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: Fun group games (121–130)
tablecloth trick
It’s a classic act for hidden-talent performances.
It seems best to practice at first with something like plastic cups.
It’s a surefire crowd-pleaser that will liven things up in a short time.
Once you get better, stacking the cups while you do it should make it even more exciting.
Doing it as a quick one-off gag after other performances also seems like it would hype up the crowd.
Pose Matching Game
Pose Matching Game is, as the name suggests, a game where you match poses.
Players form pairs, count down, and if both strike the same pose that matches the prompt, they earn a point.
The team with the most points wins.
If the poses differ, it creates laughter; if they match, you score points.
Matsuken Samba
This is a series of songs that Ken Matsudaira performed in stage kabuki-style song shows.
In particular, Matsuken Samba II drew major attention, including being performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
The uniquely flashy costumes—sparkling while drawing on kimono motifs—and the exuberant, festive atmosphere are especially appealing.
The glittering outfits reflect the lighting, and because they move around, they really convey a festival vibe, so it’s important to be meticulous about the costumes.
The choreography is simple, making it a piece where you want to create the mood through the overall movement.
Appears wearing the Kenji Darvish makeup
Let’s try recreating the makeup of Kenji Darvish, who is active as a member of Golden Bomber.
His makeup is so distinctive that it clearly conveys who you’re imitating, and it’s an easy way to show a different impression from your usual look.
Since turning makeup itself into a performance can be challenging, it’s recommended to incorporate it as part of a costume, including matching outfits.
Even if only one person wears this makeup, it can make a strong impact; and it would likely be even more exciting if a large group appeared with the same makeup and performed together.
Kōhaku Uta Gassen (NHK New Year’s Eve “Red and White Song Battle”)
Divide participants into the Red Team and the White Team.
You can split them by gender or by age—either is fine.
Once the teams are set, take turns having each team sing their best songs using the karaoke’s precision scoring feature.
Full-length performances can be long, so singing up to the chorus might be just right.
The team with the higher total score wins.
Karaoke is a banquet classic, so it’s sure to be a hit.
Release exercise
The song “Kaihou Exercise” released by the comedy YouTuber Amenbo Plus drew major attention for the music video’s languid aesthetic and choreography.
As the title suggests, “release after building up energy” is a central theme of the choreography, so be sure to faithfully recreate that moment.
The director standing in the center uses their whole body to make large, liberating movements, while the surrounding members go through the motions half‑heartedly without showing enthusiasm.
Despite the large group, only one person is motivated, creating a striking contrast that becomes a funny, eye‑catching highlight.
Gangnam Style
It needs no introduction anymore—having surpassed 2 billion views on YouTube, it became an international sensation.PSYMr./Ms. [name]’s “Gangnam StyleIt goes, “”. Your boss dancing comically is sure to boost popularity.
Rubber Band Relay
It’s a game that livens up group mixers and similar gatherings.
Prepare any kind of stick you can hold in your mouth—like a toothpick or chopsticks.
Also get a rubber band to use like a sash, and pass it along in a relay using the sticks.
If your team reaches the goal without dropping the rubber band, you win.
It’s fun with mixed groups of men and women, and even small children can enjoy playing it.
Personality test
Events at workplaces or schools with many women
I couldn’t find the link to the app “99% See-Through! Fully Revealing Psychology Test.”
Highly recommended!List of personality test ideasYear-End Rock-Paper-Scissors Lottery
Prepare one grand prize, and have everyone play rock-paper-scissors against the company president; the last person standing wins the prize.
It’s a great idea to add one more burst of excitement at the end of the year-end party! A simple activity that gets the crowd going, especially with a large group.