Party acts that hype up the crowd: Recommended entertainment and performances for banquets and drinking parties [2026]
Farewell and welcome parties at work, year-end and New Year gatherings, after-parties with friends, and class reunions.
There are quite a lot of banquets and drinking parties, aren’t there?
They’re basically fun, but there’s one time that troubles new hires, young employees, and juniors… yes, the “entertainment segment”!
People often say, “Do something!” or “Can’t you do something funny?” and you end up covering it with an awkward smile, right?
In this article, we’ll introduce lots of recommended ideas for when you can’t dodge party entertainment, including skits and performances everyone can do together.
Be sure to use it as a reference when you’re in a pinch!
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Party tricks that liven things up. Recommended entertainment and performances for parties and drinking gatherings [2026] (71–80)
tambourine performance
This is a routine by Gonzo, who gained attention for his tambourine performance act.
Set to 1980s J-pop like Rebecca’s signature song “Friends” and Anri’s “CAT’S EYE,” he keeps a poker face while striking the tambourine intensely.
He wraps up by taking off his glasses and doing a face smash.
It’s a party act that can be enjoyed solo or with a group.
Improvised nickname giving
The act that made model Karen Takizawa famous for spontaneously giving people nicknames.
Hiroiki Ariyoshi is also known for doing it, and if you master it and can deliver something stylish and witty, it could really liven things up.
It could easily go wrong if you misstep, but since it relies solely on verbal skill, some people might have a natural talent for it.
Still, I’d love to hone my own sensibility and give it a try.
Rubber band magic
It’s a magic trick where two rubber bands are intertwined and seem to be tightly knotted, but in an instant they come apart.
This video reveals the secret behind the trick.
Once you understand the principle, anyone can do it easily and I think it’s a great way to grab attention.
air guitar
When you’re stuck for a performance idea, I highly recommend air guitar! Air guitar is such a form of entertainment that there’s even a world championship.
And if you’re going to do air guitar, I think making the performance as flashy as possible will really liven things up.
So pick some heavy metal or rock, play along while headbanging, and get the party going.
The best thing about air guitar is that you can improvise.
If you suddenly get asked to do a quick show and find yourself in a bind, break the ice with some air guitar!
parody song
This time, we’re introducing a classic party trick: parody songs.
Rather than singing ability, the key is the creativity of how you change the lyrics, so it’s recommended even for those who aren’t confident singers.
Of course, if you write lyrics that poke fun at someone, be careful not to kill the mood of the room.
Thriller
This is a dance performance of Michael Jackson’s classic hit “Thriller.” Since it’s such a well-known song, it’s sure to get the crowd going if you perform it as entertainment! If you’re thinking of something a bit elaborate, why not give it a try? In the music video, Michael Jackson dances with zombies, so it’s a great idea to invite a few people and split into a Michael Jackson role and zombie roles to dance together.
If the zombies’ quality is high, that alone will liven up the atmosphere, so put some thought into the costumes and makeup, too!
banquet gagOrutana Channel
How about trying a quick one-liner gag you can pull off in typical party situations? Not as a formal performance, but something anyone can attempt whenever they get a chance to speak in front of everyone.
Prepare a simple gag you can spring when placing an order, or when it’s time to wrap things up—any moment where you’d naturally raise your voice or address the group.
If you throw in a surprise one-liner, it’s sure to liven things up.
It might even be a good way to break the ice at the beginning of the party when the mood feels stiff.
