From VR to caricature: 25+ corporate event entertainment ideas to maximize engagement

We've organized these ideas by the type of experience they create—immersive, performance-based, food-focused, and so on. Where it makes sense, we'll also show you how to make them work for virtual or hybrid corporate events.

Immersive activities give attendees a shared problem that has nothing to do with work—find the clues, solve the puzzle, play the character. That common goal tends to cut through the usual awkwardness of corporate socializing. People collaborate because the activity requires it, not because they're being told to network.

The tradeoff is logistics: these experiences take time (60-90 minutes minimum), need adequate space, and require buy-in. So it's easier for team-building events than client-facing ones. But they can work for external audiences if you:

• Make participation genuinely optional
• Offer clear opt-outs without social penalty
• Choose activities that don't require everyone to commit fully

Pro tip: Add a question to your event registration form asking if attendees are interested in participating. Event platforms like Zoho Backstage support session registration, allowing attendees to sign up for specific activities during registration. This shows you exact numbers in advance and lets you set capacity limits so you're not scrambling to accommodate more people than the activity can handle.

Escape rooms place small teams in themed spaces where they solve interconnected puzzles to "escape" before time runs out. They're effective because the challenges don't favor seniority or job title—the person who notices the pattern might be anyone. Most companies offering corporate escape rooms let you adjust difficulty and can customize themes.

Scavenger hunts pit teams against one another to find items or complete challenges within a defined area. Simple versions use straightforward lists. More sophisticated ones incorporate riddles, photo tasks, or interactions with planted actors. They work across group sizes and get people exploring a space together.

How to take it online: Virtual scavenger hunt platforms like Let's Roam or GooseChase let remote attendees complete photo or video challenges from wherever they are.

Murder mystery experiences assign attendees characters with conflicting motives and hidden information. Throughout the event—usually over dinner—clues emerge, and participants question each other to identify the culprit. Playing a character gives people permission to interact more freely than they might otherwise. These scale better than escape rooms and can accommodate dozens of attendees.

Pro tip: Send character assignments and light costume suggestions a week ahead. When people arrive already dressed for their role, they've mentally committed to participating.

Augmented reality layers digital elements over the real world—think product demos where you point your phone at a table and see a 3D model appear, or venue maps that guide you through a space. In fact, a Snapchat study found 73% of consumers want AR at events and conferences.

Virtual reality, on the other hand, uses headsets to immerse users in fully digital environments. This is perfect for product launches where you want people to experience something that doesn't exist yet, like a new car model or a building design. For example, at Meta Connect 2025, attendees could try the latest tool, Horizon Hyperscape, which scans real spaces and recreates them in VR.

Live performances shift energy in ways recorded content can't. A performer reads the room and adjusts in real time. They're perfect when you need to change the mood—after long sessions, during cocktail hour for an ambient atmosphere, or as a centerpiece moment. But not so much when your priority is conversation. A comedian or band demanding attention kills networking.

Live bands set the tone of your event directly. A jazz trio during cocktails signals sophistication without drowning conversation. A cover band after dinner gets people moving. The challenge is matching music to your audience—what one group finds engaging, another finds dated.

Also, be sure to ask for video samples of the band performing at corporate events, specifically, not weddings or private parties. The energy and song selection that works for a wedding doesn't always translate to a corporate audience.

Silent disco provides attendees with wireless headphones and multiple-channel options—usually two or three DJs playing different genres simultaneously. People choose their channel and dance to whatever they prefer. It solves the noise problem: you can host it in spaces with sound restrictions, and non-dancers can stand nearby and talk without shouting. It also handles diverse musical tastes better than a single DJ, making it great for multi-generational audiences.

Stand-up comedy works when you want to give people a break from the formal program and create a shared experience that doesn't require participation. Booking a recognizable comedian can also generate PR. When HubSpot brought Jimmy O. Yang to INBOUND 2022, it made news, with attendees (and blogs) mentioning it as something they were looking forward to.

Comedy is subjective—what lands with one audience bombs with another. So vet them thoroughly.

Magicians fit naturally into cocktail hours or between-session breaks. Close-up magic—card tricks, sleight of hand—works the room in small groups without pulling everyone's focus. The constraint with close-up magic is reach—one magician can only engage so many small groups in an hour, so for large events you might need multiple performers.

Pro tip: If a traditional magician isn't the right fit, consider a mentalist or hypnotist instead. Mentalists lean into mind-reading and psychology, while hypnotists rely on audience volunteers. Both can be highly interactive—especially if you have an audience that's willing to play along.

Tarot readers offer short, one-on-one sessions—usually 10-15 minutes—where attendees get personalized readings. They work best as ambient entertainment during networking events or long receptions because they don't interrupt the broader program, and people can opt in if they're curious.

Make it clear that tarot is entertainment, not therapy or fortune-telling, to manage expectations and avoid anyone taking readings too seriously or feeling uncomfortable

Visual entertainment runs in the background of your event without demanding attention, yet still offers attendees something to engage with when they want a break from conversation. The added benefit is that these double as content—photo booths generate social media posts, live artists create keepsakes people take home, and such.

Photo booths give attendees instant, shareable content. Basic setups offer props and a backdrop. Better options include 360-degree video booths, green screens with custom backgrounds, or AI-enhanced filters that brand photos for your event.

They work because attendees want photos anyway, and a booth is less awkward than asking a stranger to take one. If you make sharing frictionless—QR codes for instant downloads, branded frames, event hashtags—then you've got great user-generated content for your event brand as well.

Here's an example of an attendee at one of the Zoholics events sharing their experience at our photo booth on their LinkedIn.

💻How to take it online: Virtual photo booths let remote attendees upload their photos and apply the same branded filters, frames, or backgrounds used at the in-person event. Some platforms even create digital photo strips that mimic the physical booth experience.

Live artists work throughout your event, creating a piece that attendees can watch develop in real time. This might be caricatures, paintings, graphic recordings of keynote sessions, or custom murals. It turns art-making into a spectator experience and gives people something tangible to take away or display afterwards.

Live illustrator Jenny Leonard, for example, provides graphic recording for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events and has worked with companies such as Google, TikTok, BP, the NHS, and Oracle. You can also hire someone for your event from websites like IllustrationX.

💻How to take it online: Digital artists can stream their work in real time to remote attendees using tools like Procreate. Virtual participants can watch the process and even suggest elements to include.

Caricature artists draw quick, exaggerated portraits in about 5-10 minutes. People leave with a personalized keepsake that usually becomes a conversation starter. Artists can work solo or set up multiple stations.

We recommend reviewing the artist's corporate portfolio before booking. Some lean too hard into exaggeration, which works at street fairs but makes professional adults uncomfortable.

Networking at corporate events often defaults to awkward—people clustering in small groups, making forgettable small talk, waiting for an excuse to leave. The point of structured networking is to give people a real reason to engage beyond "So, what do you do?"

Good activities create natural conversation hooks, connect people with shared interests, or make the whole thing feel less like work. Most of these work just as well virtually since they rely on facilitation and tech rather than being in the same room.

AI networking tools like Zoho Backstage take the guesswork out of whom to contact. They match attendees based on shared interests, industries, or professional goals, using information from registration forms and event profiles. Attendees can then open up meeting slots and book one-on-one conversations as needed, making networking feel more intentional and far less awkward.

The tradeoff is data quality. If attendees rush through their profiles—or skip them entirely—the recommendations quickly fall apart. Our suggestion: use simple dropdowns for interests instead of open-ended text fields to streamline profile setup. The less effort it takes to complete a profile, the better the matches will be.

Speed networking provides a clear structure for conversations. Attendees rotate through short, timed chats—usually three to five minutes—before moving on to the next person. A facilitator typically provides prompts to help participants move beyond surface-level introductions.

The big win here is the timer. No one has to figure out how to politely end a conversation, and everyone meets more than just one or two familiar faces.

💻How to take it online: Use a virtual speed networking platform like Meetaway to replicate this experience for online and hybrid events.

Gamified networking turns introductions into a low-pressure challenge. Attendees may earn points for meeting people from different companies, finding a first-time attendee, or connecting with someone who has spoken at a conference. The appeal is simple: people have a clear objective and an easy excuse to approach someone new.

Many corporate event planning software—including Zoho Backstage—come with built-in gamification features, such as point systems and leaderboards, that make execution easier.

Games don't require special skills, and give people permission to be competitive or silly in a way most corporate settings don't allow. They fit best during downtime—after dinner, between sessions, or as standalone entertainment at receptions. The key is to match the game to your audience's energy level and make participation genuinely optional.

Trivia splits attendees into teams competing to answer questions across different categories. You can customize it—include questions about your company, industry trends, or pop culture, depending on your audience. It works because it levels the playing field; the CEO might bomb on '90s music while the intern sweeps that round.

💻How to take it online: Platforms like Kahoot or Quizizz work perfectly for virtual trivia. Remote attendees answer on their devices and see live leaderboards just like in-person participants.

Giant games—oversized Jenga, Connect Four, cornhole, chess—work as ambient entertainment during receptions or outdoor events. They're visual, don't require instructions, and people can jump in and out as they please. They also photograph well, which matters if you want social media content from your event.

💻How to take it online: Giant games don't translate to virtual formats, but you can replace them with digital equivalents like online Pictionary, virtual board games through platforms like Board Game Arena, or app-based party games like Jackbox that remote attendees can play together.

Arcade games are an easy crowd-pleaser. Classic cabinets like Pac-Man or Street Fighter, along with newer racing or shooting simulators, tap into nostalgia while giving people something fun (and slightly competitive) to do. Plus, games only take a few minutes, there's no setup required, and no one has to commit to a team.

💡Pro tip: Include a mix of single-player and two-player games. That way, people can jump in solo or challenge someone nearby without waiting around for a partner.

Food and drink can create moments and can say something about who you are as a company. When Reddit celebrated its IPO, it ran orange-themed catering with specialty juice bars serving orange drinks, tying everything back to its brand colors.

Food experiences work because eating together is naturally social. People relax, talk more openly, and the shared activity provides an opportunity to start conversations. The planning matters, though: you need to account for dietary restrictions, allocate space for prep and cleanup, and pace the process so people aren't rushing through.

Mixology classes guide attendees through making 2-3 cocktails, with a bartender demonstrating techniques such as muddling and shaking. Specialty bars skip the instruction and just serve creative drinks, often tied to your event theme. Either way, you're giving people something to do during cocktail hour beyond standing around holding a drink.

💻How to take it online: Ship cocktail kits with measured ingredients to remote attendees. A bartender runs the class over video, and everyone makes drinks from their own kitchen.

Cooking classes split attendees into teams preparing dishes under a chef's guidance. The collaboration is built in—someone chops, someone stirs, someone figures out plating—and that shared work breaks down social barriers fast. You can keep it simple with build-your-own tacos or go ambitious with multi-course meals, depending on skill level and time.

💻How to take it online: Virtual classes work if you ship ingredient kits ahead of time. Remote attendees cook from home while the chef demonstrates on video. It's not identical to in-person, but people can still participate and ask questions live.

Tastings guide people through sampling cheese, chocolate, wine, or other items while an expert explains what they're experiencing—flavor notes, production methods, why certain things pair well. But you need to plan around dietary restrictions and company policies on alcohol.

👀Some companies like The Wine Tasting Guys make it even more fun with programs like "Wine blending challenges" that let teams craft their own custom wine blends.

DIY stations—taco bars, poke bowls, pasta setups, s'mores—let people customize their meals. The format naturally accommodates dietary restrictions, allowing everyone to build what works for them, and the process itself becomes a conversation starter while people wait in line. Stations also create movement; people aren't anchored to assigned tables the entire event.

Some entertainment serves a specific function beyond engagement—it recognizes achievement, raises money for causes, or marks milestones. These activities work when you use your event to accomplish something concrete: celebrate success, build team morale, or support a charitable mission.

Employee recognition events can take the formal route, or you can lighten the mood with funny awards—"Most Likely to Have 15 Browser Tabs Open" or "Best Zoom Background." The humor makes recognition feel less stiff and gives people permission to laugh at themselves. It works when the awards are affectionate rather than mean-spirited, and when everyone gets recognized for something, not just top performers.

💻How to take it online: Stream the ceremony to remote attendees and use pre-recorded video packages to showcase winners' work.

Charity auctions allow attendees to bid on donated items or experiences, with proceeds benefiting a chosen cause. They work because they attach a tangible outcome to the event—people leave knowing they contributed to something beyond networking. There are two ways to go about this:

• Silent auctions: These run quietly in the background during receptions, cocktail hours, or networking sessions, allowing participants to browse and bid at their own pace.
• Live auctions: These are more theatrical and work best when you can dedicate time in the agenda. A skilled auctioneer maintains high energy and encourages competitive bidding.

💻How to take it online: Virtual auction platforms let remote attendees bid in real time. You can also live bid amounts on screen during the event so in-person and virtual participants see the same information.

"Lend a Hand" stations set up hands-on service activities at your event, such as assembling care kits, writing encouragement cards for hospital patients, packing items for shelters, or creating no-sew blankets. Attendees stop by during breaks or networking time, complete a quick task, and move on. It requires no sign-up, no special skills, and delivers visible impact.

💡Pro tip: Staff the station with someone who can explain the cause and impact. Clear signage helps, but a person answering questions and encouraging participation makes the difference between a busy station and one people walk past.

Outdoor activities are effective when you have access to space and favourable weather. They get people moving, break up the indoor monotony of most corporate events, and create a more relaxed atmosphere than conference rooms or ballrooms

But they are also risky: weather can ruin plans, and outdoor settings require contingency planning for everything from bathrooms to shade. Be prepared with a plan B to move items inside if plans change.

Sports tournaments—softball, volleyball, soccer, pickleball—organize attendees into teams competing in brackets. They work when your group enjoys competition and physical activity, and when you've planned for varying skill levels so beginners don't feel out of place.

💡Pro tip: Include non-competitive roles—scorekeeping, team photography, sideline support—so people who don't want to play can still be involved without sitting out entirely.

Yoga sessions offer a low-impact option for outdoor events, especially early morning or as a break between higher-energy activities. An instructor leads the group through poses, breathing exercises, and stretching. It works for a range of fitness levels, as people can modify poses to suit their abilities.

💻How to take it online: Virtual yoga classes work well—remote attendees follow along from home while an instructor leads on video. You can even ship yoga mats with your logo in advance for a little more brand visibility.

Lawn games are a go-to for outdoor receptions and company picnics. Think cornhole, bocce, croquet, giant Jenga, or spikeball. They're easy to jump into, don't need instructions, and let people play for a few minutes and move on. They also double as great social content—games naturally draw small groups together and give people something to do besides stand around holding a drink.

💡Pro tip: Set up more stations than you think you'll need. Two cornhole boards for 100 people sounds fine on paper, but in reality it just creates lines—and once people see a wait, they tend to walk away.