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 (81–90)
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!
Slipper relay
Slipper Relay is a game that a large group can enjoy with just a single slipper.
The rules are very simple: pass along the slipper you’re wearing to the person next to you without using your hands.
Simple as it sounds, there’s surprising depth! The angle and timing of the handoff matter, and syncing your movements with your partner is key.
Unexpectedly, it can get pretty tense.
Since it’s a relay, you need several people, but what you actually do isn’t difficult at all, so it’s easy for anyone to join in.
Straw glasses speed-drinking contest
Straw glasses sold at Village Vanguard and Don Quijote.
Use these to compete and see who can finish their drink the fastest.
Straw glasses are hard enough to sip from as it is, but if you make the drink carbonated, it turns into total chaos (lol).
It’s easy to set up, and if you’re at a banquet hall there are plenty of drink options.
Make it a team competition and earn the trust of your bosses and subordinates! I once tried using aojiru (green vegetable juice).
The faster you drink, the worse it tastes and the harder it gets.
You have to drink quickly, but you don’t want to.
If you don’t drink, your boss gets mad… it was rough.
Which drink you use depends on how the event is going.
Make sure you prepare well.
The “Haa” game
A classic board game where you express a given prompt using your voice and facial expressions.
It tests your concentration as you try to read the other players’ thoughts, which also helps build trust through play.
Another highlight is getting to see everyone’s acting skills as they choose a situation and perform the given line.
Rather than just competing for points by aiming for the correct answer, it’s also great as a conversation starter—like discussing which style of acting makes your message easier to understand.
Dueling and Complimenting Etude
Putting on a play on stage is a classic choice for entertainment.
Instead of following a set script, doing an improvised performance where you decide the flow on the spot might lead to an unexpected level of excitement—even for the performers.
Since doing everything off the cuff can be challenging, it’s best to set a theme and a time limit to guide the process.
Alternating between arguments and compliments creates a striking contrast in the story and a curious kind of fun.
Try keeping the same high-energy vibe you use when calling out someone’s flaws, but, in an angry tone, give them your most enthusiastic compliments.
It could be even more entertaining if you add a rule where anyone who laughs gets a penalty.
Tasting ◯◯
You often see TV shows where people do blind taste tests to tell apart an expensive wine from a 1,000-yen wine—let’s put a twist on that! Since this is for a New Year’s or year-end party, it could be fun to try something a bit unusual like a potato chips tasting or a vanilla ice cream tasting, or even something a bit extreme like a wasabi tasting!
Shuzo Matsuoka impression
Let’s parody the “fiery words” of Japan’s hottest man, Shuzo Matsuoka.
Choose a tear-jerking BGM, and it’ll be funny even with original content.
The key point is to carry it through seriously and earnestly, even if everyone around you is laughing.
pantomime
Pantomime is enjoyable regardless of age.
It’s visually amusing, and it makes you want to try it yourself, doesn’t it? Even though there’s nothing there, a wall appears in front of you, a door won’t open, you ride an escalator, a bag suddenly won’t move in midair… the types are endless! If you search on YouTube, you’ll find all kinds of performances, so use them for reference.
Performing with a group makes it even more impactful.
Practice well and get the audience roaring!