Christmas party entertainment ideas for every kind of do

The right entertainment can make or break a Christmas party. Get it right and people are still talking about it in January. Get it wrong and you've paid for a band to play to an empty dance floor while everyone hides at the bar.

Here are the Christmas party entertainment ideas we'd suggest, with honest notes on what each one is good for. We're a magic agency, so we'll admit some bias in the first one. But we've watched all of these at work, so the notes are honest.

Close-up magic

A close-up magician moves between guests during drinks and goes from table to table at dinner, doing tricks inches from people's faces. It works brilliantly in the first hour, when people are still in their usual groups, because it gives them something to react to together.

It suits almost any Christmas party: office dos, company dinners, black tie balls and family get-togethers. It needs no stage and no sound system, and it works even in a busy restaurant. Browse our Christmas party magicians to see the range, from comedy to mind reading.

A stage or cabaret show

If you want a shared moment where everyone watches together, a stage act is the way to go. A magician doing a short cabaret spot after dinner, a mind reader picking volunteers from the audience or a full illusion show for a big Christmas ball. It gives the evening a centrepiece.

It does need a bit more planning, with a performing area, sound and lighting. Our Christmas stage show page explains what's involved.

Live music and DJs

A band or DJ is the obvious choice for the later part of the night. It works best once people have eaten, had a couple of drinks and loosened up. Don't book them for the start of the night and expect a packed dance floor. It rarely happens before nine.

A good tip is to send the DJ a list of songs the team loves, and a short list of songs you never want to hear again.

Mind reading and hypnosis

For something a little different from straight magic, a mind reader can be a real talking point. Guessing what a colleague is thinking, in front of their team, tends to get a bigger reaction than any card trick. Some acts, like Francis the Magician and Dodger the Magician, mix close-up magic with mind reading and hypnosis.

Hypnosis needs care at a work do. Make sure the act keeps it classy and only uses willing volunteers, so nobody's embarrassed in front of their manager.

Caricaturists and photo booths

Both give guests something to take home, which people love. A caricaturist works well during a drinks reception, though they can only draw one person at a time, so queues can form at a bigger event. Photo booths with festive props are great fun and are handy for the company's social media, as long as you ask people before posting.

Casino tables

Fun casino nights with blackjack and roulette tables played for chips are popular at bigger work parties. They give people something to do away from the dance floor, and a prize for the biggest winner adds some excitement. They need plenty of floor space, so check the venue can fit the tables. Ask whether the croupiers will teach beginners, too.

An MC or host

If your party has a lot going on, with awards, raffles, speeches and acts, a host keeps it all moving. Without one, the evening can stall while someone looks for the microphone or tries to work out who's next. A good compere introduces each part, keeps the energy up and fills any awkward pauses.

Some entertainers can do both. Ashley the Magician is a magician, MC and compere, so he can perform and run the evening.

Games and quizzes

The cheapest entertainment of all. A quiz between courses, a Secret Santa swap or a couple of quick team games can be just as much fun as anything you pay for. Our list of Christmas party games has loads of ideas with instructions.

Matching entertainment to your party

Small team lunch: close-up magic or a quiz. Keep it simple and personal. Office party in a bar: close-up magic early, then a DJ. Sit-down company dinner: table magic between courses, and perhaps a short cabaret spot. Black tie Christmas ball: close-up magic at the reception, a headline stage act, then a band. Family Christmas party: magic that works for all ages, plus some party games for the children.

Think about the room, the crowd and the time of day. Loud entertainment in a small restaurant can drown out conversation, and a quiet act in a big ballroom can get lost. Pitch it to the space and the people.

Something for the people who don't dance

At every party there's a group who'll never set foot on the dance floor. Don't forget them. Close-up magic, a casino table or a quiet area with games gives them somewhere to be while the others dance. A Christmas party should work for the whole team, not just the ones who know every word to Mr Brightside.

Mixing and matching

Most good Christmas parties use more than one kind of entertainment, at different points in the night. A typical setup we see is close-up magic during the drinks and dinner, a short stage spot or awards after the meal, then a DJ for the rest of the night. Each one hands over to the next, and there's never a flat spell.

If you're not sure what would suit your party, get in touch. Tell us about the venue, the crowd and the date, and we'll give you an honest view.