A good corporate holiday party does not need to be the biggest night of the year. It needs to feel like your company, give people time to talk, and include one or two moments the team remembers in January. Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas make that easier than most places, with downtown ice rinks, light displays, art museums and event spaces with real character.
Below are 12 corporate holiday party ideas for companies in Tulsa, Bentonville, Rogers and Fayetteville, plus venues, a planning timeline and budget tips.
Holiday party ideas that use the season
1. A private skate night
Both regions build an outdoor ice rink downtown every winter. In Tulsa, Arvest Winterfest sets up a 9,000-square-foot rink next to the BOK Center from late November into early January. In Bentonville, The Rink at Lawrence Plaza covers about 7,000 square feet and offers private parties. Book a private session, add hot chocolate and a food truck, and move to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
2. Dinner and a holiday lights walk
Start with a private dinner and finish with a walk through the lights. In Bentonville, the Square is wrapped in miles of lights from the Lighting of the Square in late November through New Year's. In Fayetteville, Lights of the Ozarks turns the historic Square into one of the region's biggest light displays. In Tulsa, Philbrook Museum of Art and the Tulsa Botanic Garden run their own holiday light events.
3. A holiday party at a museum
Art museums make memorable party venues. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary in Bentonville and Philbrook in Tulsa host private events, and a museum setting works well for a cocktail reception with a short program.
4. A holiday luncheon instead of a night out
For teams with shift workers, parents or long commutes, a daytime party gets better attendance. A holiday luncheon with a short awards moment and a game fits into the workday and costs less than an evening event.
Holiday party ideas with an activity
5. A holiday game show
A hosted game show with buzzers, holiday trivia and team rounds gets the whole room involved, from interns to the CEO. It works for 30 people or 500. See our list of Christmas games for work.
6. A 360 photo booth and a holiday backdrop
A photo booth is the easiest way to add energy after dinner. A 360 booth with a holiday overlay creates short videos people share that night, and a classic booth gives everyone a print to take home. We rent both in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and in Bentonville.
7. A cooking or gingerbread competition
Split the team into groups and give each one a chef, a set of ingredients and 45 minutes. A gingerbread house build is a lighter version that works with families. Both make good content for your internal channels.
8. A charity build
Teams assemble holiday gift kits for a local nonprofit, then deliver them or hand them over at the end of the party. It is one of the most meaningful formats for large groups. Read more ideas for charity team building activities.
9. A casino or murder mystery night
A themed night gives guests something to talk about besides work. Casino tables with play money and prizes, or a murder mystery with characters assigned in advance, both keep people mixing all evening.
Holiday party ideas for the program
10. Short, specific awards
Recognize people for what they actually did this year, with a few categories and short speeches. Keep the whole segment under 20 minutes.
11. A themed dress code
Ugly sweaters, a color theme or a decade theme lower the stakes and break the ice. Add a prize for the best outfit.
12. A gift for everyone
Send people home with something useful with your brand on it, such as a tumbler, a blanket or a holiday box. See our company gift ideas.
Holiday party venues in Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas
| City | Venue type | Examples | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | Event center | The Silo Event Center, Breckenridge Event Center | Seated dinners and dance parties for large teams |
| Tulsa | Hotel and casino | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa | All-in-one parties with rooms for guests |
| Tulsa | Brewery or arts district space | Venues in the Tulsa Arts District | Relaxed parties for small and mid-size teams |
| Bentonville | Downtown event space | The Record | Receptions and dinners near the Square |
| Bentonville | Museum | Crystal Bridges, The Momentary | Cocktail receptions with a wow factor |
| Rogers and Fayetteville | Hotel ballroom or restaurant | Hotels near Pinnacle Hills, private dining rooms in Fayetteville | Larger dinners and parties with out-of-town guests |
When to start planning your holiday party
| Time before the party | What to do |
|---|---|
| 10 to 12 weeks | Set the budget, the date and the format, and book the venue |
| 6 to 8 weeks | Book catering, entertainment, photo booth and transportation, and send a save the date |
| 3 to 4 weeks | Send invitations, confirm headcount, and order gifts and branded items |
| 1 week | Confirm the run of show, dietary needs and setup times with every vendor |
If you are reading this in November, it is not too late. Weeknights and early December dates are easier to book than the last two Fridays before Christmas.
How to stretch your holiday party budget
- Choose a weeknight or a lunch. Venues charge less outside Friday and Saturday nights.
- Book in January. Some companies celebrate in January, when venues are quieter and the team is back from vacation.
- Spend on one moment. A great photo booth or a great host matters more than decor in every corner.
- Bundle vendors. One partner for venue, catering and entertainment usually costs less than coordinating five.
Plan your holiday party with eBombo
eBombo is a corporate event production company. We plan holiday parties in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Bentonville and across Northwest Arkansas, from a private skate night to a corporate Christmas party for hundreds of guests. Tell us your date, your headcount and your budget, and we will send a proposal in less than 48 hours. You can also see our full service for corporate event planning in Tulsa and corporate events in Bentonville.
