27 creative social event ideas for the workplace

Workplace social events foster stronger connections, boost morale, and nurture a culture of collaboration and belonging. Whether held in the office, off-site, or virtually, they break routines and create memorable shared experiences. By mixing celebrations, learning opportunities, and team-building activities, organizations can keep employees engaged across all work models and locations. With just 21% of employees globally engaged at work, it’s clear that workplace social events have a major role to play in employee connection and morale.

10 social event ideas for the office

Office social events strengthen relationships and create a more engaged culture. The best events balance fun with inclusivity, giving employees reasons to connect beyond their daily tasks. Here are 10 actionable ideas you can host in your workplace.

1. Celebrate company anniversaries together

Marking anniversaries unites employees around shared milestones and achievements. Use decorations, favorite food, and even a video montage to highlight your company’s journey while reinforcing pride and belonging. The goal is more than throwing a party, it’s also promoting unity and appreciation.

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2. Recognize big milestones

Milestones are significant achievements that deserve recognition, whether it’s sales targets, product launches, or project completions. Organize a lunch, after-work gathering, or themed celebration to pause, reflect, and thank your team for their efforts. Celebrating milestones motivates employees for future challenges and successes.

3. Host an annual award night

Formal award nights spotlight individual and team achievements. Consider categories that align with your company’s values, such as innovation, leadership, and teamwork. With personalized rewards, speeches, and a celebratory dinner, you reinforce company values, foster employee recognition, and create lasting motivation.

4. Organize an in-house conference

Internal conferences with inspiring speakers or hosts give employees fresh perspectives and valuable learning opportunities. Tailor the event to your industry or focus on broader themes like innovation, teamwork, or well-being. Add workshops or Q&As to keep engagement high and encourage cross-team networking.

5. Plan a pet-at-the-office day

Bringing pets to the workplace can add a layer of joy and relaxation to the workday, promoting a sense of well-being and camaraderie among coworkers. Set clear guidelines and ensure comfort for all employees so the day remains fun, inclusive, and stress-free.

6. Throw themed office parties

From holidays to playful themes like a ’70s disco, themed parties break routines and encourage creativity. Activities, contests, and costumes make them memorable and build stronger team connections. Importantly, these parties should be inclusive, ensuring everyone feels comfortable participating.

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7. Hold regular happy hours

A weekly or monthly happy hour creates space for casual conversations outside work pressures. Whether in the office or at a local venue, such an event is a trusted outlet for connection. The key is consistency and inclusion, ensuring these events are something the entire company looks forward to.

8. Run skill-building workshops

Workshops on cooking, wellness, or creative skills let employees learn while bonding. By involving staff in choosing topics, you ensure relevance and boost participation. These events can facilitate cross-departmental interaction by breaking down silos. This makes them a great way to enrich your team’s work-life experience, promoting a more vibrant corporate culture.

9. Organize a company hackathon

Hackathons challenge teams to solve problems quickly and creatively. They encourage cross-department collaboration, spark innovation, and highlight hidden talent. While traditionally associated with tech companies, hackathons can be adapted to any industry with tasks tailored to your business’s goals. Celebrating the hackathon's outcomes afterwards also fosters employee engagement.

10. Try mystery lunches

Like Secret Santa but with food, mystery lunches pair employees from different teams to share a meal. It breaks silos, fosters new friendships, and turns an ordinary workday into a bonding experience. This event spices up routine workdays and fosters new relationships across your organization.

11 company event ideas outside the office

Out-of-office events give employees a fresh setting to connect, recharge, and collaborate in new ways. From adventure-filled activities to community service, these experiences strengthen bonds and build a more engaged culture. Here are 11 ideas to try.

1. Organize a team tournament

Friendly competition brings energy and connection. Whether it’s sports, trivia, or board games, a tournament outside the office encourages healthy rivalry and lasting memories. Planning such tournaments in a local park or a recreational center offers a change of scenery and encourages team building in a fun, relaxed environment.

2. Plan a company retreat

Retreats strengthen team bonds by combining relaxation, strategy, and team-building. Ensure the event matches everyone’s interests, whether focused on professional development, relaxation, or a mix of both. You might want to avoid setting up your getaway on an island without Wi-Fi unless you aim to experience a real-life game of “Survivor”.

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3. Schedule a one-day off-site

Even a single day away can shift team dynamics. Use off-sites for brainstorming, planning, or bonding in inspiring venues that encourage collaboration and fresh thinking. Choosing a venue that inspires innovation, like a creative workspace or a scenic outdoor location, can invigorate your team and foster unity.

4. Arrange a wellness day

Dedicating a day to well-being (e.g., through yoga, meditation, or nutrition workshops) helps employees recharge, reduce stress, and return with renewed focus. Your coworkers share a relaxing moment and return with boosted morale and a newfound sense of balance.

5. Spend the day at an adventure park

Zip lines, climbing walls, and obstacle courses turn colleagues into teammates. The adrenaline fosters trust, problem-solving, and camaraderie in an unforgettable way. By the end of the day, your team returns to work as co-workers and as a group of adventurers ready to tackle any challenge together.

6. Enjoy food and live music together

Shared meals and live performances create a relaxed atmosphere for authentic connection. Tailor the music to your team’s tastes to make the event truly memorable. Sharing a meal and tapping feet to the music breaks down barriers.

7. Attend a cooking class

Cooking together blends learning and teamwork. Preparing and enjoying a meal as a group fosters a sense of shared accomplishment. Moreover, it can be a fun and meaningful way to learn about diverse cultures and cuisines and connect with people with different backgrounds or interests.

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8. Organize a fundraiser

Fundraising for a good cause builds teamwork while making a social impact. From charity runs to bake sales, collective efforts strengthen purpose and empathy across the team. In the end, it reinforces empathy, generosity, and social responsibility.

9. Volunteer in the community

Group volunteering fosters a sense of contribution beyond the office. Activities like shelter work or cleanup days emphasize compassion and civic responsibility. Volunteering offers a break from the corporate environment, allowing team members to see each other in a new light and gather for the common good.

10. Schedule a cleanup day

Cleaning a park, beach, or local area combines promotes the importance of sustainability in business while offering a team-building opportunity. It reinforces responsibility, pride, and collaboration while supporting a greener community. Plus, it’s a hands-on way to show your company’s sustainability commitment.

11. Go for a team hike

Hiking combines exercise, nature, and informal conversations. It promotes stress relief, and personal connection while building trust through a shared outdoor adventure. Being outdoors has also been linked to improved mental health. Plus, sports reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

6 virtual social event ideas for work

Virtual social events help remote teams stay connected and build camaraderie without being in the same physical space. The most effective events are simple to join, inclusive, and designed to spark conversation and fun. Here are six ideas that work well for distributed teams.

1. Go on a virtual safari tour

A virtual safari offers a unique shared experience outside the work routine. Teams join live-streamed tours led by guides who showcase wildlife and ecosystems while answering questions. It’s a refreshing, educational way to bond and spark conversations that last beyond the event.

2. Organize an online karaoke

Virtual karaoke turns living rooms into stages and shy teammates into performers. Singing solo or in duets creates laughter, confidence, and stronger connections. It’s easy to set up, requires little equipment, and lets everyone express themselves in a lighthearted way.

3. Plan a digital speed dating session

Digital speed dating connects employees through quick, structured conversations in breakout rooms. Short 3–5 minute chats break down silos, encourage networking, and help colleagues discover shared ideas or interests in a fun, fast-paced format.

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4. Gather for virtual coffee breaks

Online coffee breaks recreate the casual chats around the office coffee machine. Scheduling short, regular meetups keeps team spirit alive and gives people a social pause without disrupting workflows. Choose a user-friendly video conferencing platform and schedule a regular time, like a daily 10:30 a.m. check-in.

5. Play online games and tournaments

Virtual games add energy and friendly competition to the workweek. Options like trivia, scavenger hunts, or multiplayer strategy games promote collaboration and problem-solving. Platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can facilitate the event, paired with gaming sites or apps such as Kahoot, Jackbox Games, or virtual multiplayer games.

6. Share a virtual drink or food tasting

Whether it’s wine, chocolate, cheese, or coffee, guided tastings create a shared sensory experience. During the event, a sommelier, barista, or culinary expert can guide the team through the tasting, sharing insights and answering questions. Sending tasting kits to participants ensures everyone can join in fully.

Final thoughts: How social events build a stronger workplace

Combining a mix of on-site, off-site, and virtual corporate events is excellent for building a strong and connected team. Investing in such activities will enhance employee satisfaction and commitment and foster an organizational culture that prioritizes well-being, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. Whether celebrating milestones, going on a virtual safari together, or giving back to the community, each event is a step toward a more vibrant, connected, and happy workplace.

Don’t forget to add those office events to your company calendar if you’re already using deskbird! If you don’t, request a free demo to discover the perks of our user-friendly hybrid workplace management tool!