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 get everyone excited: Recommended performances and acts for banquets and drinking parties [2026] (41–50)
portrait (caricature)
Being good at drawing can score you points even at a group dating party, right? If you’re confident, go ahead and casually sketch a quick portrait to show off your skills.
Anyone can be your model, but drawing one of the participants in front of you is a great way to really showcase your ability.
Setting a time limit like “one minute” can make it even more fun.
However, since you want to leave a good impression, be careful with caricature-style exaggeration—it can be risky! Make sure your drawing doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings or spoil the mood.
Sing in a dialect
Singing in a dialect is a fun idea that warms everyone’s hearts and brings out smiles! Just adding a slightly different intonation or ending to your words instantly grabs the audience’s interest.
For example, try singing a song you know in the dialect of your hometown, or switch a popular song into a dialect—before you know it, people will be smiling and saying, “That dialect is so cute!” Dialects have a unique sound and warmth rooted in their regions, so simply singing in one can create a cozy atmosphere and make conversation flow more naturally—another reason it really livens things up.
It’s easy to try, so even if you feel a little shy, give it a go and have fun!
Blindfold Dance
Perform a dance while blindfolded! What makes this bit so funny is that even people who are good at dancing suddenly can’t dance or start moving awkwardly once they’re blindfolded.
You can use it to show off how cool your dancing is, or play it for laughs—either way, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Dancing solo is great, but we also recommend trying it with multiple participants to a song with a famous choreography.
Choose a track where everyone knows the real dance, and give it a go!
vocal imitation
From station-wide announcements and the bullet train’s departure chime to the clacking of the tracks and in-car announcements—sound mimicry that recreates everything using only your voice.
By realistically reproducing everyday sounds we often hear—not just those of Shinkansen and trains—you’re sure to grab attention at any venue! Plenty of videos by creators and comedians have been uploaded, so be sure to study them to learn how to achieve a high level of polish.
It’s also a great idea to add acting and present it in a sketch-comedy style.
“Let’s Go! Phantom Thief Girls” danceMomoiro Clover Z
The hit all-female group Momoiro Clover Z’s “Ikuze! Kaitō Shōjo” is a great song to mimic for a singing impression.
Since you can do it with multiple people, it cuts down on the embarrassment, and just wearing different colors makes it look the part.
Another plus is that the dance isn’t too complicated.
It’s even better if you assign roles to match the members’ personalities.
Sometimes deliberately mismatching can actually get laughs and make it more fun.
Definitely give it a try at least once!
LOVE MachineMorning Musume
Many people know Morning Musume’s “LOVE Machine.” Just swing your hands left and right to the beat or copy a few simple moves, and smiles will quickly spread.
The energetic dance makes people around you naturally want to sway along, instantly brightening the atmosphere.
If you call out to each other in time with the song, the sense of togetherness at the party will jump way up! It’s an easy, low-pressure dance, so even first-timers are fine.
People around you will get drawn in and start dancing too, and everyone will end up laughing together and having a blast!
wotagei
Wotagei is a performance known for being done by fans at idol concerts.
Recently, videos of wotagei set to popular songs have been released, and it’s even become a staple party trick.
So if your company is holding a party or a social gathering, why not put on a wotagei performance? Even first-timers can make it look impressive with a bit of practice—perfect for a quick show.
If older attendees who may not be familiar with wotagei will be there, try choosing a song that was a revival hit or otherwise well-known to their generation.
body percussion
As a quick performance idea, let me introduce body percussion, which creates rhythm using your body.
Basically, you express it by clapping your hands or stomping your heels.
Even beginners will find it easy to try with songs at a slower tempo, and performing with multiple people rather than solo can make even simple rhythms feel powerful.
It’s also recommended to add visual elements—such as dancing or changing formations—rather than relying on sound alone.
It does require practice, but it’s a great one-off act that strengthens the bond among performers.
toast speech
Let’s get everyone involved, lead a toast chant, and liven up the party! The hallmark of this style is that everyone repeats the leader’s words.
The content can be tailored to the occasion, but having people repeat the phrases helps unify everyone’s hearts and gets them in the mood to enjoy the event! The trick is to include lines that are just a little embarrassing to say out loud—that’s what makes it fun.
A toast chant is usually done at the beginning, but it can also be used mid-party as a quick performance to re-energize the room—highly recommended!
pretend idol
A classic crowd-pleaser for company parties and the like: impersonating an idol! Whether you’re a man or a woman, put on a cute frilly costume and sing and dance—you’re guaranteed to be a hit! Flash a beaming smile you don’t usually show, throw in the occasional wink, and strike those heart-melting idol poses, and the room will erupt in laughter and applause.
Singing while dancing is trickier than it looks, but what matters is performing with confidence, not perfection.
Channel your inner idol and turn the venue into a fever-pitch live concert!