The holiday season in Denver is full of crisp, sunny days and festive cheer. When planning a work celebration, you have all the classic seasonal options, as well as outdoor excursions, and festive events unique to Denver. To help you find the perfect way to celebrate your team this year, I’ve compiled this guide with everything from activities and venues to gift and theme ideas, and so much more!
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 holiday party in the office, 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.
The holiday season is rife with nostalgia, and sometimes embracing it is the best way to celebrate! These Denver holiday party ideas embrace the best of what this season has to offer.
The powerhouse Colorado Symphony is coming back with its incredible Classical Christmas Concert this year. They’re playing all the seasonal favorites and some brand new arrangements as well. Listening to live music is a great way for coworkers to connect, relax, and get in the festive spirit.
Blossoms of Light is not only the most vibrant light show in Colorado, but it’s also one of the best in the nation! Trees as far as the eye can see are adorned with colorful strings of Christmas lights, creating a visual experience like no other.
Circus performers take the stage for an entertaining night of storytelling and daring feats. To celebrate the holidays, bring your team to see the epic, bizarre, and unique Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at the Bellco Theatre.
Ice skating is a fun and nostalgic holiday party activity. The rink at Downtown Denver Rink is lovely around the holidays, and they make it easy to rent skates for the whole team.
Bring everyone together to celebrate a local tradition, the Parade of Lights! Acts ranging from marching bands to dancers to live musical performances parade through downtown Denver while every inch of the street is brought to life by multi-colored lights.
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.
If you’ve spent hours searching “company holiday party venues near me” and have yet to find exactly what you’re looking for, it’s time to get help from the experts. There are many Denver venues for large group celebrations with entertainment to choose from, but these are the ones that are truly worth your time.
Mercantile is serving up a farm-to-table dining experience in an industrial-chic space. This is one of the most popular corporate party venues in Denver because of the lively atmosphere and consistently evolving, quality menu. Their semi-private dining spaces can accommodate 10-18 guests.
Luca is a high-end Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill, with a stylish interior and rustic yet refined menu. This is one of our favorite Denver holiday party venues for an intimate group of up to 18 guests because of the festive vibe and phenomenal service.
Mister Oso is a colorful Latin restaurant, known for its juicy tacos and the adorable bear glasses in which their delicious frozen margs are served. This place stands out from other party venues in Denver because of its energetic crowd and colorful decor. It’s a great spot for groups of 8-12.
Red Square Bistro is a whimsical restaurant serving up sophisticated European fare. Their semi-private dining space allows some of the sounds of the festive private dining room while still giving your group the comforting feeling of being tucked away from the hubbub.
For corporate holiday parties, I love the semi-private dining space at Rioja. Here, the decor is both classy and whimsical, and the service is always impeccable! This is at the top of our list when recommending large event venues in Denver, because it can accommodate up to 75 guests.
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.
Holiday dinner party, but make it Denver-themed! Think Colorado craft beer to kick things off. For the main course, serve locally-sourced steak or game from one of Denver’s best restaurants. You could also throw in some fun Denver foodie trivia or a Colorado jerky comparative tasting.
Psst! If you’re interested in a turkey Denver dinner party for your group, check out our Interactive Meal. Featuring Denver craft beer, a Colorado jerky tasting, and fun Denver foodie trivia at one of Denver’s best restaurants with private rooms.
Channel alpine luxury without leaving Denver. 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 Denver magician like Lou Serrano 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.
I 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: I 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 most unique corporate holiday party ideas in Denver 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
