Updated September 18th, 2026
Dallas residents don’t need to see snow on the ground to get in the holiday spirit! Between the twinkling Christmas lights on every house and the holiday treats and drinks in every store it’s hard not to feel festive in this town. Treat your team to their best work holiday party yet, by utilizing this list of the best activities, venues, themes, gifts, and games in Dallas for the 2026 holiday season.
Since 2011, we’ve helped organizers create 5-star dining experiences that connect people better. From team building offsites and corporate events to milestone celebrations, we specialize in elevated experiences that go beyond the traditional dinner. Because connection doesn’t happen over boring meals.
Ditch the same old holiday party activities. Try these uniquely engaging turnkey experiences that bring the holiday cheer and let you sit back and enjoy it.
Play with your food in this fun, interactive dining experience! Enjoy a 4-course meal with beverage pairings, plus 3 hosted activities. Think hands-on Christmas cocktails, holiday foodie trivia, and quirky candy cane tasting!
Book a unique happy hour event for your group, featuring 5 canapés, 2 beverages, and 3 awesome holiday activities to get people mixing and mingling naturally.
If you want to host your team building onsite, or you already have a venue in mind, Avital’s Interactive Foodie Stations are a great add-on. They’re all-inclusive bars where your guests can mix and mingle as they taste and create.
Dallas has a lot of holiday spirit which means there is so much to do around town this season! I’ve narrowed it down to the activities that go above and beyond your average holiday fare and bring maximum festive joy per minute.
You may have experienced the Margarita Mile (a seasonal guided tour of Dallas’s best margs), but you probably haven’t heard of The Merry Mile. Take your team on this festive tour of Dallas’s best holiday margaritas for a holiday party full of festive drinks and raucous good fun.
Take your holiday party to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens this year. This beloved holiday tradition features stunning light displays, a charming Christmas village, and the iconic “12 Days of Christmas Gazebos” (which is in its last year, so don’t miss it)!
Dallas Zoo Lights is the best light show in town this year! There’s something nostalgic and awe-inspiring about an elaborate Christmas lights show, and with a festive drink and snack in hand it makes for a chill night of conversation and charming entertainment.
The best way to bring back the magic of the holidays that reminds you of being a kid is by spending a Snowday at Galleria Dallas. Take your team to this interactive arts experience that is part light show, part immersive Christmas story, and all magic!
The Christmas Pops Concert at Meyerson Symphony Center is a highly anticipated seasonal event. There’s no better way to get the holiday spirit than enjoying rousing renditions of Christmas classics and new arrangements of Holiday favorite songs.
Charcuterie Chalets are grown-up gingerbread houses made from ingredients typically found on a meat and cheese board. Your team can build them together from kits, or book a game-show-style experience where one house wins it all.
Everything is bigger, better, and more delicious in Texas! These restaurant venues have the best festive atmosphere for you corporate holiday party.
Beverley’s Bar & Bistro is a bright and welcoming neighborhood bistro that Paper City ranked one of the “10 Best New [Dallas] Restaurants”. Groups of 15-32 should consider this a perfect venue for their holiday party between the excellent menu, top-tier service, and beautiful interior.
If luxurious and modern is the vibe you want to curate, head Downtown La Stella, an exceptionally chic steakhouse. I love when a steakhouse executes perfect steaks as well as seafood, and has a robust wine list and great cocktails. Needless to say, La Stella checks all these boxes.
Sometimes the coziest holiday dinner is an authentic Italian feast. Partenope Ristorante is a rustic and lively Neapolitan restaurant in Downtown Dallas with a charming private dining space for intimate groups of 10-14 coworkers.
If you are looking for a casual venue for your holiday party with great food, and strong drinks, Meso Maya is the answer! Here, your team will enjoy excellent Mexican food alongside some of the best margaritas in Dallas (heavy competition) in a fun and bold environment.
Ziziki’s is a great restaurant venue for bigger groups as they have a capacity to seat up to 80 guests for your holiday celebration. This cozy, modern, Greek restaurant is Zagat rated, so you know you’re getting an elevated culinary experience and great service!
Themes elevate company holiday celebrations, creating unique experiences that your group will remember for the entire year. These innovative holiday party themes for work help companies distinguish their celebrations and add some whimsy to the holiday season.
Channel alpine luxury without leaving the Dallas. Faux-fur throws, twinkling lanterns, and hot toddy stations set the mood. Serve fondue, mini raclette plates, and gourmet s’mores made tableside. Guests can wear chic ski lodge attire — think cozy knits and champagne flutes.
Hire a Dallas magician like Matt Howard and infuse some Holiday magic into this year’s celebration. Embrace the theme with crystal balls, silver streamers, and playing card decorations.
Tropical holiday themes offer an escape from winter with Hawaiian shirts and summer vibes, providing a refreshing alternative to traditional winter celebrations. Be sure to feature tropical flowers, summer cocktails, and beach-themed decorations.
A murder mystery is an amazingly engaging theme. Encourage your group to dress up according to the theme you choose. You can hire actors and an event host who will be in character the entire time to really immerse everyone attending the party.
A vintage holiday theme featuring retro decorations from the 1950s has a nostalgic charm. Decorate with classic ornaments, vintage advertisements, and period-appropriate music. Dress in vintage xmas sweaters and dresses.
We all know the season isn’t about receiving gifts, BUT, some thoughtful, curated gifts never hurt anybody. Plus, they’re a great way to show appreciation. Whether you’re sending holiday party kits or organizing a gift exchange, here are our top picks for all comfort levels and budgets.
Personalized gift cards from local restaurants or popular retailers allow recipients to choose items they actually want while supporting local businesses. Coordination with local establishments can sometimes yield group discounts or special promotions.
Charity gift giving, supporting local food banks or toy drives, transforms gift exchanges into community service opportunities. Departments or teams can compete to collect the most donations, while individual contributions replace traditional gift exchanges.
To play White Elephant, everyone brings a secret gift to the party (within the budget you set). Then, one at a time, people will open a gift. As you go along, each subsequent person can choose to open an unopened gift or steal a gift that has already been opened.
Secret Santa exchanges with $25 budget limits and optional theme guidelines provide structure while maintaining surprise elements. Optional themes like “locally made items” or “books and experiences” can add creativity while maintaining budget consciousness.
High-quality branded items like fleece jackets, water bottles, or tech accessories feel more valuable than typical promotional items and create ongoing brand visibility. These gifts are stylish and utilitarian, which your team is sure to appreciate.
Unsure of what to wear to this year’s work holiday party? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
When in doubt, dress in the colors of the season! Red and green or silver and gold are never out of place at a company holiday party.
It’s finally the right time of year to pull out that hideous sweater your grandma gave you, that you feel too guilty to get rid of… The gaudier the better!
When the weather is cold, it’s the perfect time to experiment with layers in your style. A stylish trench coat or wool jacket, patterned tights, or a blouse over a sparkly long-sleeve top can take your office holiday party outfit to the next level.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a little extra dressed up to ring in the Holidays! A suit jacket, chic dress, or pantsuit is never out of place at an office holiday party.
Get Logistics Sorted: Date, headcount, budget, and goals are the first things that need to be confirmed before any planning happens.
Secure Your Venue: If your party is at the office, you can skip this step, but if it’s anywhere else, you need to be booking way in advance (as early as 6-9 months ahead).
Source Food & Drink: There are many ways to feed and water your party. You can choose traditional catering, book a turnkey food and drink experience, host at a restaurant, or even DIY it.
Keep it Engaging: Activities are essential for an engaging corporate holiday party. It gives people something to talk about and eliminates awkwardness.
Bear Inclusivity in Mind: We find that branding your celebration as a holiday party makes sure no one feels left out, no matter what holiday they’re celebrating this winter.
The earlier the better, since prime holiday dates fill up fast! 3-6 months in advance is best. Particularly if you are booking a popular venue or vendors.
A budget corporate holiday party at the office will likely cost $50- $100 pp. A party at a restaurant, event venue, or sports and game complex will cost closer to $75-$300pp.
This is the dealer’s choice! The benefit of a party during work hours is typically a higher attendance rate. The benefit of after-hours is that it can feel more festive and easier to get loose and relax.
This depends on your budget and event goals. An in-office party is best for teams on a budget. Outside venues tend to feel more special but they are higher budget and need to be planned further in advance.
Avital’s Interactive Meal is very popular for office party xmas celebrations. Organizers love that Avital Experiences plans everything from the menu to the drinks to the activities with no surprise fees. The expert host on-site during the event means you can actually sit back and enjoy the event along with everyone else.
Beverley’s Bistro & Bar, La Stella, Partenope Ristorante, Meso Maya, and Ziziki’s.
The most unique corporate holiday party ideas in Dallas aren’t just about food or décor—they’re about connection. Your team should walk away feeling seen, appreciated, and genuinely delighted. That’s where we come in.
We design quirky, classy, food-and-drink-driven experiences that deepen connections and leave guests buzzing. Ready to turn your holiday company party ideas into an event your team will talk about all year?
Avital Ungar is dining and restaurant expert and the founder of Avital Experiences. She has spent 15+ years designing dining experiences nationwide and has been featured in The New York Times, Shark Tank, Travel Channel, Bon Appétit, and more. Learn more
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