The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and, for many businesses, a chance to boost team morale. Whether you’re an HR manager, a team leader, or a business owner, make your 2026 celebration a memorable one for both remote and in-person colleagues.
The best holiday team building activities for work are short, inclusive and easy to join, whether your team is in the office, at home or split between the two. A hosted escape room, scavenger hunt or trivia challenge covers all three in under an hour, and simple ideas like a decoration contest or a Secret Santa with a twist cost next to nothing.
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026 and Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, so most US teams have fewer than four working weeks in December to fit a celebration in before the break. If you want a hosted session on a particular day in early or mid December, it’s worth booking in October or November. We can still run most of our events at 24 hours’ notice if plans change late.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our holiday team building activities or keep reading for our list of merry team ideas! This blog also includes:
The end of year celebrations are fast approaching so it’s time to get planning! To help you along the way, we’ve compiled a list of 10 holiday team building activities that are engaging, inclusive, and fun for everyone. A gift from us to you!
Kick off the festive season with the best holiday team building activities and corporate party ideas
1. Festive Office Decoration Contest
A decoration contest is a great way to kickstart the festive season around the office. It’s a fun, creative activity that encourages teamwork and will bring out everyone’s competitive spirit. Teams can be tasked with decorating their workspace or a designated area. You can set themes or let their creativity run wild.
Tip: Consider incorporating company values or goals into the decoration themes. This can subtly reinforce your company’s mission while keeping the activity fun and engaging.
Check out Office Games: Festive Edition for more in-person holiday party ideas.
2. Virtual Holiday Escape Room
Escape rooms are popular team building activities at the holidays and we’re sure this 45 minute activity will bring plenty of cheer. In Escape: Holiday Edition, Santa has misplaced his naughty and nice list, and it’s up to your team to save the holidays. Teams of 4 to 6 race the clock through five festive rooms packed with riddles, brainteasers and codes, and the team with the most points wins. It runs over a video call with a Remote Host, and it works for hybrid and in-person groups too.
Not only will this activity get everyone in the festive spirit, but it also encourages problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Because Wildgoose owns the technology, there are no licence fees or kit hire costs, making it easier and more affordable to run in 2026.
3. Secret Santa with a Twist
A holiday gift exchange is a classic team building activity. But why not add a twist to make it even more engaging? Instead of just exchanging gifts, you could incorporate a team building element. For example, each person could share a fun fact about themselves. Then, the gift-giver has to guess who they’re buying for based on the facts.
Tip: Make sure to set a budget for the gifts to ensure fairness.
4. Cocktail Making Class
Celebrate the end of the year with cocktails (or mocktails) in this fun holiday team building activity! A cocktail making class is an exciting way to bring your team together and will be sure to provide some laughs. Whether you choose an in-person or virtual class, everyone can take part in the fun as they learn from a professional mixologist and enjoy delicious drinks. Cheers to that!
Tip: Be sure to provide alternative options for those who don’t drink alcohol.
5. Virtual Holiday Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can be a thrilling holiday team building activity, and it’s a great way to inspire collaboration in a remote or hybrid team. This fun 45-minute challenge will see teams testing their knowledge with seasonal trivia and getting creative with festive-themed items they can find around them. A classic, now refreshed for 2026. With no complex setup or hired devices, it’s a simple, fun way to get hybrid teams collaborating.
6. Festive Recipe Swap
Food brings people together so why not use it to build team spirit too?! A holiday recipe swap is a chance for everyone to share their favourite seasonal dishes and learn about different culinary traditions. Each team member can submit a recipe, then everyone can vote on their favourites. The top-voted recipes can be cooked and shared in a virtual or in-person cook-off.
Tip: Consider dietary restrictions and preferences when planning this activity.
7. Virtual Holiday Team Quiz
A virtual holiday quiz can be a fun and engaging way to bring your team together. It’s a great option for remote teams, but can also be a hit with in-person teams. Packed with 12 rounds of festive trivia and brainteasers, this jolly activity is perfect for getting any team in the holiday spirit.
8. Around the World: Festive Edition
Celebrate all things diversity and travel in this virtual festive adventure! Using their smartphones and the Mobile Adventures app, teams will work together to complete a series of creative trivia tasks and festive challenges. Along the way, they’ll learn about year-round festivities from across the world. This activity is a fantastic choice for global teams in 2026. With no kit to ship internationally and flexible delivery, it’s designed to connect colleagues across time zones with minimal hassle.
9. Volunteering & Charity Activities
Volunteering as a team or organising a charity event is a fantastic way to give back to the local community, especially during the holiday season. Why not set up a donation point in the office where team members can donate food or clothing? Or contact a local charity to find out more about holiday volunteering opportunities. Giving back to the local community will be sure to help bond your teammates and give them memories they’ll talk about for years to come.
10. Virtual Murder Mystery
Combine your team’s holiday celebrations with an exciting winter-themed murder mystery! Murder on the Slopes will immerse teams in a chilling case and it’s up to them to solve it and catch the killer in time. They’ll use the Mobile Adventures app and their smartphones to search for clues and uncover crucial evidence. Which team will be the first to unravel this mystery?
Booking a Hosted Holiday Activity
Our virtual holiday escape room, scavenger hunt and trivia challenge each run for 45 minutes, take groups of up to 300 remotely or hybrid, and start from $15 per person. Everyone plays on their own smartphone with the Mobile Adventures app, so there’s no kit to ship and nothing to install on work laptops. A live host runs the session, keeps score and handles the final reveal, so nobody on the team has to play organizer.
If your team is together in person, Festive Explorer takes the celebration outdoors. It’s a two-hour, GPS-powered holiday scavenger hunt around your chosen downtown or neighborhood, with holiday trivia, puzzles and photo challenges along the way. It can start and finish at your office, venue or restaurant, and you can book it with or without bar stops. It can be self-managed, remotely hosted or run by an onsite Wildgoose host.
Want to see the full range? Browse all our holiday team building activities.
Conclusion: 10 Best Holiday Team Building Activities in 2026
As we wrap up the year, it’s important to reflect on the benefits of holiday team building activities. They are much more than just fun and games, usually requiring careful thought and preparation. They also play a crucial role in fostering a positive company culture and boosting employee morale.
Engaging in holiday-themed activities allows team members to connect on a personal level. Whether you choose a virtual, hybrid or in-person event, it will break down barriers and encourage open communication. This leads to improved collaboration and productivity in the long run. Moreover, these activities provide a platform for recognising and rewarding employees’ efforts throughout the year.
With the right planning, your holiday team building activities in 2026 can be a resounding success. And because our events can be arranged at short notice, they’re also a reliable backup if other plans fall through. Remember that the end of the year can be a busy time for teams so be sure to keep the atmosphere light and fun, and encourage everyone to participate. They’re sure to bring joy, camaraderie, and a sense of achievement to your team, setting the stage for a successful new year. We hope you found these holiday team building ideas helpful!
Holiday Team Building Activities FAQs
1. What are some fun holiday team-building activities?
Popular options include festive scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms and trivia quizzes. In 2026, many of these activities can be run virtually, in-person or hybrid, using your team’s own devices for a smooth and inclusive experience.
2. How can holiday team building activities boost morale?
They give employees a chance to relax, celebrate achievements and enjoy each other’s company outside of day-to-day work. This helps reduce end-of-year stress, encourages collaboration and builds stronger team connections.
3. What are the benefits of Wildgoose’s virtual holiday activities in 2026?
Our activities run on technology we own, so there are no extra licence fees or iPad rentals. That makes them more affordable, easier to set up, and flexible enough to work across remote, hybrid or global teams.
4. How do I choose the right activity for my team?
Consider team size, location and energy levels. A competitive quiz works well for large groups, while something creative like a scavenger hunt is perfect for mixed remote and in-person teams. We can advise on the best 2026 option to suit your goals.
