A Christmas event does not need a long list of attractions to feel special. It needs a few well-chosen moments that suit the audience, the venue and the time available.
There is a big difference between entertaining 150 colleagues after an awards presentation, welcoming families to a community Christmas fair and offering visitors a quick activity at a December exhibition. Planning for those differences helps you spend your event budget on features people will actually use.
Give the office Christmas party something beyond the dance floor
Food, speeches and music may already be organised, but what happens when guests first arrive? Informal games give colleagues something to do while conversations get started. A small competitive area can also be useful for guests who prefer an activity to dancing.
Consider a fast-moving Batak reaction challenge for short turns, with retro arcade games available for more relaxed entertainment. A photo booth gives colleagues a different way to take part, particularly towards the end of the evening.
For an awards night, keep energetic activities away from presentations and formal dining. For a team social, you may prefer a simple running score challenge that colleagues can enter whenever they like rather than a fixed tournament schedule.
Make festive refreshments part of the experience
Winter events are as much about atmosphere as entertainment. A warm drinks point provides a natural place to stop, while seasonal treats can make a larger venue feel more welcoming.
Something warm
A hot chocolate cart suits Christmas markets, staff events and seasonal hospitality areas, particularly where guests will be arriving from outdoors.
Something to share
A s'mores station can add a seasonal dessert experience. Check the serving arrangements and venue suitability when planning the setup.
Classic winter flavours
Roasted chestnuts bring a familiar festive touch to suitable winter markets and community celebrations.
A more personal finish
A personalised Pick 'n' Mix stand can work for promotional events or staff celebrations where presentation matters.
When comparing food stations, establish guest numbers, service duration, access to power, dietary requirements and the available catering space before finalising the arrangement.
Build a Christmas corner children will want to visit
Family Christmas days often work best when they offer something for different ages rather than expecting everyone to queue for one attraction. A festive photo area can create a focal point, while games and refreshments give visitors other things to enjoy.
Our Father Christmas throne chair can form part of a grotto or festive photo setting, and a life-size Father Christmas figure adds another seasonal prop. A snow machine may help create a winter atmosphere where the venue, surface and operating conditions are suitable.
If an event also includes inflatables or children's play equipment, plan separate zones, appropriate supervision and clear access routes. Any catering heat sources or open flames must be kept well away from inflatables, play areas and combustible decorations.
Christmas exhibitions can still mean serious business
At a busy seasonal trade show, the purpose of an attraction may be to open a conversation rather than to fill an evening. A brief, accessible challenge provides a natural introduction without requiring visitors to commit to a long activity.
Businesses can use the same approach at internal conferences, year-end client events or promotional roadshows. Where applicable, games and refreshments may sit alongside branded displays or giveaways. Explore our exhibition entertainment and event games for more ways to build interaction into a stand or hospitality area.
Keep the visitor journey in mind: a clear invitation to participate, space for spectators, somewhere for the exhibiting team to speak with guests and a straightforward next step after the activity.
Winter events need a little extra preparation
Cold weather, busy venue diaries and short setup windows can complicate Christmas bookings. A quick practical check before committing to equipment helps avoid last-minute changes.
- Confirm the venue rules. Check whether catering equipment, special effects, amplified sound and decorations are permitted.
- Check the footprint. Allow room for queues, equipment, staff, power connections and accessible circulation routes.
- Plan indoor or outdoor arrangements. Weather-sensitive equipment may need shelter or an alternative setup, and inflatables must only operate within safe weather conditions.
- Agree delivery and collection times. Ask about loading bays, lifts, restricted access and the time available before guests arrive.
- Keep safety and hospitality separate. Position heating, hot food and any open flames away from inflatables, decorations and busy play areas.
- Book early where possible. Popular dates in November and December can require more coordination, especially for multi-item hires.
Choose the guest experience first. Then confirm the equipment, floor space and running order that will make it possible.
Planning a Christmas party in Birmingham or the Midlands?
Midlands Premier Events is based near the NEC and has supported events since 2010. We work with organisers planning celebrations, exhibitions and corporate functions in Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and the surrounding Midlands. Enquiries for events elsewhere in the UK can also be considered according to booking requirements.
Whether you are arranging a small office gathering or a substantial winter event, start with the date, venue, approximate attendance and the atmosphere you want to create. Those details make it much easier to narrow down the right entertainment and refreshments.