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] (11–20)
Cosplay Challenge
Speaking of cosplay, it’s a classic go-to for party entertainment.
But just using what you’ve prepared can be boring! That’s where the Cosplay Challenge comes in.
Prepare a base costume and a few props, hide them from view, and have people pick them in order.
Once you’ve put on everything you chose, you’re ready.
Then draw a pre-prepared line from a lot and perform a short skit using the line you pulled.
The thrill of not knowing what you’ll have to wear or say, plus the embarrassment of acting in front of everyone—this might be tough without a little alcohol in the mix!
glass harp
You fill a glass with water and run your finger along the rim to play a melody.
It’s simple to prepare, but it seems to require quite a bit of practice.
That said, the timbre produced by the water’s ripples is incredibly beautiful, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
If you can master it, it won’t just liven up a party—you’ll probably be able to use it as a go-to trick at any gathering in the future!
Performance of Otona Blue (parody lyrics, dance, impersonations, cosplay, etc.)
Otonablue by ATARASHII GAKKO! became a big hit in 2023 after going viral on social media.
Lots of people, including celebrities, copied the head-shaking dance from the chorus on SNS.
If you’re going for a perfect copy, wear a sailor uniform and prepare a wig, too.
Lip-syncing and putting your energy into the dance is also recommended.
If you have dance experience, adding your own flair could be great as well.
Get everyone at the party involved and turn it into a time where everyone can get hyped together!
10-second drawing
A 10-second collaborative drawing game where you work together to create a single picture and have others guess what it is! You can have everyone draw on the same sheet at the same time for 10 seconds, or take turns with each person adding parts for 10 seconds to complete the drawing.
To increase the difficulty, you could divide the 10 seconds by the number of team members so each person only has 1–2 seconds to add to the drawing.
If the other side can guess what the hastily drawn picture is, they win! Form several teams and play in a head-to-head format.
If there are skilled artists, try to spread them out across different teams.
balloon art
“Balloon art” is popular with kids, and it’s fun for adults to watch too.
Don’t you think it would really liven things up if you could whip one up quickly and smoothly? You sometimes see street performers doing it, and their skill is so slick it’s satisfying just to watch.
Let’s make various kinds of balloon art and give them as gifts to the people there.
Apatou Game
A party game that became popular in South Korea: the APT game.
While singing “APT.”, the collaboration song by BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars, everyone at the party stacks both hands together.
One person becomes the “parent” and calls out a floor number they like.
Starting from the person whose hand is at the very bottom, players pull a hand out in turn and place it on top while counting upward; the person who lands on the announced floor number is out.
By the way, “apateu” means an apartment or condominium in Japanese.
Since it requires no props and is easy to play, give it a try at your next get-together with close friends!
tissue paper
This is a party trick devised by the comedy duo King Kong.
If possible, wear a white undershirt beneath a button-up shirt before you try it.
It’s simple, but if you go over the top, it packs a punch.
After you do it yourself, get the people around you to try it too and keep the laughter rolling.
OL things everyone relates to
These are “office lady” skits by impressionist Rei Maruyama.
If you’re an OL, some of these bits will probably feel familiar.
They range from laugh-out-loud gags to slightly dark humor, but they’re packed with those “So true!” moments that make you want to blurt it out.
If you throw yourself into the performance without being shy—like Rei Maruyama—you’re guaranteed to get the crowd going! In a workplace with lots of women, it might resonate even more.
Give it a try!
No-Hand Sunglasses
This party trick, “No-Hands Sunglasses,” is all about taking off the sunglasses you’re wearing without using your hands.
It’s a very surreal kind of party act, but it ties into facial comedy, so it’s really funny to watch! Shaking your head is off-limits—use your facial muscles to move the sunglasses.
It’s impressive if you can make them fall off, but the fun is in the process, so it’s totally fine if they don’t come off in the end! Set a time limit and have several people try it.
It might be a hit if someone who’s usually cool and never makes funny faces gives it a shot.
Freestyle rap (improvised rap)
With some freestyle rap, let’s turn the party up and heat up the room! If you’ve rapped before, just go with the vibe and weave together whatever words come to mind.
If it’s your first time, it’s best to practice beforehand.
Even if you decide what to rap about on the day, practice at least how to connect words and how to rhyme.
You can find rhyming words from things around you, make raps about what’s on TV, or mimic actual rap tracks—there are lots of ways to practice.
Try doing a battle-style session with a few people and get everyone hyped!