2025 Christmas Party Trends

Quick Takeaways

• Connection first – Hybrid culture means events must deliberately create moments for colleagues to bond.
• Immersive design – All-sensory, maximalist décor is in; subtle minimalism is out.
• Nostalgia works – Playful, familiar touches create emotional warmth and joy.
• Smarter timing – Midweek and early-evening events boost attendance and can cut costs.
• The ‘Year of Feeling’ – Guests remember how the event made them feel above all else.

Acknowledge the culture shift

There’s a continued focus this year on shifting working culture and what that means for events. Over the past few years, there’s been a noticeable rise in non-alcoholic alternatives. With 1 in 5 of us now choosing not to drink, mocktails have become a firm fixture for caterers and bars. But this year, the shift isn’t so much about what we drink – it’s about how we work and how we connect.

Working from home once felt like a novelty after Covid, but it’s now firmly the norm. With less time in the office, there are fewer opportunities to get to know colleagues on a personal level. And that changes how we approach events.

All senses engaged

The word of 2025? Immersive. In a world driven by TikTok and short-form content, you’ve only got about nine seconds to grab someone’s attention – down from two and a half minutes pre-Covid. It’s a tough gig! The word “immersive” gets thrown around a lot, but at its core, it means creating experiences that spark conversation and get people involved. No-one wants to be stuck making awkward small talk – they want something to do.

Full sensory overload

We’re moving on from minimalism and ‘clean girl’ aesthetics. Extra is in, and events are no different. Immersive events naturally lean into a more maximalist style. It’s not just about what guests see – it’s what they hear, smell, taste and feel.

Check out this spectacular Prohibition-themed Corporate Christmas party we delivered for 400 guests in London.

Take a ‘New York, New York’ theme. Sure, a live jazz band and hot dog stand would tick the boxes. But what if you took it up a notch? Imagine arriving to flashing lights, taxi horns blaring and the buzz of chatter in the air on Brooklyn streets. Check your makeup in a backstage dressing room mirror before you walk through a red velvet curtain. The show is about to begin. There’s a street performer juggling in one corner; a bagel shop to the left, a pizza slice stand to the right; and all around you are electric billboards, theatre posters and a towering Statue of Liberty. Take your theme and super-size it. Your guests will talk about it for years.

Touch-point interaction

If that feels a bit full-on, there’s another route: interactive touch-points. These are themed stations designed to get people talking, most importantly, to each other. Think of garden games at a wedding but tailored to any theme. An snowboard simulator for an après ski party. A glitter face-painter at a festival-themed do. These additions don’t just entertain, they encourage guests to interact with the event and with each other – they connect people.

We applied this thinking to one of our long-standing clients’ last company Christmas party. Having delivered their annual end of year party for the past eight years, we know how important it is to keep innovating and delighting.

Back to Basics

These interactive touchpoints also tap into another big trend: nostalgia.

Games and playful activities help break the ice, but more than that, they tap into a feeling; that carefree joy of school sports day or running round the playground. Remember when Rob from Marketing beat the MD in desk chair race chairs, as part of the office Olympics? Iconic. Nostalgic touches help dial down the adulting and allow guests to lean into the fun.

We’re seeing a return to classic, stripped-back themes. In a world increasingly dominated by AI and hyper-digital experiences, we’re going back to basics. Stuck for ideas for an anniversary? Throw a birthday party. Giant cake, party hats, balloons. Remember that pony you always dreamt of? Why not have one? It’s silly, it’s fun, and it makes people smile.

When it comes to Christmas, don’t be afraid to go full festive. Stockings, presents, and old-school Christmas films on loop. Michael Buble crooning in the background and the anticipation of Santa coming down the chimney. Recreate that cosy Christmas morning magic – the warmth, the familiarity, the sparkle.

One to go one step further? Check out this magical Narnia-themed Christmas party we designed and delivered for one of our private clients.

We’re seeing a real shift in when events happen. More are being scheduled for days when people are naturally in the office. Thursdays have long been popular, but Wednesdays are now just as in demand as Fridays. It’s all thanks to hybrid working – people are more likely to attend if the event falls on a day they’re already in the office.

In that same spirit, another growing trend is combining events. Instead of running a business update and hosting a separate party, many are opting to roll them into one. Town hall by day, celebration by night. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and makes the commute feel worthwhile. We’ve seen it this summer, and expect Christmas to follow suit.

This Futuristic Corporate End-of-Year Event focused on connecting teams and celebrating success – with a touch of magical Christmas sparkle

Timings are evolving too. Instead of the traditional dinner-then-dancing format, more events are kicking off in the afternoon and wrapping up early evening. Guests get their party fix, but still make the last train home. Or they can carry on elsewhere if they fancy – the choice is theirs.

The year of feeling

2025 is shaping up to be the year of feeling. Whether it’s the touch of faux snow underfoot, the comfort of a warm drink, or the emotional lift of a game – events are becoming less about spectacle and more about experience. Alcohol might have once been the key to getting the party going, but now there’s a whole world of ways to keep your guests entertained, surprised and delighted. Let the experience do the talking.