15 Fun & Festive Virtual Holiday Party Ideas for Remote Teams

The holiday season is the perfect time to show appreciation, spread cheer, and bring your team together, even when working remotely.

A virtual holiday party can be just as festive and memorable as an in-person event, especially when planned with creativity and a clear focus on team bonding.

Whether you’re planning for a fully remote company or a hybrid workforce, here are 15 virtual holiday party ideas to help your team celebrate in style.

1. Virtual Secret Santa

The classic gift exchange gets a digital twist! Use an online Secret Santa generator to randomly assign participants, set a budget, and ship gifts to each other’s homes. Open them together on a video call for shared excitement.

Pro tip: Add a theme like «local gifts» or «DIY» to keep it interesting.

2. Holiday-Themed Trivia Night

Host a fun trivia session centered around holiday traditions, movies, music, and food. Divide your team into small groups to encourage collaboration and add prizes for extra motivation.

3. Festive Cocktail (or Mocktail) Workshop

Hire a professional mixologist to guide your team through crafting delicious seasonal drinks. Ship out ingredient kits in advance so everyone can follow along.

Great for end-of-year relaxation and a touch of elegance!

4. Virtual Ugly Sweater Contest

Invite everyone to show up in their most outrageous holiday sweaters and vote for the best, worst, and most creative outfits. Add fun categories and digital prizes.

5. Cozy Holiday Movie Watch Party

Use tools like Teleparty or Kast to watch a classic holiday film together. Encourage everyone to bring snacks, hot cocoa, and fuzzy socks for a warm, cozy vibe.

6. Virtual Escape Room

Challenge your team to solve puzzles and «escape» a digital room within a set time. Holiday-themed escape rooms are available and perfect for boosting collaboration and communication.

7. Holiday Bingo

Create custom bingo cards with festive prompts like “dog barking during the call,” “someone wears a Santa hat,” or “shares a favorite holiday dish.” It’s a hilarious and lighthearted way to keep the energy up.

8. Team Talent Show

Let your team members shine with a short performance: music, poetry, magic tricks, or even holiday jokes. It’s a fantastic way to build camaraderie and discover hidden talents.

9. Virtual Cookie Decorating Party

Ship cookie kits to employees’ homes and decorate together over a Zoom call. Choose a theme (snowflakes, reindeer, etc.), then vote on the most creative creations.

10. DIY Ornament Workshop

Send a DIY ornament kit and host a crafting session. Not only is it relaxing and festive, but everyone gets a keepsake for their tree!

11. Charity Drive or Virtual Volunteering

Give back during the holidays. Let employees vote on a cause, raise donations together, or even do a virtual volunteering session as a group.

12. Holiday Scavenger Hunt (Home Edition)

Create a list of holiday-themed items for team members to find in their homes. Think candy canes, wrapping paper, festive socks, etc. First one to complete the list wins!

13. Virtual Holiday Awards

Celebrate your team’s wins with fun (and funny) awards, like “Best Zoom Background” or “Most Likely to Mute Themselves While Talking.” Include real recognition too, to show your appreciation.

14. Digital Photo Booth

Use a virtual photo booth tool with holiday-themed filters, props, and frames. Everyone gets a fun souvenir of the party, and you can create a shared gallery afterward.

15. Remote Holiday Dinner with Meal Delivery

Send lunch or dinner to your team using food delivery services, then enjoy a shared meal virtually. Pair it with games, toasts, or storytelling to keep the vibe festive.

Bonus: Hire a Virtual Event Planner 

Want a seamless and unforgettable virtual holiday party? Let professional planners (like us at eBombo) take the stress off your plate. From logistics to live entertainment and interactive experiences, we specialize in turning remote events into real celebrations.

How to Organize a Virtual Holiday Party

Planning a virtual holiday party that brings your team together in a meaningful, fun way takes more than just sending out a calendar invite. Whether you’re recreating classic holiday traditions or exploring new virtual activities, a well-structured approach will ensure your team feels the holiday spirit, even from their own house.

Here’s how many organizations successfully organize company holiday parties that feel just as joyful as an in-person office holiday party:

1. Choose the Right Platform and Time

Select a reliable video conferencing tool like Google Meet or Zoom and schedule the party during a time when the majority of your team is available. Hosting the party during the afternoon allows people to wind down from work while still preserving their evening rest time.

If your team is global, consider hosting two teams or time zone-specific versions of the event with smaller teams in breakout rooms to make it more intimate and engaging.

2. Pick a Theme and Plan the Flow

Every good party starts with a theme. Whether it’s Christmas in Pajamas, Winter Wonderland, or a Festive Talent Show, a theme helps set the tone and guide your activities. You can kick things off with a short welcome message and a toast to present the schedule for the event.

Mix in a variety of interactive games and team building activities such as:

• Virtual holiday bingo using holiday themed words like “reindeer,” “mistletoe,” or “snowman”
• A trivia game about Christmas movies, songs, or history
• A fun game of Pictionary or charades using holiday spirit prompts
• A virtual holiday concert or karaoke session to showcase your team’s festive talent

Including these activities is a fun way to foster connection and boost morale.

3. Create a Festive Atmosphere

Even without an office space, you can create a festive atmosphere online. Encourage everyone to dress up in Christmas sweaters or hats, decorate their house or background, and set the mood with a shared holiday playlist. You might even host a virtual contest for the most creative virtual background or Christmas outfit.

4. Add Structure with Hosts and Segments

Assign one or two team members to lead the event like hosts of a show. This helps keep the event on track and adds a personal sense of connection. Break the event into segments, for example, 10 minutes for games, 15 minutes for present exchanges, and so on.

5. Give Out Small Prizes and Keepsakes

Incorporate a bit of friendly competition by offering small prizes for winners of each fun game or contest. Whether it’s a gift card, digital swag, or even a present shipped to their house, these little touches add excitement and leave everyone feeling appreciated.

You can also send digital holiday cards or personalized video messages as a token of gratitude. It’s a great present that says “thank you” to your team for their hard work.

6. Include Everyone

Make sure your virtual activities are inclusive and accessible. From introverts to extroverts, everyone should feel like they have a place at the table. Offering multiple fun virtually options like a virtual holiday bingo game for some and a virtual holiday concert for others ensures there’s something for everyone.

By following this structure, your office holiday party can go from a bland video call to a joyful, connection-driven experience that rivals even the best Christmas gatherings. It’s a fun way to celebrate holidays, show appreciation, and build lasting memories with your team and friends, no matter where they are.

Final Thoughts

Just because your team is remote doesn’t mean the holidays can’t be fun and engaging. With a little creativity and the right tools, your virtual holiday party can become a highlight of the year, boosting morale, encouraging connection, and reinforcing a strong company culture.