Holiday Excess: 10 Over-the-Top Corporate Christmas Parties

Written by Rachel Schneider on December 16, 2024 updated December 18, 2024

A lively party unfolds as a group of people clink champagne glasses in a celebratory toast. Some don festive hats, while bright, natural light fills the space, highlighting the joyful atmosphere.

xavierarnau/istockphoto

Whether you’re planning an opulent corporate Christmas party and need inspiration or just looking to live vicariously through others, there are a handful of corporate holiday gatherings that are the stuff of legend. We rounded up some of the most lavish examples below, including parties thrown by huge companies and ones attended by lucky Redditors. Who knew endless caviar was even an option?

1. Big Fat Greek Google

A woman in a white dress stands in the foreground, looking toward a historic site with columns under a clear blue sky. Tourists fill the area, exploring the ancient ruins in the sunlit setting. — Vuk Saric/istockphoto

Vuk Saric/istockphoto

For their 2004 corporate Christmas party, Google transformed San Francisco’s Pier 48 into “Googlympus” — a recreation of ancient Greece. There were more than 10,000 attendees, a live orchestra, and even mermaids.

2. Luxury After Luxury

An elegantly set banquet hall with round tables draped in pink tablecloths and white floral centerpieces. Plates of salad, glasses, and gift bags adorn each table. Rows of chairs and a stage are visible in the background. — Ben Horton/Getty Images for Bloomingdale’s

Ben Horton/Getty Images for Bloomingdale's

“One year, our firm had a private dinner at Montage Laguna Beach, a spa day, a weekend at the Bellagio, and a party bus. It was epic.” – u/chewbekkers

3. Roaring ’20s Indeed

Four people in vintage 1920s attire stand against a red curtain. Two women in elegant dresses and two men in suits with hats hold drinks, capturing a classic jazz or speakeasy vibe. — chemc/istockphoto

chemc/istockphoto

Yahoo dropped millions on their holiday party in 2015, channeling the charm of the 1920s in the most lavish ways possible. The party included a speakeasy, a Rolls-Royce, and plenty of other opulent features.

4. ALL the Finer Things

A sunlit outdoor dining table set for six with white dishes, glassware, and silverware. A bottle of wine sits in the center. In the background, there's a garden with lounge chairs and trees. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. — Fani Kurti/istockphoto

Fani Kurti/istockphoto

“Last year I rented a mansion in Pac Heights (SF) and we booked a 3-star Michelin chef to serve cater dinner and brought in a winery for wine tasting. We had live music and whiskey after.” – u/SignificanceWise2877

5. Lessons in Luxury

A person wearing a watch is holding the steering wheel of a BMW car. The dashboard shows various gauges and controls, and the view through the windshield reveals a street and buildings. — Alexandr Baranov/istockphoto

Alexandr Baranov/istockphoto

“My CEO took our leadership team to a BMW Driving Experience School. It was absolutely something I would never have done on my own and incredibly memorable and bonding.” – u/ginabeewell

6. Go Big or Go Daddy

A group of people stand together at night, watching a vibrant fireworks display in the sky. Their backs are to the camera, and some have their arms raised in celebration. The night sky is filled with colorful bursts of light. — skynesher/istockphoto

skynesher/istockphoto

Go Daddy’s iconic 2010 holiday party pulled out all the stops. The company flew in out-of-state employees and hired big-name performers like ZZ Top and Jewel to entertain guests. There was also a fireworks show and $1 million worth of prize money handed out to employees during the night.

7. High Rollers

A poker chip with a heart design is mid-air above a casino table. Focused in the foreground, it contrasts with a group of people dressed in formal attire and standing around the table, which is blurred in the background. — gorodenkoff/istockphoto

gorodenkoff/istockphoto

“Last year we did a casino night with big prizes and it was a blast. Hired a casino company, DJ, Photo Booth, and I did a lot of decor and it was at an upscale restaurant.” – u/jmarita1

8. We Want To Go All In!

A festive table setting with a dish of caviar on ice in the foreground and champagne glasses, glowing lights, and sparklers in the blurred background. The scene suggests a celebration or special occasion. — GMVozd/istockphoto

GMVozd/istockphoto

For their 2024 holiday party, the podcast group “All In” had quite the spread of food — from endless caviar and oysters to exotic fruits and cheeses. There was even an espresso martini station!

9. Google Does it Again

A whimsical setting features chandeliers with lit candles, a multi-tiered white cake adorned with butterflies, and a tree wrapped in foliage and purple butterflies. Flower arrangements with pink and purple hues enhance the enchanting atmosphere. — Gonzalo Calle Asprilla/istockphoto

Gonzalo Calle Asprilla/istockphoto

Google is all about themes when it comes to holiday parties, and in 2019 the theme was “Enchanted Forest.” The event was inspired by the world’s most famous fantasy novels, transporting guests to another world (or several other worlds) for the evening.

10. Amazon’s Rager

A group of elegantly dressed people is toasting with champagne glasses at a formal party. They are smiling and standing on a wooden floor, with a background of other guests and soft lighting. — g-stockstudio / istockphoto

g-stockstudio/istockphoto

When Amazon throws a party to thank its employees, the guests arrive in troves … to the tune of 22,000 people. In 2017, the biggest retailer in the world hosted more than 20,000 employees to thank them for all their hard work, transforming the largest event center in Seattle into its own winter wonderland.