Corporate Christmas party trends are moving towards events tailored to the people attending them: formats that encourage conversation, a greater focus on food, shared experiences, sustainable choices and more flexibility when it comes to dates and schedules. Rather than simply maintaining the tradition of an end-of-year dinner, the aim is to create an occasion that reflects the team’s culture and leaves employees with fond memories.
In this article, we explore eight trends that could inspire your company’s next Christmas party, with practical suggestions for each. If you are already planning your event, you can complement this guide with our checklist.
Checklist for organising your company Christmas party
Overview of the trends
| Trend | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Daytime events | Christmas lunches or events that finish earlier |
| Shared experiences | Activities that bring teams together beyond the meal |
| Events outside the city | Venues surrounded by nature, with outdoor areas and privacy |
| Food at the heart of the event | Seasonal menus and formats that encourage guests to mingle |
| Practical sustainability | Less waste and visible, responsible choices |
| Wellbeing and inclusion | Options to accommodate different needs, schedules and preferences |
| Events with accommodation | The possibility of staying overnight and extending the experience |
| Flexible dates | Late November, early December or weekdays |
1. Daytime events and Christmas lunches
Dinner remains the most traditional format, but Christmas lunches are becoming increasingly popular. A daytime event can be easier for employees to balance with family commitments, reduces concerns about travelling late at night and makes the most of natural daylight, particularly at venues surrounded by nature.
For companies that still want a festive atmosphere, an alternative is to start in the early afternoon and finish towards the evening, allowing time for socialising after the meal.
Practical tip: Ask your team which format they prefer before confirming the date. A simple survey can help establish whether most employees would rather attend a lunch, dinner or late-afternoon event.
2. Shared experiences beyond the meal
Corporate Christmas parties are no longer limited to seated dinners and speeches. Many companies are looking to include activities that bring people together in a more relaxed way, whether through a group activity, a short workshop, a tour of the venue or a musical performance.
The key is to ensure that activities are inclusive and optional, so that no one feels obliged to participate. Short activities that do not take up too much of the programme tend to work better than lengthy, highly structured sessions.
Practical tip: Choose an activity that connects with your company’s achievements throughout the year, such as an informal team recognition moment or a collective reflection on the year’s milestones.
3. Leaving the city for a venue surrounded by nature
Replacing the usual restaurant with a countryside estate is a trend that has become increasingly established in corporate events. A change of scenery helps teams disconnect from their daily routines, while the privacy of a dedicated venue makes it possible to adapt the programme to the company’s preferred pace, without the limitations of sharing the space with other guests.
A venue surrounded by nature also offers more opportunities for group photography, an outdoor welcome reception when the weather allows, or simply a more peaceful atmosphere.
Practical tip: When considering venues outside the city, take into account the travelling time from the workplace and the availability of parking for guests.
Venues for corporate Christmas parties
4. Making food the centrepiece of the celebration
Food is often one of the most talked-about aspects of an event. This is why there is growing interest in menus that celebrate the festive season, combining traditional Christmas flavours with contemporary presentations, as well as dining formats that encourage colleagues to mingle.
Standing cocktail receptions and buffets allow guests to interact with colleagues from different teams throughout the event, unlike seated dinners, where guests tend to remain at the same table all evening. Combining both formats, with a standing reception followed by a seated meal, offers a balanced solution for many companies.
Practical tip: Prioritise venues with in-house catering, as this simplifies coordination between the kitchen, service team and venue, while reducing the number of suppliers to manage.
5. Sustainability through practical actions
Sustainability is no longer simply a communication topic. It has become an important selection criterion for many companies, particularly those with established environmental commitments. For Christmas parties, this translates into straightforward choices: reducing food waste, reusing decorations, limiting disposable materials and choosing gifts that serve a genuine purpose.
Across our group, sustainability is an everyday priority. Rainwater is collected and reused for cleaning and garden irrigation, while solar panels contribute to cleaner energy consumption, including for the electric vehicles our team uses to travel between venues. Our food preparation practices also aim to minimise waste and unnecessary excess. At Our Quinta, decorative elements incorporate reclaimed materials and antique pieces, bringing details from previous generations back to life.
Practical tip: Share the event’s sustainable choices with employees. It is a simple way to ensure the celebration reflects the company’s values.
6. Wellbeing and inclusion in the programme
A successful Christmas party is one where everyone feels welcome. This means providing menu options for different dietary requirements and preferences, offering appealing non-alcoholic drinks and ensuring that entertainment is not concentrated entirely at the end of the evening.
Timing and duration also matter. A shorter, thoughtfully planned programme may be more appreciated than a particularly long event. For guests travelling from further away, making the journey home easier is another consideration that can make a real difference.
Practical tip: Collect dietary requirements during guest registration and share them with the venue in advance.
7. Events with accommodation to extend the experience
For companies with teams based in different cities, or those wishing to turn their Christmas party into a more complete gathering, the option to stay overnight at the venue is a clear advantage. It eliminates the need to travel late at night and makes it possible to combine the celebration with a morning meeting or team breakfast the following day.
Our Quinta offers 16 double rooms, while Herdade das Sesmarias, in the Alentejo, provides exclusive accommodation for up to 48 guests, making it an option worth considering for smaller teams looking for an end-of-year retreat.
Practical tip: If overnight accommodation is a possibility, check room availability when booking the venue, as the number of rooms is limited.
8. More flexible dates
Fridays and Saturdays in mid-December remain the most sought-after dates. For this reason, some companies choose to bring their celebrations forward to late November or early December, or organise them on a weekday. These dates may offer greater venue availability, giving companies more flexibility to choose their preferred location and event format.
Postponing the celebration until January, combining the Christmas gathering with the start of the new year, is another alternative that some teams consider.
Practical tip: Identify two or three possible dates before contacting venues. This flexibility makes the booking process easier.
How these trends apply to our venues
The five venues in our group have distinct characteristics, making it possible to select the most suitable location for the format and size of your company’s Christmas party. All offer in-house catering.
| Venue | Key features |
|---|---|
| Casa de Reguengos | Near Mafra. Up to 600 guests for a seated event. Main reception hall overlooking the surrounding countryside, garden and terrace, with an integrated dance floor. |
| Quinta do Casal Novo | Near Mafra. Restored 18th-century building. Up to 300 guests for a seated event. Spacious reception hall, terrace, swimming pool and reflecting pool. |
| Our Quinta | Near Mafra. Intimate atmosphere with wooden details. Up to 160 guests for a seated event. 16 double rooms. |
| Herdade das Sesmarias Monte | Ferreira do Alentejo. A 300-hectare estate with exclusive use of the building. Accommodation for up to 48 guests. |
| Herdade das Sesmarias Barragem | Ferreira do Alentejo. Versatile venue offering a range of activities, including live cooking, canoeing, birdwatching, fishing and meditation sessions. |
For buffet or standing cocktail formats, capacity may be higher than the figures indicated for seated events.
Frequently asked questions
Where can we organise a corporate Christmas party outside the city?
Casa de Reguengos, Quinta do Casal Novo and Our Quinta are located near Mafra, approximately 25 minutes from Lisbon. Herdade das Sesmarias is situated in Ferreira do Alentejo, offering an option for companies looking for a retreat with exclusive accommodation.
Do the venues offer in-house catering?
Yes. The group’s four properties, Casa de Reguengos, Quinta do Casal Novo, Our Quinta and Herdade das Sesmarias, all offer in-house catering.
What is the capacity for a corporate Christmas party?
For seated events, Casa de Reguengos accommodates up to 600 guests, Quinta do Casal Novo up to 300, Our Quinta up to 160 and Herdade das Sesmarias up to 160. Capacity may be higher for buffets or standing cocktail receptions.
Can employees stay overnight at the venue?
Yes, at two of our properties. Our Quinta offers 16 double rooms, while Herdade das Sesmarias provides exclusive accommodation for up to 48 guests.
What sustainability practices do the venues follow?
The group collects and reuses rainwater for cleaning and garden irrigation, uses solar panels, operates electric vehicles for staff travel between venues and works to reduce food waste. At Our Quinta, reclaimed materials and antique pieces are incorporated into the decoration.
Do you host more than one event at each venue? Is the venue exclusive?
No. Each venue hosts only one event at a time, ensuring exclusive use of the space.
A Christmas celebration that reflects your team
You do not need to follow every trend to create a memorable Christmas party. What matters most is choosing the ideas that make sense for your team, your company culture and the number of guests. A thoughtfully planned format, the right venue and attentive service will take care of the rest.
If you would like to discuss your company’s Christmas party, our events team is available to help you find the right venue and format.
Request a quote for your corporate Christmas party
This article includes AI-generated images for illustrative purposes, created using real visual references from the venues.
