20 entertainment ideas for corporate events that your guests will love

The days of dull corporate events featuring nothing more than stale coffee and a tired DJ set are long gone. Guests want something that stands out from the ordinary. In fact, a recent Eventbrite study suggests that nearly three-quarters of professionals are in search of meaningful, transformative experiences.

Think about it:

• When was the last time you remembered a corporate event's entertainment?
• What made that experience stick with you?

Over the past decade, we’ve planned hundreds of corporate events. We’ve seen which entertainment ideas make people light up and which ones flop silently. 

So, how do you create a corporate event that’s not just a stiff business meeting, but something people actually want to attend? In this post, we’ll look at planning techniques, trends, and 20 truly memorable entertainment ideas that will help your next corporate event become the talk of the town.

3 tips for corporate event entertainment planning

Before you dive straight into booking aerial dancers or crafting a VR treasure hunt, you need to lay some foundations. It all starts with selecting the right entertainment for your corporate event. 

Know what your audience wants

First, get to know what your guests are into. Surveys and interviews help you get a clear picture: ask your future guests what kind of entertainment they enjoy. Cover a range of topics, from music genres to preferred activity levels. 

Next, consider who your audience is. Their age, cultural background, and industry may affect their preferences. 

• Are they a younger, tech-savvy crowd who’ll love trying out a cutting-edge VR installation? 
• Or a more senior group that might prefer a charming jazz trio or a hands-on mixology class? 
• And if your team is health-conscious, adding a wellness corner or offering low and no-alcohol serves could be a fantastic way to cater to their tastes. 

Keep an eye on the budget

Entertainment expenses can balloon if you don’t keep a careful eye on them. But bear in mind that some of the most memorable entertainment isn’t always the priciest. Sometimes, smaller experiential touches—like a mobile bar serving bespoke signature cocktails—can have just as much impact as a big-name headline act. 

Strive for balance: invest in one showstopper feature, and then add smaller, complementary activities to keep the vibe buzzing all day (or evening) long.

Mix up your entertainment

Variety can turn a decent event into a brilliant one. Perhaps a lounge area with live acoustic music in one corner, a digital quiz game in another, and a dedicated space for quiet conversation. This layering of options ensures there’s something to delight everyone.

Corporate event entertainment trends

Entertainment for corporate events has shifted. Today’s audiences are looking for interaction, immersion, and innovation.

AR and VR events

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are no longer gimmicks: they’re tools that can take your corporate event to the next level. Imagine guests slipping on VR headsets to virtually tour your company’s new product line, or scanning a code on their smartphone to unlock an AR-driven scavenger hunt around the venue. 

These activities create instant engagement and can turn passive spectators into active participants.

Hybrid events 

Hybrid events—combining in-person and virtual attendance—remain hugely popular. With many professionals now working remotely or spread across multiple countries, providing an online access point can draw a broader audience. This approach ensures that those who can’t hop on a plane can still participate, ask questions, and engage with activities. Hybrid elements might include live-streamed performances, online games mirrored by their real-life counterparts, or digital polls connecting people around the globe in real-time.

Sustainable practices

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword. Many attendees, particularly younger professionals, want corporate event entertainment that reflects a company’s values. This could mean, for example, hosting an event in an eco-friendly venue, cutting down on waste, and using energy-efficient LED screens or digital branding displays. 

Corporate event entertainment options that incorporate sustainability help show that the company is forward-thinking and responsible. Perhaps an art installation made from recycled materials or a zero-waste cocktail demonstration using citrus husks and leftover garnishes to create delicious ingredients like Oleo Saccharum.

20 creative entertainment ideas for corporate events 

Now, let’s dive into the fun part. Here’s a list of 20 corporate event entertainment ideas that appeal to a variety of budgets, interests, and company cultures. 

1. Immersive VR Zones: Set up VR headsets and let guests step into a virtual world related to your company’s products or goals. It’s a brilliant icebreaker and conversation starter.
2. Augmented Reality Exhibits: Use AR technology to create interactive product demos, treasure hunts, or themed quizzes that encourage attendees to explore the venue.
3. Silent Disco Networking: Hand out wireless headphones and let guests choose between different music channels. It’s quirky, fun, and helps break the ice in a surprisingly relaxed way.
4. Live Art Performances: Hire a local artist to paint or sculpt in real-time. This can reflect your company’s brand values—imagine a mural inspired by your latest campaign coming to life before everyone’s eyes.
5. Gourmet Food and Drink Stations: Food can be entertainment, too. Think build-your-own mocktail stations, an artisanal cheese-tasting area, or an interactive chocolate workshop.
6. Themed Escape Rooms: Custom-designed escape rooms based on industry themes can challenge attendees to solve puzzles collaboratively, encouraging teamwork and sparking friendly competition.
7. Digital Graffiti Walls: Let guests express their creativity by “painting” with digital spray cans on a large interactive screen. The result is a collective masterpiece and plenty of laughs.
8. Live Comedy or Improvisation Shows: A comedy set referencing industry quirks can charm even the stiffest audience. Improvisation groups can bring spontaneous fun and involve guests in light-hearted sketches.
9. Mixology Classes: Invite a professional mixologist to teach guests how to craft their own signature drinks. Non-alcoholic options fit right in, so everyone can take part.
10. Aerial Acrobatics or Contemporary Dance: A visually stunning performance can captivate an audience, leaving a lasting impression as the performers float gracefully above the stage.
11. Wellness Corners: Include yoga sessions, guided meditations, or massage stations for those who need a break from the networking bustle. Health-focused activities show you care about attendees’ well-being.
12. Musical Mash-Ups: Move beyond the standard DJ and hire a genre-bending band or a fusion ensemble. A live acoustic troupe that blends jazz with electronic beats might surprise and delight guests.
13. Photo Booths with a Twist: Swap the standard photo booth for a green screen studio where guests can “teleport” into exotic locations or company-themed scenes. Instant digital sharing is a must, of course.
14. Interactive Projection Mapping: Turn blank walls into dynamic storytelling canvases. Projection mapping can showcase your brand journey, highlight achievements, or simply provide a mesmerising visual spectacle.
15. Team-Building Game Apps: Mobile applications that allow attendees to compete in trivia, scavenger hunts, or puzzle games around the venue are a sure-fire way to get everyone mixing and mingling.
16. Cultural Performances: If your corporate event is international, highlight global diversity with cultural dance shows, music recitals, or storytelling performances that celebrate multiple backgrounds.
17. AR Business Card Exchanges: Replace the old-fashioned stack of paper cards. Let attendees exchange AR business cards via smartphones, popping up company logos or fun animations as they connect.
18. Pop-Up Mini Seminars: Short, entertaining talks or workshops can provide both insight and amusement. For instance, a “Future Trends in Tech” lightning talk or a “Sustainability Secrets” micro-seminar that takes only 10 minutes.
19. Interactive Light Shows: LED installations and responsive light floors that change colour or pattern as people step on them provide an engaging and Instagram-worthy element.
20. Charity Challenge Zones: Incorporate a meaningful cause into your entertainment. Set up mini-challenges like a bicycle-powered smoothie bar, where participants’ pedalling energy blends drinks while raising funds for charity.

Take these corporate event entertainment ideas and adapt them by adding your company's unique touch and what makes your team special. That's how you create corporate events people want to attend – not because they have to, but because they want to be there.

More tips for engaging entertainment for corporate events

Personalise the experience

Events feel special when they reflect the host company’s culture and message. If you’re celebrating a significant company milestone, consider theming your entertainment around that achievement. Imagine a digital timeline projected onto a wall, with attendees adding their favourite memories or photos from past projects. Personal touches show that this event isn’t a soulless function—it’s about real people and shared journeys.

Test ideas ahead of time

Before unveiling a new VR concept or launching a complex team-building game, consider running a small test session with a few team members. Their feedback can help you smooth out any kinks, refine instructions, and make sure the activity is as entertaining as you intended. This requires an upfront time investment but will pay off when your big event runs seamlessly.

Encourage participation

The best events invite guests to take part, rather than just watch. Encouraging active involvement creates a buzz. Live polls, Q&A sessions, and interactive quizzes break the barrier between stage and audience. This dialogue can also provide valuable insights: learning what resonates with your guests can guide future event planning.

Focus on sensory appeal

Don’t limit your entertainment to just one sense. Music, lighting, scents, and tactile installations can all work together to make a lasting impression. Imagine a calm ambient soundtrack in quiet networking corners, energising beats near the VR games, and the gentle aroma of coffee drifting from the barista corner. When you engage multiple senses, you create emotional connections that help guests remember your event long after it’s over.

Invest in technology wisely

While technology can raise your event’s game, it’s essential to choose tools that match your audience’s expectations. There’s no point investing in cutting-edge VR headsets if your guests aren’t tech-inclined. Conversely, a forward-thinking crowd might expect sophisticated digital engagement. Consider hiring reliable tech support staff, stocking spare equipment, and ensuring stable internet connectivity. Nothing deflates excitement faster than a glitchy setup.

Entertainment is how you level up your corporate event

The right entertainment can transform a corporate event from a mundane obligation into an eagerly anticipated highlight of the year. 

Good entertainment brings people together, helps them connect naturally, and encourages team bonding. Instead of awkward small talk, guests can collaborate on a challenge, learn something new together, or simply share a good laugh.

Entertainment also reflects your brand’s values—be it creativity, sustainability, innovation, or inclusivity. Tailored activities and shows emphasise what sets your company apart.

By understanding your audience, blending trendy tech with personal touches, and throwing in a mix of interactive, sustainable, and playful elements, you can craft an event that guests will remember fondly for months—even years—to come.