This is Why Your Team Absolutely Needs a Christmas Party in January

A Christmas party in January is an inspired way to start a fresh year, lift team spirits, and bring everyone together. So, don’t worry if you realise, come December, the work’s do has disappeared off the radar somewhere between budget sign off and a mince pie mountain.

January parties land big time when diaries have calmed down, prices ease, and your team is ready (or not) to come out of hibernation.

What’s more, a Christmas party in January sets the tone for the year, by welcoming your people back into the fold, without the pressure of December’s organised chaos.

In this article, we’re looking at how to organise corporate events in January to get your teams resetting and reconnecting.

Why is a Christmas Party in January So Powerful?

Fact is January pulls teams together in a way December never manages, because:

·       Schedules open up and people are more flexible across the month

·       Venues have more space, meaning they’re able to offer greater value

·       Teams are keen to regroup with fresh energy after the festive break

For all these reasons, there’s also greater scope to shake up your new year team events beyond time-honoured turkey and tinsel while you rock around the Christmas tree.

How Team Experiences in January Keep it Calm and Bright

Structured corporate events in January support and promote connection from the moment you step back into the office. And you can achieve this without dashing straight back to the bar, with ideas like:

·       A big fat new year quiz night

·       Seasonal food tasting

·       A wellness event with breathwork, meditation and yoga sessions

·       A creative workshop with a selection of wholesome crafts to choose from

Alternatively, light, low pressure winter corporate socials are simple but impactful. Not everyone wants an all-nighter in early January, after all. So, aim for relaxed formats to aid easy conversation, such as:

·       Early evening drinks with themed snacks

·       Simple competitions like karaoke, build your own cocktail or mocktail, or team challenges at competitive gaming venues, like ten pin bowling, digidarts, shuffleboard, beer pong, and indoor crazy golf

·       A relaxed breakfast event if your team prefers more civilised socialising

Reinvigorate with January Away Days

January is a strong moment to highlight achievements from the past year. It brings positive energy into the room and helps set expectations for the months ahead.

For this reason, a change of scenery eases teams back into work mode without plunging them straight into back-to-back meetings.

Out of town hotels and venues are idea choices for new year team events, with plenty of space to think, plus indoor and outdoor spaces for both pursuits and partying.

Why Corporate Events in January are High Achieving Events

No matter what event type you settle on, a Christmas party in January sets a dynamic tone for the whole year when done intentionally, by:

·       Shaking off holiday mode without jumping straight into deadlines

·       Supporting collaboration

·       Encouraging social glue

·       Signalling the organisation values shared experiences

At the Venue Hunters, we’re here to help you plan your winter corporate socials - minus the admin burden.

We do the searching when you need support to plan a Christmas party in January or new year team events.

Our FREE venue finding service saves hours of emails and research. Plus, you gain our venue knowledge and bulk buying power.

Share your brief and we’ll swiftly return with shortlists, availability, and pricing, so your 2026 starts on a high that will last all year long.