Have you ever been to a great company holiday party? One where you befriend new coworkers, bond with management, and truly enjoy the event? Work stresses or frustrations tend to melt away. And you can just appreciate the people you work with 40 hours a week!
A fantastic company holiday party is an ideal way to cap off the year and set the tone for the upcoming months. When done right, employees can reap real and lasting benefits from a fantastic holiday soiree.
A UK survey showed that when employees have the opportunity to foster friendships with coworkers, 32% of workers say they are more productive. 22% say it promotes creativity, and 57% say it makes work more enjoyable. From improving company culture to boosting individual employee engagement, treating your team to an enjoyable day together can have even more benefits than passing out bonuses.
But, a company holiday party needs to be successful to reap those benefits. A cookie-decorating activity in the break room just won’t cut it for a holiday party. When you invest in your employees, they invest in you — so this is your excuse to throw one hell of an event!
Here are our top tips and recommendations for throwing an incredible San Francisco company holiday party that your team will love.
Tips for planning a San Francisco Company Holiday Party
Keep the Weather in Mind
The last thing you want to do the day of your event is stress out about San Francisco’s famously fickle winter weather. Planning an event around the holidays means taking some potentially cold and dreary weather into account.
We have laid out some fun holiday party ideas later on in this post that are San Francisco winter-friendly. So your event will never get fogged, chilled, or rained out!
Choose an Engaging Activity
Being creative with your event plans will set the tone of your company holiday party. Especially if you’re trying to foster relationships and build bonds within your team. Relying 100% on the small talk around a dinner table may work for some companies… But others will find that including an engaging activity can help your team loosen up and bond over a common goal.
Needless to say, this activity needs to be great to not feel forced! Consider investing in an activity a couple of steps above the standard icebreaker games.
Keep the Theme Universal
Christmas activities and games are fun but limiting. Instead, consider creating an inclusive company holiday party atmosphere. One that welcomes people who celebrate Christmas, and those who don’t.
Invest in Fun!
Be thoughtful with your event planning! You want your employees know you put effort into the party. The more exciting, extravagant, creative, or fun a corporate event you plan, the more benefits your team can enjoy.
Why Work with Dylan’s for Your Corporate Party?
Having a team of dedicated party experts takes the confusing and time consuming party planning details out of your hands. You can just sit back and enjoy the day with your team!
Here are some benefits to working with Dylan’s when planning your San Francisco corporate holiday party!
Logistics Are All Planned Tor You
Dylan’s guides and drivers will take on the transportation responsibilities and keeping the team on scheduling. So those in charge of party planning can enjoy the evening with their coworkers!
Transportation is Included — Best Option When Alcohol is Involved
Making sure everyone has safe transportation from bar to bar in a luxury minibus offers a comfortable way to travel. It also allows everyone to have a great time without worrying about designated drivers!
Our Team Can Customize Experiences to Your Needs and Preferences
From office pickups to heading to dinner reservations, you can plan the evening you want! Dylan’s is here to help bring your holiday company party run seamlessly. This may include transportation, a progressive dinner, or sightseeing of the holiday lights.
Excellent Guides Can Boost the Holiday Spirit
As expert locals and San Francisco’s biggest fans, our guides know the ins and outs of the city. They have many interesting facts and stories to tell as you drive through the SF streets! More than that, our fantastic guides know how to bring the holiday spirit.
When You Plan a Team-bonding Activity with Dylan’s, You Get:
- A pickup and drop-off service from anywhere in the city for easy transportation logistics
- An option of using a luxury bus, exciting e-bikes, or a combination of both
- A completely customizable, “off-menu” San Francisco experience
- The chance to plan a tour that fits the needs of both locals and visitors so everyone has a great time
Our team can help you plan a San Francisco off-site party that your company will be talking about into the new year. Reach out to our team to chat about all the different off-sites we can arrange for your company!
Activities in San Francisco for a Company Holiday Party
From creative team building activities to impressive event spaces, here are our favorite memorable and unique San Francisco corporate holiday party ideas.
Tour San Francisco’s Holiday Lights
What’s more classic than a winter drive through the best holiday lights in San Francisco? Our city does not skimp on the holiday spirit and has several hot spots to see. So head out of the town with your coworkers on a private luxury minibus to see the best ones!
When it comes to festive spots, here are our favorite areas for group photos and holiday fun:
- Union Square: See the giant Christmas tree, ski rink, and impeccably-decorated storefronts.
- Pier 39: See a Christmas tree with lights synchronized to holiday music.
- Fisherman’s Wharf: Take a holiday photo with the decked-out Fisherman’s Wharf Sign.
- Inverted Christmas tree at Westfield: Ogle at a spectacular upside-down 50-foot crystal tree.
Before or after the trip around the holiday lights, you can add stops. Think hot chocolate, cocktails, dinner, or whatever pit stop generates the most holiday cheer!
Dish Up Some Holiday Cheer With A Group Cooking Class
Nothing quite like putting on a festive apron and trying your hand at a new baking recipe… But now make it a contest among your coworkers!
This cooking challenge is held in an adorable kitchen near the buzzing activity of Fisherman’s Wharf. It also supports friendly competition as teams take on a baking challenge. From a Great British Bake-Off-style cupcake decorating competition to a cooking challenge á la Iron Chef, you can find something fun to try!
Want to take the challenge out of the evening and have some low-key fun cooking? This company also hosts gourmet cooking experiences focusing on the flavors and techniques over a competition.
Go for Traditional Holiday Fun in Union Square with Ice Skating
Nothing says “holiday season” more than ice skating and hot chocolate! The giant ice rink at Union Square makes for an ideal afternoon or evening of casual fun. Crowded with other festive friends, it makes for a classic holiday atmosphere.Christmas Carols and spots for warm drinks await.
Cap off the evening with a beautiful dinner at the nearby Slanted Door. Here you’ll have yourself a traditional, yet fun company holiday party.
Explore The Holiday Spirit of Sausalito
A small town completely adorned with holiday decorations is a sight to behold! Luckily, that sight is only just across the Golden Gate Bridge. So hop on one of our luxury minibuses to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy an afternoon or evening exploring Sausalito.
While in this quaint waterfront town during the holidays, you can peruse the festive storefronts. You’ll also stroll past some merrily-decorated boats in the marina!
Once done taking in the holiday sights of the town, your group can head to Poggio Trattoria for a beautiful dinner in a private event room.
All, of course, with simple and comfortable luxury minibus company event transportation back into the city when you’re done.
Book One of San Francisco’s Beautiful Venues for a Classic Holiday Party
Want to plan an evening that is refined and elegant without losing the fun? Check out these beautiful event spaces perfect for hosting a fantastic evening.
The Hibernia: From ornate ceilings to giant flower displays… This elegant venue has had no shortage of fabulous corporate holiday events!
Lazy Bear: Lazy Bear is not so much a venue as it is the x-factor to a venue. This inventive idea makes sitting around the dinner table as one unit is trendy and unique. It’s great for small teams and groups up to 12 people. Lazy Bear creates an incredible experience at your chosen location!
25 Lusk: One of the more moody party venues in the city, 25 Lusk, is full of intimate lighting, distressed wood and concrete accent walls. They’re able to host anywhere from 10-550 guests. This venue can cater to your every need!
Holiday Bar Crawl – Dylan’s
One thing is for sure. You can rarely go wrong with a holiday-themed bar crawl! Theyr’e perfect for a casual company holiday event. Put on your best ugly Christmas sweaters and embark on an adventure that takes you to the best and merriest bars around town!
When you plan your holiday company bar crawl with Dylan’s, you can rest easy knowing you have a ride from and back to the workplace. You’ll also have transportation to each bar stop. And tons of opportunities for photo ops at Treasure Island and Hawk Hill!
Host a Wine and Cheese Evening
Wine and cheese–can you name a better duo? Learn about this culinary power couple with a wine and cheese night at The Cheese School.
This company doubles – no – triples as a lovely wine bar, renowned cheese school, and top-rated catering company to offer private events and classes. They will pique the interest of every wine connoisseur and cheese lover on your team.
The “eating is learning” philosophy they hold makes for a delicious AND engaging night as you taste terrific products and learn from the experts.
Enjoy A Tour of San Francisco and The Nightlife – Dylan’s
Is your team a bunch of clowns that can’t get enough of the San Francisco comedy scene? Boy, do we have a great tour option for you!
Our comedy night tour takes the standard bar crawl to new, unique levels with a belly-laugh-inducing twist. Our comedy bus features outrageously entertaining comedians. And, of course, hilarious San Francisco-themed skits! You’ll get to see the best of downtown San Francisco, along with photo stops. The beautiful lights of Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge are sure to impress.
Bring your own drinks, kick back, and enjoy the show as your hilarious hosts hit you with their best bits.
It’s not the magic of the holidays – it’s a proven fact! A great company holiday party can foster productivity, positivity, and overall success in the workplace.
These ideas only scratch the surface for fantastic San Francisco company holiday parties. If you have different preferences, desires or goals to get out of your festive company event, reach out to our team! We are happy to tailor our transportation and event planning service to match your holiday vision.
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