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)
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!
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.
Rubik’s Cube
It’s a very simple 3D puzzle where you match the colors on all six faces, but it’s surprisingly difficult.
Since its release in 1997, it has become popular around the world as a toy enjoyed by both children and adults.
Why not use this 3D puzzle to show off a quick party trick? If you can smoothly solve a puzzle that stumps everyone else in an instant, you’re sure to earn a round of applause! There’s a specific method to solving it, so be sure to learn it and practice.
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.
flip board comedy
Are you familiar with “flip comedy”? Also known as “mekuri-gei,” it’s a type of performance aimed at getting laughs, where the performer sets out boards or cards with pictures or words and flips through them while doing the act.
Think of it like a picture-story show—kamishibai—and it’s easy to picture! This kind of act can be performed even without a partner, and having the flip cards makes it easier to get the jokes across.
It’s also great for parties with large groups, so if you’re looking to do a comedy bit, feel free to use this as a reference.
Simple material is recommended!
recorder
How about trying a party trick using the recorder that most people learned in elementary school? In school, you usually play children’s songs, which have fewer notes and seem like anyone could play them with a bit of practice.
So if you pull out a recorder at a party, many people will probably assume you’re going to play that kind of tune.
Why not turn that expectation on its head and perform a popular song that’s rarely played on the recorder? At the party, people will first be puzzled—what song is this?—and the moment they recognize it, the room will erupt with excitement.
Buzzworthy party acts: Recommended entertainment and performances for banquets and drinking parties [2026] (21–30)
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!