Want an office Christmas party people actually look forward to? Toronto has plenty of options beyond the usual dinner and drinks. Here are our favourite ideas for every team size and budget.
Festive outings
- A Distillery Winter Village afternoon. Meet at the Distillery Winter Village on a free Monday to Wednesday before December 14, then move to a private room in one of the district’s restaurants.
- A skate and hot chocolate. Book a group skate at Nathan Phillips Square or the Natrel Rink, then warm up at a nearby bar.
- A Christmas pop-up bar night. Reserve tables at Miracle on Bloor Street or at Harbourfront.
- A holiday show. Group tickets to Elf in Concert, Goblin: Christmas Carol or a Massey Hall concert. Christmas shows in Toronto
- Holiday afternoon tea for a smaller, more refined celebration. Afternoon tea
Hands-on activities
- Cooking or baking class: make holiday cookies or a festive dinner together. Christmas cooking classes
- Gingerbread house competition: teams, judges and prizes. Gingerbread workshops
- Escape rooms, axe throwing or bowling: great for competitive teams.
- Improv workshop: Toronto has some of North America’s best improv and sketch comedy training.
Give back together
- Volunteer as a team at a food bank or toy drive, then celebrate afterwards. Volunteering at Christmas
- Run a toy or food drive and deliver it as a group.
Low-cost ideas
- Potluck with a Secret Santa in the office, plus a festive playlist and an ugly sweater contest.
- Lights walk: a guided walk from St. Lawrence Market to Nathan Phillips Square, ending at a pub. Christmas lights walking tour
Ideas by team size
| Team size | Ideas that work well |
|---|---|
| Under 10 | Afternoon tea, a cooking class, a private dining room, a gingerbread contest in the office |
| 10 to 40 | A group skate and dinner, a pop-up bar takeover, an escape room tournament, a Distillery afternoon |
| 40 to 150 | A venue buyout, a harbour cruise, a restaurant event space, a show with dinner beforehand |
| 150+ | Hotel ballrooms and event venues. Holiday party venues in Toronto |
Make it inclusive
- Call it a holiday or year-end party so everyone feels welcome.
- Offer great non-alcoholic drinks, not just pop.
- Ask about dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free) when people RSVP.
- Pick an accessible venue, and check that it’s easy to reach by transit.
- Hold it during work hours if many of your team have caregiving responsibilities; a long lunch can be as fun as an evening out.
- Keep games optional so no one feels pressured to perform.
Timing tips
The first three weeks of December are peak party season in Toronto. If you can’t book early:
- Choose a Monday to Wednesday, when venues have more availability and sometimes better prices.
- Go early in December or into January. A “beat the winter blues” party in mid-January is easy to book and something to look forward to.
- Pick a lunch event instead of dinner.
Getting everyone home safely
Plan transportation for any event with alcohol: share the TTC’s late-night service details, consider pre-booked taxis or a shuttle, and remind people never to drive impaired. Ontario police run RIDE checks throughout the holiday season. See a Christmas night out in Toronto for more.
Office Christmas party: FAQ
When should we book a Toronto holiday party venue? For December Friday and Saturday nights, book by early fall. Weeknights and January dates are easier.
What’s a cheap office Christmas party idea? A potluck lunch, a gingerbread competition, a Secret Santa exchange or a free skate at Nathan Phillips Square followed by hot chocolate.
Planning tips
- Book early for December Thursdays and Fridays.
- Consider a January party to avoid the rush and make it something to look forward to.
- Plan transit home; TTC and GO schedules change around the holidays, so check late-night service before you book. TTC holiday schedule
- Offer non-alcoholic options and accessible venues.
Looking for a space? See holiday party venues in Toronto.
