‘Tis the season for fun with colleagues! Christmas and the New Year period bring the perfect excuse to let your hair down and enjoy that more relaxed and festive side to our co-workers. To get the party started, read on for some inspo on work Xmas party ideas in Melbourne, a city that’s full of fun options to cheer the spirit of the team up.
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20 Festive Activity Ideas For Teams
Looking for ways to celebrate with your work team? When it comes to Xmas party activities in Melbourne there’s something to get every group feeling festive.
Who doesn’t enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop? Melbourne has some stellar venues where revellers can enjoy the sunset while sipping something amazing, enjoying canapés and grooving to DJ sets. Perfect for a relaxed yet glam vibe. Venues like Strato, The Stolen Gem and HER Rooftop have creative cocktails, great menus and guaranteed party vibes. Whatever you decide to do, there are plenty of options for all budgets and team sizes.
While we’re on the theme, Cookery or Cocktail Making workshops also make for great festive fun and are guaranteed to bring the team together. Learn how to make like a true mixologist and impress colleagues with Negronis, Margaritas and Martinis with a festive twist, or check out venues like Heavenly Morsel for unforgettable Christmas cookery workshops.
How about enjoying the region’s iconic wines and heading out of the CBD on a wine-tasting trip to the nearby Yarra Valley? Or if you want to stay within the city and get creative to boot, you can enjoy a few wines and paint up a storm at an Art and Sip class. If you’re looking to push the boat out (literally), then a private cruise down the Yarra with drinks, canapés, DJs and stunning city views is the perfect way to celebrate Yuletide with colleagues. What a fun way to bond with the team!
For something low effort but great for a laugh (hopefully), why not head to a Comedy Club Night followed by a few drinks? Established Melbourne Venues like Comedy Republic or The Comic’s Lounge are perfect for a festive night out with the gang. Or if you prefer to laugh at each other, maybe a night at a karaoke bar is in order? Watch your colleagues warbling along to ‘Last Christmas’ at top venues like KBOX Karaoke or Heroes Karaoke Rooftop Bar. Well, it is Christmas after all.
Looking for more fun staff Christmas party ideas in Melbourne? Cinemas are the answer you’ve been searching for. The city has cinemas that you can rent for private screenings, so work groups can bond along with Christmas classics (maybe ‘Home Alone’ or ‘Die Hard’?). Or for some high-octane fun, there's always one of Melbourne's' excellent Escape Rooms for some problem-solving followed by a few drinks afterwards.
The Royal Botanic Gardens is the perfect venue for a family-friendly Christmas do. Pack a picnic and enjoy some live, festive tunes or Christmas party games in this beautiful space. Prefer the beach? Make the most of the warm December weather and take the team to nearby St Kilda. It’s the perfect excuse to organise a traditional Aussie BBQ, great for teams looking for a casual, budget-friendly option.
For something more gourmet, hire one of Melbourne’s fantastic food trucks and celebrate Xmas in the work courtyard or at a local outdoor area. Think to-die-for burgers, top-class Asian dishes or whatever the team fancies. Add some tunes and drinks and voilá – the ultimate festive vibe!
For modern fun with a retro twist, head to a local arcade for bowling or VR games. Feeling competitive? Try Laser Tag and bring out that festive spirit! These activities are perfect for laid-back team fun, and many venues offer Christmas-themed drinks and snacks to keep the celebrations going.
And last but not least, to close our list of ‘Xmas party ideas in Melbourne’ we have a Christmas-themed fancy dress party. It’ll always be good for plenty of laughs and is easy to plan. Whether it’s a casual gathering at the pub or a sit-down meal at one of Melbourne’s fabulous eateries. Want to go all out? Get glammed up and head to one of the city’s legendary live music venues like The Toff in town and the Corner Hotel in Richmond for an unforgettable night.
Planning Tips
As with any festive event, it’s best to plan early…Everyone else will be booking their celebrations too! If you’re thinking of a comedy show, live music, or the hottest rooftop bar in town, secure your spot well in advance. Start asking colleagues about their preferences earlier in the year to get a sense of what the team would enjoy.
Keep in mind that prices soar in December, so consider hosting the event midweek or choosing one of the budget-friendly options mentioned above. Ultimately, the goal is simple: bring colleagues together to relax, have fun, make memories, and strengthen team bonds.
Another key consideration is where to stay. If your team is heading into Melbourne, Oaks Hotels offer stellar accommodation options. The Oaks St Kilda Road Hotel is the perfect spot, with flexible event spaces available if you’d like to host your Christmas do there. For a central location, the Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel has everything on your doorstep. It also boasts impressive on- site facilities, including event spaces, a restaurant, pool, spa, sauna and gym. Perfect for making the most of a Christmas getaway with the team.
In Summary
Whatever your team-building goals for the festive season, there's something for everyone in Melbourne, from laid-back, low-budget days at the beach or Botanic Gardens, to high-end dinners and cocktails at the city’s most glamorous spots. There are so many fun staff Christmas party ideas in Melbourne. As for making sure everyone makes it to the office the next day…Well, that’s a different story!
FAQs
What is there to do in Melbourne for Christmas?
There are so many activities to do! Take a cruise down the River Yarra, go wine-tasting together, head to the beach or the park for a picnic, games or a traditional Aussie barbie. Glam up for dinner or cocktails at one of the city’s rooftop bars, get creative at an Art and Sip class, play Laser Tag or go bowling...Discover all the hidden gems in Melbourne and let your imagination run wild!
What should I keep in mind when looking for Melbourne Christmas party venues?
Now that you have a well curated list with Xmas party ideas in Melbourne, you just need to find the perfect space for it. Remember that this is probably the busiest time of year, so you need to get ahead of the crowd if there’s a particular event or venue in mind.
Where can you throw a Christmas party?
The great thing about Melbourne is that you can head to the beach or a park for an outdoor event; book one of the many leisure-focused venues, like bowling or VR; take the team for cocktails or dinner at a bar or restaurant; head out onto the river and organise a Christmas cruise; go wine- tasting at a winery in the Yarra Valley; stay at a hotel and organise drinks and games on-site...It all depends on the budget and team preferences.
How do you fun Christmas party for adults?
Think about your team’s preferences; consider running a quick survey beforehand to get a sense of what everyone would enjoy. Most colleagues will appreciate a setting where they can relax and have fun, and organized activities are a great way to break the ice and shift out of work mode.
What are the most hilarious Christmas party games?
If you’re in need of work Xmas party ideas in Melbourne, you won’t be thinking about traditional games but Kids party games can work surprisingly well with adults as well, so games like Musical Chairs, with some Christmas classics blasting, Pass the Parcel, with novelty Christmas gifts or Santa Says (think Christmas ‘Simon Says’) are always fun and need practically no organisation. If you’re outdoors, Christmas sack races can be hilarious, and a Christmas Song lip-sync battle (with costumes and props) is always a hit.
