While most of the US is celebrating holidays around a warm fire, Angelenos get to enjoy Christmas on the beach! Everything is still festive and adorned with holiday colors; the only difference is that the sun is still out. It doesn’t get much luckier than that! Take advantage of what makes the holiday season in LA so special with these unique corporate holiday party ideas.
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 then 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.
Take your team on a food tour of Koreatown, where you’ll pop in and out of the best restaurants, enjoy curated sit-down tastings at each spot, and learn about the neighborhood’s culture and history along the way.
On our Michelin Food Tour we take you on a different kind of Star Tour than the one you’re used to. Visit a curated selection of Los Angeles’s top restaurants while enjoying seated tastings, insider stories, and ample time to bond.
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.
It’s so nice to be able to take advantage of outdoor activities all the way through December! These classic holiday activities get your team in the festive mood while showing off LA’s best assets.
What could be more elegant than a gorgeous holiday party taking place on a yacht? Organize a yacht tour with City Cruises Luxury Yacht. Your team will be whisked off on a beautiful boat ride with breathtaking views of the water and the Los Angeles skyline.
Every year, a group of LA-based artists and engineers come together to create the most epic holiday light show of all time in DTLA. Take your team to the Grand Illumination’s Holiday Light Show and then join together at a local watering hole or restaurant afterwards for snacks and drinks to finish off the evening.
Nothing rings in the holiday season quite like an outdoor ice skating rink. The Holiday Ice Skating Rink in Pershing Square is a recurring event every holiday season, and, amazingly, they’re available to rent out for corporate events.
If you and your team are located in LA or visiting for the holiday season, we can almost guarantee there are cinephiles in your group who would appreciate a private movie theater experience. The Landmark Nuart Theater is a swanky single-screen theater available to be rented out to play any movie you desire.
This holiday season, have your team give back to those who need it most. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is an amazing organization whose vision is that “no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.” Contact them directly to coordinate how to create the most helpful experience for you and your colleagues.
The Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences since its first performance in 1892. Treat your team to an exceptional piece of art and get them all tickets to see the Nutcracker performed by the Los Angeles Ballet.
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.
Entertainment is an important part of your company holiday party but so is the venue! We’ve vetted these private dining restaurants to make sure they have the star power needed to impress your team.
The Waterfront Venice is a casual, come-as-you-are, beachfront hangout, perfect for a casual holiday celebration. Between the bar serving up refreshing cocktails, a casual yet stylish space, and a fresh, seafood-forward menu, it’s one of our favorite venues on this list
De La Nonna, known for its delicious Italian cuisine, is one of the top downtown restaurants with party rooms perfect for intimate private dinners. Ideal for gatherings of up to 20 people, this cozy venue offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for holiday celebrations.
Take a short ride over to Santa Monica to enjoy the private venue at Piccolo. Here, your team will enjoy Italian dishes in a charming, intimate setting for up to 45 guests.
If your corporate holiday party is going to be a large and audacious affair, look to La Boheme in West Hollywood! You can choose to host your party in the main dining room, outdoor patio, mezzanine level, lounge with full bar, or even a full buyout.
Ospi, located in Venice Beachis known for its fresh, coastal-inspired dishes and excellent private party room. This venue can comfortably accommodate groups of up to 30 guests in its relaxed, beachside setting.
Redbird is an elegant Modern-American restaurant with an impressive interior and unique menu. This Los Angeles holiday party venue is perfect for large celebrations, as up to 100 guests can dine in style on the premises.
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 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 Los Angeles magician like Magical Katrina and infuse some Holiday magic into this year’s celebration. Embrace the theme with crystal balls, silver streamers, and playing card 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 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.
The best venues for work holiday parties in Los Angeles are The Waterfront, De La Nonna, Cat and the Fiddle, Petit Trois, Dama, Boa, and Ysabel.
The most unique corporate holiday party ideas in Los Angeles 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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