39 Party Games for Christmas That Bring Back Holiday Fun in 2025
Christmas gatherings look a little different these days. Half the room is scrolling, someone’s swapping playlists and the rest are waiting for dessert — everyone’s together, but not really together. And it’s not likely to get better any time soon. A recent GamesPress survey shows mobile gaming is set to dominate Christmas downtime this year, which honestly tracks. It’s easy, it’s right there and everyone can join in.
But that doesn’t mean the traditional stuff doesn’t still hit. Christmas is one of the few times people actually want something that pulls everyone into the same moment — the kind of games that get kids competing with adults, start a bit of friendly chaos and turn the day into something everybody talks about.
From holiday twists on games like Cards Against Humanity to quick ideas you can pull out when someone asks what there is to do on Christmas Day, these party games for Christmas bring the room back to life. Simple, festive and made for every mix of people, they’re the easiest way to get everyone laughing again — phones optional.
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- Adult Party Games for Christmas
- Christmas Party Games for Large Groups
- Christmas Party Games for Families
- Funny Christmas Party Games
- Indoor Party Games for Christmas
- Outdoor Party Games for Christmas
Adult Party Games for Christmas
1. Christmas Karaoke
If you want a musical twist for your party games for Christmas, karaoke always delivers. Hand over the song list and let people decide whether they’re going full Jingle Bell Rock, warming up their best Mariah moment or leaning into their inner Michael Bublé. You can turn it into a friendly competition with a judging panel or keep it light-hearted and let everyone enjoy the fun without pressure.
2. Christmas Cocktail Competition
Nothing says festive fun quite like a Christmas cocktail competition. Set up a mini bar with holiday-themed ingredients — think cranberry, cinnamon or peppermint — and let everyone show off their best cocktails. The fun part is the taste-testing at the end, when you all vote on whose creation actually works and who just got a little too confident with the peppermint syrup. It's a great way to get everyone (do a "best mocktails" kid-friendly version ) involved, and, of course, the cocktails add to the holiday spirit.
3. Holiday Trivia
For a game that mixes knowledge with festive fun, holiday trivia is a must. Whether your guests are holiday movie buffs, Christmas song experts or just love random seasonal facts, this game will challenge and entertain. You can build categories that cover Christmas traditions around the world, iconic holiday moments or classic Christmas movie trivia questions. It’s easy to tailor to your crowd, which makes it a reliable addition to any holiday party.
4. Gift Wrap Challenge
Looking for party games for Christmas that combine creativity and competition? A gift-wrapping challenge is an clever way to get everyone’s hands moving. All you have to do is set up a station with gift-wrapping materials and give each participant a random object to wrap, preferably something awkward like a broom or a basketball. The goal is simple: wrap it as quickly and neatly as possible while everyone cheers each other on.
5. Holiday Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is one of those adult party games for Christmas that never fails. It gets guests sharing their funniest holiday truths, from “Never have I ever re-gifted a present” to “Never have I ever gone Christmas caroling.” It gets people talking and is an excellent ice breaker game.
6. Christmas Cookoff or Bakeoff
How do you throw a fun adult Christmas party? A Christmas cookoff always works. Guests bring their best holiday dishes and try to outdo each other, whether it’s festive cookies, a perfect roast or a showy dessert. Set simple categories for appetizers, mains and drinks, then let the group vote on the winners.
And there’s no shame in brushing up before the big day with cooking classes. You can find great cooking classes in Chicago or Baltimore, plenty of Southern picks in places like New Orleans, online cooking classes and other cooking classes near you, no matter where you're based.
7. Most Likely To
Another exciting game to add to your list of Christmas games is Most Likely To. It's easy to play and always leads to people learning a little more about each other, sometimes more than they expected. Everyone takes turns reading statements like “Most likely to eat all the Christmas cookies” or “Most likely to show up late to the Christmas party,” and the group votes on who fits it best. If you want something more fast-paced afterward, our guide to games like UNO has plenty of card-slapping chaos to try.
Christmas Party Games for Large Groups
8. Holiday Cookie Decorating Contest
One of the most creative (and delicious) Christmas activities is a holiday cookie decorating contest. Set up a table with sugar cookies, frosting and a handful of festive toppings, then let everyone channel their inner artist. People can go classic with snowmen or get unhinged with reindeer that look slightly concerned, and the best part is that everyone gets to eat their creations afterward.
9. Holiday Scavenger Hunt
A holiday scavenger hunt works well when you’ve got a big crowd and want something lively without over-planning. Create a list of holiday-themed items, such as ornaments, candy canes and Christmas stockings, and hide them around your party venue. Split everyone into teams and set them loose to find as many items as they can within a time limit.
10. Holiday Costume Contest
A holiday costume contest can change the dynamic of the whole night, in the best way. Ask guests to show up in something festive — an ugly Christmas sweater, a Santa suit, a reindeer getup or a Christmas-themed Rhyme Without Reason pairing. Once everyone arrives, run a quick walk-through and let the group vote on their favourites. It immediately sets a light, playful tone for the rest of the party. Pets can absolutely compete too.
11. Name That Tune
If you want something that pulls everyone in without much setup, Name That Tune works every time. Play a few seconds of a Christmas song and see who can call it out first, or split into teams for a competitive edge. Mix classic carols with newer tracks to keep people on their toes, and you’ll have the whole room leaning in and shouting guesses before they even realize they’re playing.
12. Christmas Bingo
Ok, you’ve got bingo — it’s an old favorite. But turn it Christmassy and suddenly it’s one of those party games for Christmas people actually want to play instead of tolerating another round. Swap the usual numbers for holiday icons like Santa, Christmas lights or mistletoe, hand out the cards and let the room settle into that good-natured anticipation. As the game progresses, everyone will be on the edge of their seats, waiting to shout, "Bingo!"
13. White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is one of those Christmas party games that gets unpredictable fast, and that’s exactly the appeal. Everyone brings a wrapped present, then takes turns opening a mystery gift or “stealing” one that’s already been revealed. The more desirable the item, the more it circulates, and the whole thing quickly turns into lighthearted chaos — which is why it also works so well for Christmas party ideas.
Christmas Party Games for Families
14. Gingerbread House Competition
It’s hard to say why, but a gingerbread house competition suddenly turns everyone into an architectural mastermind. Each person or team gets a kit, some icing and a pile of candy, and before you know it, there’s quiet intensity, whispered strategy and a full debate about whether the roof needs structural gumdrops. Set a timer to keep things lively and see who ends up with the most festive gingerbread house or completely unhinged design.
15. Christmas "Guess the Gift"
Test your family's guessing skills with Christmas Guess the Gift. Wrap a handful of mystery items in creative, slightly misleading ways and let everyone try to work out what’s inside by shaking, poking or trusting their instincts. It’s a simple setup that somehow ramps up the anticipation and gets the whole room chatting before the real unwrapping even begins.
16. Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
Keep traditions alive and have everyone show up with their very best ugly Christmas sweater ideas. Turn it into a contest or make it an ugly sweater-themed party. Each family member arrives in their most outrageous holiday sweater, then the group votes on the “ugliest” one. Handmade or store-bought, the sweaters always get people laughing. Add categories like “most creative” or “best DIY” to keep the contest interesting.
17. Santa Says
A Christmas twist on the classic Simon Says, Santa Says is an energetic game that will get the whole family moving. Have "Santa" give commands like, "Santa says clap your hands," or "Santa says hop on one foot." But watch out — if "Santa" gives a command without saying "Santa says," anyone who follows the command is out! This game fits perfectly into any list of party games for Christmas, offering lighthearted fun for all ages.
18. Christmas Charades
What are the old-fashioned Christmas parlor games? Start with Christmas charades. Put together a list of festive phrases, holiday movies or Christmas characters, then let players act them out while everyone else guesses. It’s one of those traditional party games for Christmas that still works because it gets the whole room involved and the guesses get funnier as you go.
19. Who Said It?
Who Said It? is the game that exposes who’s been quietly rewatching Christmas movies all year. Pull together quotes from iconic films, holiday songs and storybook classics, then see who can actually match each line to the right character or singer. Some people will nail it, others will be wildly confident and nowhere close, which is exactly why it works so well around the tree.
20. Christmas Craft Station
Set up a Christmas craft station for all ages to enjoy! From creating personalized ornaments to decorating DIY Christmas cards, this hands-on activity allows everyone to showcase their artistic side. It's an ideal choice for families who enjoy crafting DIY Christmas decorations, DIY Christmas ornaments or DIY Christmas gifts, and it makes a perfect addition to your lineup of party games for Christmas.
Funny Christmas Party Games
21. Rudolph Race
Get ready for some festive competition with the Rudolph Race! In this game, players attach red noses (like Rudolph's) to their faces using petroleum jelly or double-sided tape and race to a finish line without the nose falling off. It’s one of the most energetic Christmas party games, guaranteed to have everyone cracking up as they try to keep their noses in place while running.
22. “Guess the Christmas Smell” Game
As the name suggests, Guess the Christmas Smells is all about identifying signature Christmas smells. To play it, you need to blindfold players and have them sniff various holiday scents like pine needles, cinnamon, peppermint or fruitcake. The challenge is to identify the scents correctly, but the real fun comes from the funny guesses that often follow. This is one of the most entertaining, funny Christmas party games, perfect for testing your guests' noses, and, believe it or not, it’s harder than it seems.
23. Santa’s Secret Dance
Santa’s Secret Dance is basically Christmas-level follow-the-leader. One person is the hidden “Santa,” everyone copies their moves and one unlucky guesser has to figure out who the leader is before the song ends. It works for every age group, and the guessing always gets funnier the longer the music plays.
24. Holiday Mad Libs
Bring out the creativity and laughter with Holiday Mad Libs! This holiday version of the classic word game invites participants to fill in the blanks with funny adjectives, nouns, and verbs, creating hilarious holiday-themed stories. Whether you’re playing with family or friends, this game is sure to be a hit in your lineup of party games for Christmas, generating wild stories to share.
25. Christmas Piñata
There’s something unexpectedly great about a Christmas piñata. Maybe it’s the mix of holiday music, blindfolded swings or the suspense of wondering who’ll finally crack it open. Fill it with candy canes, tiny toys or goofy holiday accessories, and let everyone have a go. When it finally bursts and the whole room dives for treats, you get that perfect bit of joyful chaos that works for kids and adults.
26. Christmas “Telephone” Game
Give the classic telephone game a holiday spin with the Christmas telephone game. Start with a festive phrase like “Santa’s sleigh is stuck on the rooftop,” and whisper it down the line. By the time the last person repeats the phrase out loud, the results are sure to be wildly different and absolutely hilarious.
27. Holiday Spirit Awards
If you're hosting a holiday work party, consider adding some humor with Holiday Spirit Awards! Create light-hearted award categories like “Best Santa Hat,” “Most Festive Outfit,” or “Jolliest Laugh,” and hand out small prizes or certificates. It gives everyone a moment to shine and adds a bit of personality to the party without turning it into a big production.
Indoor Party Games for Christmas
28. Christmas Pictionary
When bad weather keeps everyone inside, indoor party games for Christmas come in handy. Christmas Pictionary is an easy pick: players sketch holiday-themed words or phrases while their team races to guess before the timer runs out. No numbers or symbols make it that much more fun.
29. Christmas Movie Trivia
Put your group's holiday-movie memory to the test with a round of Christmas movie trivia. Pull together questions from the classics and see who actually remembers the small details everyone swears they know. It’s a great indoor option for Christmas party games, especially when you want something nostalgic that gets people talking.
30. Holiday Pass the Slipper
Bring back a traditional favorite with a holiday twist in Pass the Slipper. Everyone sits in a circle and passes a wrapped “slipper” or small gift while the music plays. When the music stops, whoever’s holding it is out, and the circle keeps shrinking until there’s one person left. It’s an easy indoor pick for party games for Christmas and brings just enough suspense to get everyone leaning in.
31. Ornament Balancing Challenge
You wouldn’t think balancing an ornament on a spoon would be hard, and then someone takes three steps and wipes out. That’s the whole charm. Give everyone a spoon, set the course and let the wobbly chaos unfold. It works well as an indoor pick in your party games for Christmas mix, perfect for both kids and adults looking to get active indoors.
32. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
A Christmas spin on the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Pin the Nose on Rudolph challenges players to stick a red nose on a large picture of Rudolph while blindfolded. It’s a simple, fun activity that’s especially popular with kids but enjoyable for all ages. It fits right in with other indoor party games for Christmas and keeps the whole room relaxed and laughing.
33. Christmas Balloon Pop Relay
Liven up the room with a Christmas balloon pop relay. Split players into teams, and have them race to sit on and pop holiday-colored balloons. It’s a fun, fast-paced game that’s sure to get everyone laughing, and it works great in indoor settings where there’s space to move around.
Outdoor Party Games for Christmas
34. Snowman Building Contest
If you’ve got snow to work with, take the party outside for a snowman-building contest. Go solo or split into teams and see who can pull together the best or most creative snowman before the timer runs out.
35. Christmas Relay Races
Host a series of Christmas relay races with a holiday twist. Incorporate challenges like carrying presents or balancing ornaments on a spoon as players race to the finish line. This is a fantastic way to get everyone moving and is a great addition to your lineup of party games for Christmas for some high-energy fun outdoors.
36. Snowball Toss
Snow on the ground opens the door for a snowball toss. Set up a few targets and see who can land the most accurate hits. If you’re in a snow-free area, swap in soft white balls or water balloons and keep the challenge going. This is a great way to add some friendly competition and excitement to your party games for Christmas, especially in a winter wonderland setting.
37. Christmas Cornhole
Set up a festive version of cornhole by decorating the boards with holiday themes and using red and green bean bags. This outdoor favorite is easy to play and keeps everyone entertained. It’s a fun and competitive activity that works perfectly for guests of all ages and is a great outdoor option for Christmas parties.
38. Santa’s Sack Race
Take the classic sack race and give it a festive spin by turning it into a Santa’s sack race. Players hop toward the finish line in sacks while dressed as Santa or elves. This hilarious game is a crowd-pleaser and a perfect addition to any collection of party games for Christmas, ensuring everyone has a good time.
39. Christmas Tug of War
A tug-of-war always hits differently when everyone’s bundled up for Christmas. Grab a festive rope, split into teams and let them battle it out. Santa hats or elf ears make the whole thing even more ridiculous in the best way.
From quick indoor games to full-tilt outdoor chaos, these party games for Christmas bring everyone back into the moment — the way the holiday is meant to feel. A little competition, a little silliness and suddenly the room (or backyard) feels more connected than it has all year.
Whether you’re hosting family, friends or a mix of both, these ideas keep the day moving, give people something to do between meals and help pull everyone away from their screens. And honestly? That’s half the magic.
For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
