The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Party Games for Large Groups

The holiday season brings with it one of the year’s most anticipated events — the office Christmas party, the big family gathering, or the community holiday celebration. These occasions are filled with joy, laughter, and festive spirit, but organizing activities that keep everyone entertained can be a challenge. That’s where Christmas party games for large groups come in. These games are designed to engage dozens (or even hundreds) of participants, spark friendly competition, and create unforgettable memories that last long after the last ornament is packed away. Whether you’re planning an indoor celebration or an outdoor winter wonderland, this comprehensive guide will help you choose, organize, and host games that everyone will love.

When you have a large crowd, it’s easy for people to form smaller circles and disengage from the main festivities. Group games are the perfect way to bring everyone together. They encourage mingling, laughter, teamwork, and a shared sense of holiday cheer.

Here are a few key benefits:

• Break the ice: Even if not everyone knows each other, games give guests an easy way to connect.

• Encourage participation: Structured play keeps energy high and avoids awkward downtime.

• Promote inclusivity: Team-based activities allow everyone — from kids to grandparents — to get involved.

• Create lasting memories: Few things bond people faster than shared laughter and friendly competition.

Whether you’re hosting an office celebration, a church social, or a neighborhood event, group games help transform your gathering into a highlight of the season.

Before you jump into the fun, take a moment to plan strategically. A well-organized approach ensures the games run smoothly and everyone has a great time.

1. Know Your Audience

Consider who will attend. Are they coworkers, children, adults, or a mix of all ages? Tailor the games accordingly. Adults may enjoy trivia and competitive challenges, while families with kids will love active, silly games that get everyone moving.

2. Set a Time Limit

The average attention span for party games ranges from 10 to 30 minutes. Plan several shorter games rather than one long one to keep things fresh and flexible.

3. Prepare in Advance

Gather materials, test props, and ensure enough space. For very large groups, assign helpers to manage teams or scorekeeping.

4. Balance Energy Levels

Alternate between high-energy and relaxed games. For example, follow a physical relay with a trivia quiz or a creative challenge.

5. Offer Small Prizes

Prizes add excitement — even simple rewards like candy canes, ornaments, or gift cards motivate participants to play enthusiastically.

Below are tried-and-true ideas that work beautifully with big gatherings. These range from classic favorites to creative new twists that guarantee laughter.

1. Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Split everyone into teams of 5–10 people. Give each team a list of holiday-themed items to find around the venue — a red ornament, a Santa hat, a candy cane, or a Christmas card. Include bonus points for creative selfies or team photos with the items. The first team to complete the list (or score the most items in 15 minutes) wins.

Tip: Add a digital twist by using phone cameras and share results in a group chat or slideshow at the end.

2. Christmas Charades

Divide into large teams. Write down holiday movies, songs, and seasonal actions (e.g., “wrapping presents,” “building a snowman”) on slips of paper. Each team takes turns acting them out while others guess. To make it suitable for large crowds, use microphones or a stage area so everyone can see the performances.

Variation: Try “Reverse Charades” — one person guesses while the entire team acts out the clue together!

3. Gift Wrap Relay

For this hilarious challenge, set up a long table with wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and boxes. Each team lines up. One person must run to the table, wrap a box as best they can, and tag the next teammate. The goal: wrap three gifts in the shortest time. The catch? Participants must wear oven mitts while wrapping!

This game never fails to get the room roaring with laughter.

4. Christmas Trivia Showdown

Test everyone’s holiday knowledge with a trivia competition. Prepare questions about Christmas movies, carols, world traditions, and history. Divide guests into teams of 6–8. Project questions on a screen or read them aloud. Award points for correct answers and small prizes for winning teams.

Example questions:

• What beverage is known as “milk punch” during the holidays?

• In Home Alone, where is the McCallister family headed for Christmas vacation?

• What year was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first recorded?

5. Human Christmas Tree

This is a fun, photo-worthy game for large groups. Divide into teams of 5–8. Choose one volunteer per team to be the “tree.” The others must decorate them using tinsel, garlands, ornaments, and ribbons in five minutes. When time’s up, judges (or the audience) vote for the most creative, funniest, or most festive “tree.”

Add Christmas music to elevate the mood and end with a mini parade for photos.

6. Pass the Ornament

This is an energetic game that requires coordination. Have everyone form teams and stand in single-file lines. The goal is to pass a Christmas ornament down the line — using only spoons held in their mouths! If anyone drops it, the team starts over. The first team to get the ornament to the end without dropping wins.

To make it easier for large groups, you can set up multiple lanes for simultaneous play.

7. The 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Split the crowd into 12 teams and assign each one a verse from the “12 Days of Christmas.” Give them a few minutes to come up with a short skit or performance for their verse — complete with props, singing, or interpretive dance. When everyone performs in sequence, the result is chaotic, hilarious, and heartwarming.

This is perfect for office parties or community centers where there’s a stage and microphone.

8. Christmas Pictionary

A classic drawing game with a festive twist. Prepare a list of Christmas-related words or phrases — like “mistletoe,” “snowball fight,” “Santa’s sleigh,” or “fruitcake.” Players take turns drawing while their team guesses. Use a large whiteboard or projector for big groups so everyone can see the artwork.

For extra fun, use online tools or apps that randomize prompts and keep score automatically.

9. Snowball Toss

If you have a gym or outdoor space, this active game works great. Use white paper balls (or soft toy snowballs) and buckets or baskets. Each team tries to toss as many “snowballs” into their bucket from a distance in 60 seconds. Add difficulty by increasing the throwing line after each round.

It’s fast-paced, safe, and suitable for both adults and kids.

10. Name That Christmas Tune

Play short clips of holiday songs — classic carols or pop hits — and have teams race to guess the title. Award bonus points for naming the artist or singing the next line. This game creates instant nostalgia and energy.

If you have musicians, make it live: let someone play on guitar or piano and have teams shout out guesses.

If you want to keep the momentum going, sprinkle in mini-games or quick challenges between meals and gift exchanges. These don’t require much setup and keep the party dynamic.

Candy Cane Hunt

Hide dozens of candy canes around the venue. Guests hunt for them individually or in teams. Offer a grand prize for whoever finds the golden candy cane.

Ugly Sweater Contest

Invite everyone to show off their worst (or best) holiday sweaters. Create categories like “Most Sparkly,” “Funniest,” or “Best Homemade.”

Holiday Bingo

Distribute bingo cards with squares like “someone wearing reindeer antlers” or “ate too many cookies.” Guests mingle and mark off matches. The first to complete a row shouts “Ho Ho Ho!”

Secret Santa Gift Swap Game

Turn your gift exchange into a game. Try variations like “White Elephant” or “Yankee Swap” where participants can “steal” gifts from others. It keeps everyone entertained until the last present is opened.

Running Christmas party games for large groups can feel like herding reindeer — fun but chaotic. Use these tips to keep things festive and organized:

1. Assign Game Hosts

Designate one or two confident, energetic people to explain rules and keep energy up. A good host makes all the difference.

2. Use a Microphone or Speaker

In a large room, it’s easy for instructions to get lost in the noise. A mic ensures everyone can hear what’s happening.

3. Keep Rules Simple

Overly complicated games lose momentum. Stick to straightforward directions and visual demonstrations.

4. Mix Teams Randomly

Encourage socializing by mixing departments, families, or friend groups. Randomized teams create new connections.

5. Use Visual Aids

Display timers, scoreboards, or prompts on a projector or whiteboard so everyone stays on track.

6. Reward Enthusiasm

Sometimes the most spirited team deserves recognition even if they don’t win. Give out small “Spirit of Christmas” awards for creativity or teamwork.

If your event includes remote participants — perhaps some coworkers are joining via Zoom — you can adapt many of these Christmas party games for large groups to virtual formats.

• Online Trivia: Use platforms like Kahoot or Mentimeter for interactive questions.

• Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Ask participants to find items in their homes (e.g., something red, something that jingles).

• Holiday Zoom Background Contest: See who can design the funniest or most festive virtual background.

• Christmas Karaoke: Let participants take turns performing their favorite songs via screen share.

• Online Bingo: Use digital bingo cards that auto-mark squares during the event.

These options keep everyone included, no matter where they’re celebrating from.

Christmas parties are about more than food and decorations — they’re about shared joy and connection. The right Christmas party games for large groups can transform any gathering from ordinary to extraordinary, leaving participants with laughter, stories, and maybe even a new tradition to carry forward.

As you plan your event, remember:

• Keep it inclusive and lighthearted.

• Focus on togetherness over competition.

• Celebrate effort and creativity as much as victory.

Whether you choose a spirited scavenger hunt, a creative costume contest, or a laugh-filled relay race, the key is to spread cheer and foster community spirit. After all, the best gift of the holiday season isn’t under the tree — it’s the fun and laughter we share with others.