The sun may go down early in Seattle during the holiday season, but it just makes the twinkling Christmas lights shine all that more brighter! Bring some much-needed sunshine to your team this holiday season by planning an unforgettable company holiday party. This is your one stop shot for Seattle company holiday party ideas, from the activity, to the venue, to the gifts, theme, and attire!
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.
Nostalgia and tradition are such a big part of the holiday season. These Christmas party ideas in Seattle embrace the city’s best traditions to create a celebration the office won’t soon forget.
Take in the most incredible Holiday Light Show in Stanwood WA, just an hour outside of Seattle. The Lights of Christmas is a hit every year and your team will be feeling the holiday vibes as they sip warm drinks and take in the show.
Ice skating is a fun and nostalgic team building activity that is perfect for the Holiday season. The rink at Occidental Square offers free skates and time on the ice on a first come first served basis during the Holidays.
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.
The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship is a beloved tradition in the Pacific Northwest. Book your team tickets to ride on the ship where they will enjoy performances by live choirs, a Christmas light show, and drinks.
One of our favorite upscale corporate holiday party ideas in Seattle is bringing the team to see The Nutcracker at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Experiencing the magic of this ancient story at one of Boston’s most iconic cultural institutions makes for a lovely holiday celebration.
Every city has their version of a festive holiday market, and Seattle’s is just a little extra magical! Your team can partake in festive drinking, and snacking, purchasing artisan and gifts for their family, making holiday themed crafts, and more!
The choice of venue can make her break the company holiday party! That’s why in this section, I’m recommending my favorite vetted spots to celebrate the holidays in Seattle with the team.
Wild Ginger is a Seattle group dining treasure in the Downtown area, which transports you to Southeast Asia with its modern decor and lively atmosphere. The atmosphere is upscale and energetic, perfect for a holiday party for a group of 16-100.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar is a Seattle institution, offering a chic and relaxed space with a focus on upscale small plates and global wines. This restaurant is upscale yet approachable, with multiple private rooms. The airy Loft seats 26, and the moody wine room accommodates 14-20 guests.
El Gaucho Seattle brings the sophisticated charm of Argentina to the heart of Belltown. This elegant steakhouse is renowned for its cuts of prime Angus beef, a dramatic open kitchen showcasing the grill, and an impressive wine list. This is a great choice for holiday parties with anywhere from 8 to 150 guests.
If you’re looking for an upscale and sophisticated holiday party venue in Seattle with incredible ambiance, check out The Butcher’s Table– a chic, modern steakhouse. Book the Norwegian Wood room for a small party of 8-14, the Lotus Flower room for 30 guests, or the Gold Dust Room for 78.
The Victor Tavern offers a modern take on the urban tavern experience in the heart of South Lake Union. Take advantage of the spacious dining room, bar, open-air patio, and a dedicated gaming mezzanine. This is one of the best venues for holiday parties in Seattle because of the on-site activities.
Lark, helmed by Chef John Sundstrom, is a Seattle Capitol Hill institution known for its innovative New American cuisine with a focus on Pacific Northwest seafood. With James Beard Award-winning cuisine and impeccable service, Lark is a perfect choice for a corporate Holiday party venue.
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 Seattle. 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 Seattle magician like Clive the Conjuror 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 one of the best holiday party ideas in Seattle. 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.
Wild Ginger, Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, El Gaucho, The Butchers Table, The Victor Tavern, and Lark.
The most unique corporate holiday party ideas in Seattle 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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