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!
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Entertainment ideas for year-end and New Year parties: Group-pleasing game ideas (71–80)
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.
Entertainment ideas for year-end and New Year parties: Group-pleasing game ideas (81–90)
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!
Yakyuken (a strip version of rock-paper-scissors associated with baseball)
A thrilling, heart-pounding game where you play rock-paper-scissors, and the loser takes off their clothesYakyuken (a strip version of rock-paper-scissors associated with baseball)If you don’t set some rules at the beginning, things can get out of hand.
Whack, Cover, Rock-Paper-Scissors!
The winner hits the opponent with a hammer, and the loser defends with a helmet. If you accidentally hit the wrong person or fail to block the attack, you lose.Whack-It, Wear-It, Rock-Paper-Scissors!