Entertainment ideas for year-end and New Year parties: games everyone can enjoy together
Are you struggling to decide on entertainment to liven up your year-end or New Year’s party? Bingo and karaoke are classics, but having games that make everyone smile can really boost the energy of the event.
If the rules are simple, easy to prepare, and anyone can join right away, it keeps things light for everyone.
In this article, we’ve gathered a wealth of ideas—from acts that instantly lift the mood to a wide variety of games that work regardless of group size.
You’ll find everything from show-stopping performances to conversation-sparking mind games and energizing activities that get people moving—plenty of variety to keep everyone engaged!
- Simple! Easy one-shot gags. Surefire bits that liven up parties and performances [2026]
- [Easy] A Collection of Party Dances to Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties
- Get the office buzzing! A collection of recommended entertainment and performance ideas for year-end and New Year parties
- [Definitive Guide] Guaranteed Crowd-Pleasers! Party Acts and Gags Everyone Will Enjoy
- Roundup of easy party tricks. A collection of ideas that require no preparation.
- Simple yet exciting! Recommended games and activities for year-end parties
- Party games to liven up your New Year’s celebration: a fun collection that will keep everyone laughing non-stop
- Party acts that hype up the crowd: Recommended entertainment and performances for banquets and drinking parties [2026]
- [Hilarious] Rhythm Gags That Kill at Parties and Performances
- [Hilarious] One-Liner Gags That Kill at Parties and Events
- Year-end/New Year party crowd-pleasing performance dance [2026]
- Simple mini-games that liven up a party
- [Definitive Guide] Performance Ideas for Farewell Party for Third-Years | From Touching to Laugh-Out-Loud Skits
Entertainment ideas for year-end and New Year parties: Fun group games (61–70)
Quiz: Let’s Aim for the Sweet Spot!
The buzzworthy board game “Good to go! Quiz SHOW!” features quiz questions that are all answered with numbers—and nobody actually knows the correct answers.
The rules are simple: players take turns tackling a question and write down the number they think is correct on a board or card.
The person closest to the correct answer earns points, and after multiple rounds, the total scores determine the winner.
Since all the questions are ones you don’t really know the answers to, the thrill of making a guess and the excitement it creates are the highlights.
Playing with family or friends sparks conversation and laughter, making for a great time.
It’s a quiz game anyone can jump into with ease.
Body impression (imitating using one’s whole body)
Comedy trio, Robert.Akiyama[Name]’s “full-body impersonation.” It’s not very difficult, and you can enjoy it with various adaptations tailored to the performer’s body type.
Joiman
They’re a comedy duo made up of Takagi, the boke, and Ikeya, the tsukkomi.
Their charm, above all, lies in their hilarious rap bits delivered with a unique rhythm.
If you copy them perfectly, you’re guaranteed huge laughs! Routines like “Arigatou Origotou” and “Clinton 20 Tons” are already classics in the comedy world.
Personally, my favorite is “Shuu-nana Kinomi Nana” (literally, ‘Nana Kinomi seven days a week’).
Mimic their basic stance: spread both arms like an airplane, bend your knees slightly, and sway side to side.
And don’t forget the partner’s crucial line, “What’s with this guyyy?”—so be sure to find a good partner!
Akira 100%’s nude act
Akira 100%, a comedian who performs with just a single tray, became a huge talking point for his overly daring style.
If you actually try it yourself, there’s no way it won’t get the crowd going.
Just like he does, flip the tray over, let go with your hands—put on an act that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
However, make sure you’re well prepared in case something goes wrong!
Cornflakes manzai
Milkboy is a comedy duo that has appeared on many variety shows and in commercials since winning the 2019 M-1 Grand Prix.
When you think of their material, it’s their cornflakes routine—also performed at M-1—that comes to mind! A hallmark of their bits is that, by following their signature structure, they can turn virtually any theme into a manzai routine.
It’s easy to create original material that incorporates inside jokes from your workplace or club.
Since they’re a duo with broad name recognition across all ages, you can perform their style of routine with confidence in any setting.
I’ll carry the ping-pong ball with chopsticks.
Prepare about 20 ping-pong balls and two bowls.
At the start signal, use chopsticks to pick up balls from your bowl and drop them into your opponent’s bowl.
Whoever transfers all their balls first wins.
It seems like it would be just the right level of difficulty to liven up a drinking party.
Adding a penalty for the loser could make it even more fun.
Fruits Basket
Many of you probably have fond memories of playing this in elementary school.
Everyone forms a large circle and is divided into groups by fruit names.
When your assigned fruit is called, you stand up, run, and scramble for a chair—that’s the rule.
If you’re playing with adults, it might be better to use something other than fruits; feel free to adapt that part.
Let’s enjoy year-end and New Year parties to the fullest with some psychological warfare among grown-ups! A prize for the winner would make it even more exciting!
