7 Holiday Party Icebreaker Games for Work
Get Coworkers Mixing at the Holiday Party
The holiday party is the one night the whole company is in the same room.
But most people spend it with their own team.
These holiday party icebreaker games for work fix that.
1. Holiday Jam Bingo (QR Code Holiday Party Game)
Best for: 20 to 1,000 Employees
Jam Bingo gives each coworker one holiday prompt at a time on their phone.
Find someone who matches, chat, scan their QR code, and unlock the next prompt.
- Find someone who is traveling for the holidays.
- Find someone who makes a family recipe every year.
- Find someone from a team you've never worked with.
Start from the office holiday party template or the holiday networking mixer template.
2. Holiday Would You Rather
Best for: Opening the Holiday Party
Read a question like 'Would you rather wrap 100 gifts or bake 100 cookies?'
Everyone walks to a side of the room, then explains their pick to someone nearby.
3. White Elephant with a Story Twist
Best for: Teams of 10 to 30
Run a normal gift swap, with one rule.
Before you steal a gift, you have to ask its owner one question.
4. Year in Review Pairs
Best for: Reflective Holiday Gatherings
Pair coworkers from different teams.
Each shares their best moment of the year in 60 seconds, then swaps partners.
5. Holiday Movie Trivia Teams
Best for: Seated Holiday Dinners
Mix departments at each table and run 15 questions on holiday movies and songs.
Trivia is fun, but it keeps people at their tables, so pair it with a mingling game.
6. Ornament Match-Up
Best for: Arrivals and Check-In
Hand out half of a paper ornament at the door.
Guests find the coworker holding the other half and grab a drink together.
7. Gratitude Shoutout Cards
Best for: Closing the Holiday Party
Coworkers write a thank-you to someone who helped them this year.
Read a few out loud before the night ends.
How to Pick a Holiday Party Icebreaker Game
- Under 30 people: White Elephant twist or Year in Review Pairs.
- 30 to 100 people: Holiday Jam Bingo plus an opener like Would You Rather.
- 100+ people: Holiday Jam Bingo, since everyone plays at once.
Keep Holiday Party Games Inclusive
Write prompts about winter, food, travel and the year that was.
That way everyone can join in, whatever they celebrate.
Create Your Holiday Party Icebreaker
One QR code. Holiday prompts. The whole company talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good icebreaker games for a work holiday party?
Games that are quick, inclusive and get people out of their team groups. Holiday Jam Bingo, Holiday Would You Rather and a White Elephant with a story twist all work well.
What holiday party game works for 100+ employees?
Jam Bingo. Everyone scans one QR code and gets holiday conversation prompts on their phone, one at a time. Everyone plays at the same time, and there's nothing to print.
How do I keep holiday party games inclusive?
Keep prompts about winter, food, travel and the year that was, not one specific holiday. That way everyone can play.
When should we run an icebreaker at the holiday party?
Early. Start it within the first 15 to 30 minutes, before people settle into their usual groups for the rest of the night.