As the holiday season approaches, the time has come for businesses to start preparing for their annual corporate Christmas party. Amidst the multitude of considerations that go into organizing such an event, there’s one vital element that stands out in its ability to shape the perfect atmosphere – music.
In this blog post, Encore Musicians will delve into some captivating musical ideas for your 2024 corporate Christmas party, ones that are sure to leave a lasting impression on your employees and colleagues alike.
1. Live Bands
Nothing beats the excitement and enthusiasm that a live band can bring to an event. Live bands can interact with the audience and create unique experiences by allowing employees to sing along, participate in a call-and-response, or even join them on stage.
Live bands can tailor their music to the company’s culture and preferences and professional live bands are skilled at maintaining the event’s flow, seamlessly transitioning between different parts of the program. They can provide background music during arrivals and dinner, then shift to more energetic tunes for dancing and celebration.
Encore recommends party band, Relative Cool, an energetic 5-piece band that play all your favourite tunes from the 60s to the present day, fully live with no backing track.
2. Holiday-themed Mixology Class
A holiday-themed mixology class can be a unique and interactive way to entertain guests at a corporate Christmas party. Hire a skilled and charismatic mixologist to lead the class and work with the mixologist to create a menu of festive cocktails. Include classics like eggnog, mulled wine, and holiday-themed variations of popular drinks, as well as, mocktails for those who don’t drink.
Enhance the experience with holiday-themed music and decorations. Consider hiring a pianist to play Christmas classics to create a warm and festive ambience that complements the mixology class. Encore recommends Michael Raggatt, our highest-rated pianist who performs at over 140 events each year and is a regular resident pianist at the Dorchester Hotel. Michael has a large repertoire of music that he can adjust to your specific requirements, and he is always eager to learn song requests to make sure all your guests can enjoy the music.
3. Ceilidh Dance with Ceilidh Band
Incorporating dance lessons into a corporate Christmas party can be a lively and interactive way to engage attendees, and there’s no better way to get your guests up and dancing than with a ceilidh (kay-lee) dance.
Aside from being a lot of fun, ceilidh dances are generally easy to learn and are inclusive, making them suitable for participants of all ages and dance abilities. The structured nature of Ceilidh dances often involves teamwork and coordination, meaning no one gets left out and while Ceilidh dances are rooted in tradition, they can be easily adapted to include holiday-themed songs.
One of our amazing ceilidh bands, Triple Scotch Ceilidh Band, has over 15 years of experience and has played for many top companies, political parties, universities, and major charity fundraisers. The band is familiar with dealing with seasoned dancers, first-time ceilidh-goers, and everyone in between, so they are the appropriate choice for your event regardless of your past ceilidh experience.
4. Jazz Bands
If you’re looking to infuse your corporate Christmas party with a touch of sophistication and timeless elegance, consider hiring a jazz band. Jazz music, with its smooth melodies and sophisticated rhythms, is the perfect choice for creating a relaxed yet refined ambience.
When looking for a jazz band to complement your corporate Christmas event, Neon Blue is our top choice with raving reviews from our corporate clients and our most booked musicians in 2021.
5. Fortune Teller Booth
For a more unique corporate entertainment option, hire a fortune teller or tarot card reader at the party to read your guests’ fortune for the coming year. Brief the fortune teller beforehand to make sure the readings only focus on the positive and lighthearted to avoid any potential upset and work with the venue to create a mystical atmosphere with the lighting and decor.
Not only is this a whimsical, fun way to entertain your guests, but it can also act as an icebreaker for conversations as the guests talk about their readings.
6. Party bands
Party bands are specifically designed to keep the celebration going all night long. These bands specialise in playing a wide range of danceable tunes, from classic rock and pop hits to funky grooves and soulful jams. If you want to ensure that your corporate Christmas party turns into an unforgettable dance party, a party band is the way to go.
Among the top choices for party bands, we highly recommend Encore’s most booked party band of 2022, The Maestros, for your corporate holiday event.
7. Traditional Christmas Carol Groups
For a more traditional touch and a dash of nostalgia, consider classic Christmas entertainment, such as carollers, to serenade your guests with timeless Christmas tunes. Their sweet melodies can add a warm and inviting ambience to your event, perfect for mingling and creating a cosy holiday atmosphere.
When it comes to infusing your corporate Christmas event with the warmth and charm of traditional carols, we recommend Euphony Voices. As one of our most booked carol singers, Euphony Voices can bring the spirit of the season to life at your corporate gathering.
Top tips: It’s important to make sure the band has experience with corporate events as the etiquette and crowd are different than of other events and important to check if they can take song requests in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day.
8. Paint and Sip
For a corporate Christmas party, you can hire a professional art instructor to lead a painting session. Provide all necessary art supplies to your guests, along with a selection of festive or holiday-themed painting options and beverages.
Paint and sips are popular because they’re a more laid-back, casual way to keep your guests engaged. To elevate the experience, consider hiring an acoustic duo to provide background musicians to the session. We would recommend a duo, such as soniK, who performed for reputable venues including Royal Ascot, Warwick Castle and Maldives Joali.
9. Solo Singers or Duets
For a more intimate and engaging musical experience at your corporate Christmas party, consider solo singers and duets. These artists can create a warm and inviting atmosphere whilst being more cost effective than a full band and offering more versatility in song choices.
If you’re interested in a singer who has experience with corporate events, we recommend Lovely Hudson, a very talented performer who appeared on Thailand’s Got Talent and soon became the lead singer of her own band in a prime tourist area of Phuket for over 4 years. Due to her experience, Lovely has build up a huge song list meaning she can cater to a wide range of audiences and atmospheres.
10. Escape Room Challenge
If your group is small enough, you can consider taking everyone to an escape room experience. An escape room challenge involves teams working together to solve puzzles and complete tasks to “escape” within a set time limit. It’s a fun team-building and problem-solving activity that will create some great memories and laughs.
You can also add a competitive element and add a prize for the first person to complete the escape room to up the ante.
11. Classical singers
For elegance and timelessness, classical singers would be the way to go. Their powerful vocals and mastery of classical pieces can add a touch of sophistication and grandeur.
You can also work with classical singers to incorporate classical renditions of Christmas carols into their performance, adding a festive twist to the classical repertoire. For classical singers, Encore suggests classical duo Sirens. With Encore for over five years, these musicians have earned themselves great reviews from our corporate clients.
12. Comedy Show
Hire a stand-up comedian to entertain the audience. Make sure you agree on the material with the comedian beforehand so as to keep it corporate-friendly and sit back and let the comedian take the stage and win over your guests.
13. Acoustic guitarists and singers
Acoustic singers and guitarists provide an intimate and relaxed musical experience, perfect for smaller corporate gatherings or cocktail hours.
Additionally, Acoustic artists can cover a broad range of musical genres, making them suitable for diverse tastes and their music can serve as delightful background music during a cocktail hour or dinner portion of your event.
One of Encore’s top recommendations would be acoustic band, Ward Smith, who have BBC Live Lounge and for artists including Jess Glynne, Ellie Goulding and Emile Sande.
14. Opera singers
Opera singers bring a grand and theatrical element to your corporate Christmas event. Their powerful voices and dramatic performances can create a memorable and awe-inspiring experience.
Aside from adding a distinctive and unique element to your corporate Christmas party, you can also work with opera singers to incorporate holiday-themed operatic pieces into their repertoire, combining the grandeur of opera with the festive spirit of Christmas.
For a great performance, we recommend Vasili Karpiak, an opera singer tenor with a big selection of arias & songs for any type of event.
Top tips: With solo singers and duets, it’s important to think about the venue’s acoustics and to ensure that the singer is familiar with the Christmas songs you’d like to hear beforehand.
15. DJs
If you want to mix up your musical options, hiring a professional DJ can be an excellent choice. A skilled DJ can tailor the music to suit the crowd, take live requests, and seamlessly transition between genres and eras to keep the dance floor filled. Most importantly, DJs can adjust the tempo of the evening as needed.
Share your music preferences and any specific songs or genres you’d like the DJ to include in their setlist. A good DJ will be open to customisation and will work with you to create a playlist that fits your event’s theme i.e. classical Christmas songs or modern hits.
DJ MRBECKZ is Encore’s top choice for a corporate event DJ with experience working with Amazon, NHS, Royal Albert Hall, John Lewis.
Top tips: It’s also important to critical to check that the DJ has experience in a corporate setting to ensure that the music and entertainment align with the professionalism, objectives, and unique requirements of corporate events.
17. Karaoke
For a fun and interactive twist to your corporate Christmas event, consider hosting a karaoke session. Karaoke allows your employees to become the stars of the show, creating memorable and lighthearted moments that encourage team bonding.
For an unforgettable Karaoke experience, have a mix of popular Christmas-themed songs and all-year-round hits to make sure everyone can get involved and consider a professional karaoke setup for better sound quality.
Top tips: Offer prizes or awards for the best karaoke performances to add an element of competition and excitement to the event.
18. Themed Musical Nights
To make your corporate Christmas party stand out, consider hosting themed musical nights. These themes can add a unique twist to your event and create a memorable experience where employees can dress up according to the theme.
Here are a few themed musical night ideas:
- ’80s Retro Christmas: Transport your guests back in time to the 1980s with a retro Christmas party. Hire a DJ or live band that specialises in ’80s hits and Christmas classics. Encourage guests to dress in ’80s fashion, and decorate the venue with neon lights and retro decor.
- Christmas Movie Soundtracks Night: Showcase the magic of Christmas through movie soundtracks. Hire a live orchestra or ensemble to perform iconic Christmas movie songs from classics like “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “The Polar Express.” Combine this with a movie screening for a cosy and nostalgic experience.
- Winter Wonderland Ballroom Dance Night: Create an elegant and romantic atmosphere with a winter wonderland ballroom dance night. Hire a live band or orchestra to play classic ballroom dance tunes and waltzes. Decorate the venue with sparkling lights and winter-themed decor. Offer dance lessons or encourage guests to show off their dance moves.
Top Tips For Hiring a Corporate Christmas Party Entertainer
1. Plan and Budget Early: Start planning your entertainment well in advance, especially during the busy holiday season when popular musicians may be booked up. Set a realistic budget for the musician’s fees, considering their experience, popularity, and travel expenses.
2. Define Your Music Style and Ambiance: Determine the type of music you envision for your event. Do you want a traditional Christmas atmosphere with carols and classics or a more upbeat and contemporary vibe with modern holiday tunes?
3. Check Experience and Reviews: On Encore’s site, you can evaluate the musician’s experience, credentials, and online reviews. You can also watch their live performances to assess their style, professionalism, and suitability for your event.
4. Consider the venue and acoustics: Ensure the musician’s style and volume are appropriate for the size and acoustics of the venue.
5. Plan for breaks and transitions: Discuss breaks and transitions between sets to maintain a smooth flow of the event.
Perfect songs for a corporate Christmas party
Choosing the right music for a corporate Christmas party means choosing songs that are festive, upbeat, and appropriate for a professional setting. Here are some classic and modern songs that would work well:
1.”All I Want for Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
This modern classic is upbeat, catchy, and universally loved. Its energetic and joyous vibe makes it perfect for getting people in the holiday spirit.
2.”Last Christmas” – Wham!
A pop classic with a nostalgic feel, “Last Christmas” is both festive and danceable. It’s well-known and can be a fun addition to the party playlist.
3. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms
This timeless tune has a lively and spirited feel. Its upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it a great choice for creating an energetic and festive atmosphere.
4. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams
The title says it all. This classic song exudes the joy and excitement of the holiday season, making it a perfect choice for a celebratory atmosphere.
5.”Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
With its catchy melody and cheerful lyrics, this song is a holiday staple. It’s both festive and light-hearted, making it suitable for a corporate setting.
6. “Winter Wonderland” – Dean Martin
Dean Martin’s smooth and crooning style adds a touch of sophistication to the holiday season. “Winter Wonderland” captures the enchanting and magical aspects of winter.
7.”Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of this classic has a rock-and-roll edge while maintaining the holiday cheer. It’s a lively choice that can add energy to the party.
8. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – Frank Sinatra
Sinatra’s timeless voice brings a touch of elegance to this holiday standard. It’s a classic choice that evokes a cosy and festive ambience.
9. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé’s modern take on this classic is smooth and sophisticated. It adds a touch of romance and warmth to the holiday playlist.
10. “Sleigh Ride” – The Ronettes
This lively and upbeat song captures the excitement of a winter sleigh ride. The Ronettes’ version adds a nostalgic and fun element to the festivities.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, this blog has given you enough inspiration to spice up your corporate festive season. Selecting the right musical setting for your corporate Christmas party is paramount. It’s essential to align your choices with your company’s culture, employee preferences, and desired ambience.
Whether it’s jazz, rock, pop, solo performances, karaoke, or themed musical nights, the music should enhance the experience and create lasting memories. Engaging with your team to understand their preferences and striking the right balance will ensure a successful and enjoyable celebration. Let the music set the tone for a memorable corporate holiday event.
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