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)
quick costume change
A mysterious quick-change performance where your outfit transforms completely in just a few seconds.
The key is to create magical moments with movements that match the rhythm and clever use of pauses.
Even those staring intently will feel compelled to applaud, instantly livening up the group date! By layering different outfits under your stage costume and incorporating cues so you can change with a pop at just the right moment, everyone’s eyes will sparkle and smiles will spread.
Show a little bit of magic and make your group date an even more fun time!
Slipper relay
The slipper relay is a simple yet exciting game where you pass a slipper to the next person using only your toes—no hands allowed.
It’s easy to join, but there’s surprising depth: deciding exactly when to pass the slipper and at what angle to receive it with your foot takes real thought.
That delicate tension instantly energizes the whole venue.
Another plus is how easy it is to prepare—you only need a single slipper.
It’s perfect for large groups, and you can freely adjust the difficulty by tweaking the rules.
Definitely consider adding it as one of your program’s activities!
Pen Vanish Magic
This is a disappearing pen magic trick.
When it comes to party entertainment or performances, magic is a must.
And this is one you’ll want to perform smoothly to amaze everyone.
Prepare two identical pens, hide one under the table, and skillfully use both to make it look like the pen has vanished.
Of course, the technique matters, but magic also relies heavily on performance—keeping a cool face and not giving anything away is a key part of the entertainment—so you’ll definitely need some prep and practice time.
The more you practice, the more you can be sure the trick won’t be exposed and the party will liven up.
Start preparing early so you can perform it anytime during the party!
Thunder
How about trying out a routine inspired by the popular comedy duo Kaminari? Their dialect-inflected punchlines make a strong impact.
If both performers are from the countryside, you might capture a similar nuance and pull it off well.
If you subtly weave in some workplace “relatable” material, people around you will likely relate and get excited.
imitation
Everyone, are you good at doing impressions? There are people who have go-to routines that are funny no matter how many times you see them, right? But not everyone is like that.
Let’s practice so you can have a few sure-fire, signature bits ready for when you’re suddenly put on the spot at a drinking party or a casual get-together! To start, I recommend something simple and well-known, like popular anime characters!
Cheerleading
Have you heard of the “Cheerimans,” formed from Team B of Waseda University’s cheerleading squad? As the name suggests, it’s a team of suit-wearing salarymen performing cheer routines.
In fact, they’re so skilled they’ve even appeared on overseas audition shows.
How about practicing by imitating their performances and showcasing it at a welcome party? Even if big stunts are tough, sharp dance moves and synchronized routines can surprise and move the audience.
You might even inspire people to say, “I want to join next year’s welcome party too!”
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.
