciting performers, these fun entertainment ideas for corporate events will keep your guests engaged and energized. Explore these unique activities to ensure your next gathering stands out!
Celebratory and Social Events
Between the holidays and important milestones, there are many occasions to celebrate and be social as a business. Keep it interesting and entertaining with lighter-hearted corporate event ideas, like ugly sweater contests, festive live music, and carnival games.
Holiday Parties
Looking to make your holiday celebration stand out? These fun and creative ideas will surely bring excitement, laughter, and unforgettable moments to your party.
🧶 Host an ugly sweater party: Invite everyone to dress their worst and give out prizes for the best (ugliest) garb.
🔎 Solve a murder: Put on your detective hats with a murder mystery party. Assign roles, provide clues, and let them work together to crack the case.
🎬 Watch holiday movies: Host a themed movie night with tasty treats and cinema-based decor.
Company Anniversaries and Milestones
Celebrating a company anniversary or milestone is a perfect opportunity to create a noteworthy event that reflects your journey and achievements.
🧠 Test your knowledge: Celebrate your company’s history with a trivia contest that dives into key milestones and fun facts.
🍸 Celebrate with a cocktail: Host a cocktail hour with a professional bartender who can whip up signature drinks or teach a mixology class.
📼 Throw it back: Plan an era-themed event, like a 90s party, to honor a business milestone and transport guests back in time.
Grand Openings and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies
A grand opening or ribbon-cutting ceremony is a great time to celebrate new beginnings. Here are a few entertainment ideas to make your ceremony a success!
📸 Set up a DIY photo booth: Have a themed backdrop with fun props for instant social media moments.
🎸 Host live music: A singing guitarist or small acoustic band adds a lively touch to your event, setting the right mood.
🎪 Play carnival entertainment: Set up carnival games like bean bags, ring toss, and offer popcorn and cotton candy. Take it a step further with popular circus entertainers like jugglers, clowns, and aerialists.
Employee and Client Engagement Events
Supporting your team members and customers can help strengthen relationships, boost morale, and foster a sense of community. From fun team-building activities to family-friendly games, these budget-friendly corporate event entertainment ideas can improve company culture and create memorable moments.
Employee and Client Appreciation Events
With a variety of activities, you can create an enjoyable employee or client appreciation experience that will help communicate how much you care.
😆 Book a comedy act: A stand-up comedian brings laughter and fun, making it a fantastic way to break the ice and create a relaxed atmosphere.
🎯 Play interactive games: Office Olympics, relay races, or scavenger hunts are a great way to promote collaboration, friendly competition, and team spirit.
🎨 Set up an arts and crafts station: From painting to DIY projects, a hands-on activity allows people to engage in a relaxing and fun experience.
Company Picnics and Family Days
Company picnics and family days are all about fun and togetherness, offering a chance to relax and enjoy quality time. With the right entertainment and activities, you can make it a hit for guests of all ages.
🤹 Hire a kid’s entertainer: Book a face painter or balloon twister to keep the little ones entertained and leave them with a fun, colorful creation to show off.
🏓 Set up yard games: Offer games and activities like giant Jenga, water balloon tosses, and sack races to bring out everyone’s competitive spirit. Include prizes for the winning teams/players.
🎧 Have a DJ: Book a professional DJ to keep the music going, ensuring your event has the perfect soundtrack.
Team-Building Events
Team-building events can help strengthen connections, encourage collaboration, and create lasting memories. With a mix of fun, interactive, and engaging activities, your team can bond meaningfully and enjoyably.
🧘 Support healthy living: Book a dance instructor or yoga instructor to lead your team in a fun, rejuvenating activity.
🔐 Go to an escape room: Test your team’s problem-solving skills with an exciting escape room experience.
🎳 Host a bowling night: Dress in 1970s fashion and go bowling together for a nostalgic and playful evening!
Business Development and Industry Events
Business development and industry events are key to building relationships, expanding knowledge, and creating lasting impressions in a professional setting. Whether you’re hosting a conference, networking mixer, or award ceremony, incorporating some unique activities can elevate the overall experience.
Conferences and Trade Shows
Conferences and trade shows are valuable opportunities to engage attendees and make connections. Set yourself apart from the competition with creative entertainment ideas.
🧑🎨 Provide unique keepsakes: Hire a caricaturist to draw attendees and provide them with something unique.
🪄 Book a magician: Invite a strolling magician to roam around the event, creating instant engagement.
🙋♂️ Offer tasty treats: Set up a simple buffet of snacks or book concessions like snow cone machines or gourmet cotton candy.
Networking Events and Mixers
Networking events and mixers are all about bringing people together in a fun and engaging way. Create an atmosphere that encourages conversation, connection, and meaningful interactions.
🗣️ Provide networking bingo: Create bingo cards with fun facts or industry-related prompts (e.g., “Find someone who has worked abroad”).
🎁 Offer swag: Set up a mystery prize wheel and let attendees spin for small, fun prizes (gift cards, branded swag, or an extra drink ticket).
🧑💼 Invite a motivational speaker: Offer insights from industry leaders through hiring a knowledgeable speaker.
Award Ceremonies and Gala Dinners
Award ceremonies and gala dinners are a chance to celebrate achievements in a stylish and impactful way. Set the right tone with classy music, great food, and a fun photo opp.
🎹 Set the tone with classy music: Enhance the ambiance with elegant background melodies from a jazz pianist.
📸 Roll out the red carpet: Invite guests to feel like celebrities with a red carpet for unique photo moments.
🎲 Host a casino night: Test your luck with a casino party. Use DIY game stations like poker or roulette with fake money for friendly competition.
The right entertainment ideas for corporate events can transform an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary experience. Simple, creative entertainment ideas like a fun trivia contest or classic yard games can have a significant impact. With a bit of creativity, you can host an unforgettable event without breaking the bank!
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.