1. Secret missions
Everyone draws a sealed card with a harmless mission (“get three people to say ‘cinnamon’”, “find out someone’s favourite holiday film”). At dessert, people reveal and guess missions. Runs quietly in the background all evening.
Christmas party games for a restaurant dinner
Updated: 2026-10-19
Most company Christmas parties happen at a restaurant table, which rules out anything loud, physical or projector-based. The games below fit between courses, need only paper or a phone, and won’t annoy the next table.
Ask the restaurant whether you can have a separate room or a long table; it makes table-quiz rounds much easier.
The games
2. Party bingo
A bingo card with things that will happen at the party (“someone mentions the snow”, “find a colleague who has never seen Home Alone”). First full line wins. Gives quiet people a reason to start conversations.
3. Team holiday trivia
Split into teams of 4–6, play 4–6 short rounds (movies, music, traditions around the world, a round about your own company). Teams write answers on one sheet, so nobody has to shout an answer alone.
4. Emoji Christmas movie quiz
Show a row of emojis (🏠👦😱) and teams guess the film or song. Works on a projector, in a video call or printed on the table. Ten emojis take about ten minutes.
5. Blind ranking
Five holiday items are revealed one by one (e.g. cookies, films, songs) and each must be placed 1–5 immediately – no moving later. Sparks easy, low-stakes debate.
6. Forbidden words
Describe a holiday term without the three words printed below it (“Santa” without red, beard, presents). Teams of two at the table, 60 seconds per round.
7. Two truths and a holiday lie
Each person shares three short holiday facts about themselves; the others guess which one is invented. Keep it to holiday topics (worst gift, family tradition) so nobody overshares.
8. Estimation jar
Fill a jar with sweets or baubles; guests write their guess on a slip. Closest guess wins the jar. Zero pressure, zero explanation needed.
Host tips
- Print materials in A5 – they fit next to plates.
- Play between courses, never during the main course.
- Bring pens! Restaurants never have enough.
- Tell the service staff your rough timing so courses don’t arrive mid-round.
FAQ
Can we do a quiz without a projector?
Yes – the host reads questions aloud and each table answers on a printed sheet. Or put the questions on printed table cards.
What game is best at a long table?
Secret missions or bingo: both work without everyone hearing the same thing.