With remote work on the rise, getting employees excited about gathering can feel like an uphill battle. Why would someone travel across the globe when they can do it all from their couch? For those nearby, for whatever reason they may have, not everyone’s keen to hang out after hours.
But here’s the twist: people still crave that face-to-face connection. A study by Indeed found that 73% of remote workers miss socialising with their colleagues in person. And Hilton reported that three out of four millennials see business trips as a perk. It turns out we’re all a little more social than we think!
So, how do you bring your team together—in person, virtually, or a mix of both—and create events they'll love? Ask them what they’re into (e.g. through a quick poll or survey).
If your team needs activity ideas for corporate events, there’s something for everyone in our go-to guide. Here are 55 creative and delightful ways to make sure your next event is one for the books.
Company events
A company event is an internal gathering designed to engage, celebrate, and build relationships with your employees. It could be a party, town hall, multi-session workshop, team-building event, and other company-wide activities.
1. Local comedy evenings
The best team-building activity is fun and free-flowing. A local comedy evening fits the bill, providing stress relief to your team. Improv nights and karaoke sessions are viable options, too. To spread the good vibes, you can extend the invite to the whole company and book a venue that can accommodate everyone.
2. Open mic nights
An open mic is a live show where attendees—your employees, in this case—are welcome to perform onstage. It’s a night to spotlight aspiring artists in your company. You can host one during work hours or as an after-hour social event.
✅ Pro tip: Promote the event and get around two people to sign up in advance. Seeing someone do it first encourages others to participate.
3. Interactive happy hours
Happy workers tend to have increased productivity. So, why not introduce happy hours to your team and see if the name lives up to expectations? You can schedule ‘Beer Fridays’ like Evernote did or host a mixology session with an expert.
Does your team work remotely? Consider a virtual happy hour. Poll your team about their preferred activity, and let everyone enjoy their favourite drink—be it a brew, cocktail, wine, or non-alcoholic option.
4. Awareness circles
Show your team how connected they are with a simple exercise. Ask them to join you in a circle and step forward if the statement applies to them. For example:
- You might say, “I have travelled to another continent”
- Those who have done so will step forward silently
This allows everyone to see who they share similar experiences with.
5. Digital escape rooms
As the name suggests, digital escape rooms involve solving puzzles, finding clues, and completing tasks in a virtual setting, with the goal to ‘escape the room’. The game typically lasts 60 minutes. You can create one from scratch, use a template, or book a professionally made online escape experience.
6. Team retreats
Give your team a change of scenery with a retreat. This allows them to carve more space not just to reload but also to conceive new ideas.
Be it a day at the park or a weekend at a countryside lodge, retreats help to take one’s mind away from the office and immerse oneself outdoors with activities like hiking, team challenges, or even mindfulness.
7. Lunch-and-learn
This informal get-together involves food and learning. It’s a chance for employees to gather insight into anything they feel will help them develop professionally or personally. You may invite experts from a particular field, from industry pros to wellness coaches, to share their knowledge and help the attendees cultivate key skills.
8. Professional and leadership workshops
Enhance your team's performance with professional skills development workshops and leadership training. Whether it's a session on public speaking, a course on project management, or coaching in leadership, investing in your team's future can make a tremendous difference.
✅ Pro tip: Conduct a survey among your team members to identify the skills they want to develop, and then customise the workshop based on their feedback.
9. Employee recognition or awards ceremony
An award ceremony marks team milestones and individual accomplishments. It doesn't have to be elaborate: a simple recognition of exceptional work or contributions can boost morale significantly.
You can present formal awards like ‘Employee of the Month’ as well as fun categories like ‘Most Likely to Start a Dance Party.’
10. Employee holiday events
We all love a white elephant gift exchange to give us holiday cheer! From a themed office party to an online Secret Santa for remote teams, these seasonal events let your team get into the holiday mood. Sample activities include cookie decorating day, an ugly sweater contest, or even holiday trivia.
11. Town halls
Regular town halls help keep your team in the loop. Company-wide meetings offer a great opportunity for important announcements, team recognition, and employee Q&A. Town halls can break down barriers that prevent effective communication and make everyone feel a part of the company.
✅ Pro tip: Include interactive elements in your agenda, whether it’s polls, live Q&A, or virtual breakout rooms for remote attendees.
Public events
This type of corporate event usually includes external parties, such as clients, partner companies and communities, and guests from the same industry. Those funded by ticketing or sponsorship—such as trade shows and conferences—also fall under public events.
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12. Conferences
Conferences gather industry professionals to share knowledge and network, promoting learning, growth, and collaboration. They provide new insights and connections to drive your business forward.
For example, organise a conference on artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, inviting C-suite and senior leaders to discuss the future of technology in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
13. Trade shows
Showcase your products or services to a captive audience. Trade shows enable you to connect with potential customers and partners in person, an important ingredient in positioning your offerings as a solution to some of the industry's most pressing problems.
14. Product launch
Introduce a new product or service to the market with a bang. The idea here is to stir up hype, spark media interest, and snag customers for your latest offering.
✅ Pro tip: Host a product launch where customers can see and experience live demos of your newly released solution. Collaborate with influencers and hold a press event to create buzz.
15. Customer appreciation events
Show your clients how much their loyalty means. Express gratitude and appreciation through a formal event or a casual get-together. You can also blend formal and casual elements by offering VIP clients an intimate cocktail hour with sneak peeks of new products and a night on the town.
16. Helpful booths
Besides those of exhibitors, set up booths providing free advice or services at public events. Offering tangible assistance allows you to build trust and credibility with the community, including potential customers.
✅ Pro tip: Consider installing a tech troubleshooting booth at your next event. Your technical team can help with exhibitor and guest issues, such as booth malfunctions, common network problems, and unexpected glitches.
17. Wishing tree
The wish tree or wishing tree is a simple yet meaningful event feature. It’s based on a common tradition across several cultures in which individuals write, draw, or communicate their wishes on symbolic items that are then tied to a tree.
This is a very good opportunity for community building and connection, visually depicting shared aspiration. You can use a few sticks or branches in a vase as a ‘tree’ and ask people to write messages on colourful pieces of paper.
18. Coffee mornings
This informal, low-key event gathers everyone in an early chat over coffee and pastries. It lets you get to know local partners and customers in a relaxed environment, such as your favourite café. You can host one to expand your community or raise funds for a charity (more on fundraising event ideas later).
19. Local art exhibitions
Sponsoring an art exhibition would be beneficial for companies targeting customers interested in the art and creative industries. Companies can encourage support for local artists and galleries and drive people to watch their shows.
20. Food festivals
Food festivals are grand public events that require lots of effort while potentially yielding great results. You can join one where you can offer samples of your latest products or support local chefs. Choose a food fest targeting your audience segment to maximise exposure and mingling with the public.
21. ‘Nearly new’ sales
Nearly new sales are events open to the public where people sell gently used items at lower prices. This promotes sustainability and corporate social responsibility. You can arrange a similar sale in your office where employees donate items to be sold at affordable prices, with proceeds going to a local charity.
22. Pop-up shops
Pop-up shops are temporary retail spaces designed to showcase new products, services, or collections. These shops create buzz and excitement among customers, test new markets and concepts, and drive sales.
For example, you can set up a store during the weekend to:
- Highlight your new product line
- Offer limited-time promotions
- Host giveaways
Community events
Community service brings volunteers and community members together. It’s a platform for companies to make an impact. At the same time, it’s a hub for building trust, creating bonds, and promoting a sense of belonging.
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23. Community cleanups
Rally your team for a community cleanup! Whether it’s clearing litter from a park or beautifying a public space, you can volunteer to make a difference for at least a day. It’s a simple yet impactful way to promote environmental responsibility while reinforcing teamwork.
✅ Pro tip: Provide all the necessary supplies (gloves, trash bags, etc.) and offer refreshments to keep everyone energised.
24. Standup events
Cap off your cleanup initiative with a community standup, injecting some humour into your local scene. You can invite professional comedians or let brave community members take the mic. Either way, it’s bound to be a fun-filled evening.
25. Book readings
Bring people together over their love of literature. Partner with a local bookstore or library to facilitate a book reading. This activity offers an intimate, reflective experience that inspires guests to imagine beyond the busyness of daily life.
26. Cabarets
Add some flair to your community events with a cabaret night. Fill the atmosphere with music, dance, and theatrical performances. There’s something for everyone to see, from comedy sketches to dramatic monologues.
27. Potlucks
Nothing brings people together like food. A potluck is a delicious way to share a bit of yourself with your community. Each employee can bring a dish that reflects their culture or family traditions and share it with the community members.
✅ Pro tip: Create a sign-up sheet to ensure a variety of dishes and avoid duplicates.
28. Cardboard boat regattas
Get creative with a cardboard boat regatta. Participants build boats using only cardboard and tape and then race them in a nearby lake or pool. It’s a unique, lighthearted game that fosters teamwork and encourages friendly competition while embracing a sustainable mindset.
29. Street parties or block parties
If you rent a coworking space, initiate a community-building event with neighbouring companies. Come together to enjoy food, music, and games right in the heart of your street or block. This informal, welcoming activity helps you build goodwill among the people you meet regularly in the same building.
30. Pancake breakfasts
Start the day right with a community pancake breakfast. You can also invite cross-functional teams to enjoy a casual, friendly meal together, where conversations flow as freely as the syrup. It’s an easy way to bring people together and is often used as a fundraiser for a good cause.
31. Local walking tours
Explore the rich history or natural beauty of your area with a guided walking tour. Whether it’s uncovering historical landmarks or trekking through scenic nature trails, local walking tours offer a leisurely yet informative way for your team to learn more about your community.
✅ Pro tip: Invite a local historian or nature expert to lead the tour, so you can gather more in-depth information.
32. Crowd-activated interactive games
Let your community take the reins with crowd-activated interactive games. Using their phones or devices, participants can join in live quizzes, challenges, or scavenger hunts, adding a tech-savvy twist to any event. It’s an engaging, high-energy way to get everyone involved.
33. Fitness workshops
Get the community moving with a fitness workshop. Lead them to do yoga in the park, a high-energy Zumba class, or a group hike. You can also hire a professional to facilitate mental health awareness activities for adults.
Fundraising events
Companies can raise money for charity through fundraising events. The most common examples are individual giving, team donations, and corporate sponsorships.
34. Charity galas
Not a Fortune 500 company, nonprofit, or foundation? You don’t have to be to host a charity gala. You can create your own version of this elegant fundraising event to meet your needs—even taking it online or adding a virtual component to an in-person experience.
A charity gala perfectly blends networking, philanthropy, and entertainment (such as a live band). It lets your VIP guests step away from their day-to-day lives and reaffirm their commitment to a greater cause.
35. Silent auctions
Like a regular auction, a silent auction involves items that guests can bid on, such as art, jewellery, signed memorabilia, and luxury travel packages. But in this case, bidders write on a sheet using assigned numbers instead of their names. The highest bidder at the end of the auction becomes the item owner.
✅ Pro tip: Get creative with the auction items—experiences like lunch with a local celebrity or VIP access to an event often generate higher bids than traditional items.
36. Donation matching
Donation or gift matching is a form of corporate giving in which an employer matches employee donations, automatically doubling the amount raised for a cause. It's one of the best ways to incentivise participation and maximise impact. About one in three donors say they’d give a larger gift if donation matching is applied.
37. Digital donations
Digital donations enable your employees to donate directly from their favourite devices. This makes your fundraising accessible to a wide audience. You can create a simple app or site on a dedicated online platform to promote your campaign, and those who want to donate can scan a QR code or log into the digital platform.
38. Donation kiosks
Let donors give the minute they feel compelled. Install a self-service payment station that makes it easy for them to donate onsite, especially at live events. The digital kiosk should accept credit and debit cards or even cash.
By adding new donation methods, you can increase your donation revenue while improving the donor experience.
39. Raffles
Joining raffles—and the losing streak that often comes with it—may be familiar to many. Yet, it remains a viable way to raise funds. Just make sure you clearly explain how people can purchase tickets. Raffle laws may also require you to be transparent about the prize value, ticket prices, and your sales mission.
40. Bring-and-buy sale
Host a bring-and-buy event where your employees bring second-hand items like books and clothes for others to buy. You can also invite local businesses and partner brands to participate. The proceeds go to a charity or cause you support. It’s a simple and sustainable idea that benefits your partner community.
41. Keynote for a cause
Enlist a few high-calibre keynote speakers to present a topic your customers care about. The topics should fall under a main theme—think about TED’s focus on technology, education, and design. Also, the speakers should drive enough people to buy event tickets, so you can drum up support for your beneficiaries.
42. Bar sponsorship
Set up an open bar at your next charity gala. Offer bar sponsorships to brands interested in boosting their visibility at your event. For added motivation, mention how the proceeds benefit a particular community or project.
43. Fashion show
Whether it’s a one-off fashion show or an annual event, this fundraiser can generate a lot of revenue if done right. You can pitch it to up-and-coming designers or businesses wanting to appeal to a new audience. Some professionals may also agree to work pro bono if they learn about the reason behind the initiative, helping you save on costs.
44. Charity fun run or walk
A charity fun run or walk gets the community moving while raising funds for a good cause. Participants sign up, often paying a small fee, and take part in an endorphin-boosting, active event. You can make it family-friendly by including different distance options or offering enjoyable themes like a colour run.
✅ Pro tip: Partner with local businesses to provide water stations, snacks, or medals, helping reduce costs while building stronger community ties.
Virtual events
45. Trivia nights
Scrap escape rooms in favour of a virtual trivia night. Trivia nights are fantastic for remote teams and allow participants to test their knowledge in absolute fun. Organise one where your team members can compete for some delightful prizes in a show-off of some mindless facts.
46. Online workouts
Companies have the incentive to help maintain employee health and wellness. It’s this: healthy workers generate fewer health costs and higher productivity.
Open up opportunities to sign up for a weekly online session of yoga, Pilates, or high-intensity workouts. Whatever it is, a virtual fitness class can help an employee stay active and de-stress at home.
47. Magic show
Invite a mentalist, illusionist, or magician for an extraordinary night at your awarding ceremony or customer appreciation event. Masters of deception (and their craft) are more than capable of entertaining or including your target audience in an experience they will remember for quite some time.
48. Virtual reality tour
Take your remote team on a virtual tour to a famous city or hotspot. For instance, you can explore the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History together. You can do this activity for free using your own devices without leaving the comfort of your homes.
49. Virtual roundtables
Virtual roundtables make for in-depth, small-group discussions on industry trends, best practices, or joint problem-solving. They’re also a viable top-of-the-funnel marketing strategy.
However, make sure to invite speakers who will truly provide value to your target audience. It’s better to round up a few subject matter experts who can delve deeper into topics than big C-Suite names who only have time to answer several questions.
50. Paint jam
A virtual paint jam is usually an art workshop in which an artist guides attendees to make their own masterpieces. It’s fun, creative, and collaborative. And best of all, everyone can express themselves through this chill activity, even those who feel they don’t have a single creative bone in their body.
51. Webinars
Share knowledge and expertise with a very large audience through webinars. You can host one where industry experts discuss topics of interest and answer questions from the live audience on the latest events occurring within your industry.
52. Peer-to-peer fundraising
This activity extends your campaign reach by letting participants raise money through their networks—the most effective way to engage supporters and multiply donations. For instance, you can allow your employees to rally their friends and family to raise funds for a local nonprofit organisation.
53. Online auction
Digital auctions let attendees bid from anywhere on items or experiences, making them perfect for virtual or hybrid fundraising events. The highest bid wins, with all proceeds going toward a cause.
✅ Pro tip: Marry that virtual charity event with a digital auction, where participating guests can bid on unique offerings: stays, new tech gadgets, and VIP access.
54. Virtual talent show
This is a small-scale version of the company-wide open mic night. Here, your teammates can share their unique skills and hidden talents in a safe and supportive environment. Let them spread their wings as you build camaraderie and celebrate everyone’s individuality.
55. Virtual cooking class
Host a virtual cooking class where a professional chef guides participants through making a delicious dish from the comfort of their kitchens. Learn a new skill and enjoy a (hopefully) delectable meal while bonding with your teammates!
✅ Pro tip: Send out a list of ingredients ahead of time, or offer a meal kit delivery to ensure everyone’s ready to cook along with the chef.
Organising corporate events in today’s work environment require innovation and a little extra creativity, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Whether your team is fully remote, hybrid, or in-office, there’s no shortage of options to engage employees, strengthen bonds, and build a positive company culture.
From fun team-building activities like trivia nights and talent shows to meaningful community service initiatives and elegant charity galas, there’s something to inspire you to create memorable experiences for your teams and clients.
That said, there's one question left to ask: what truly motivates your team? Start a poll or survey now to find out and create events that excite and inspire!
