Here is our list of the best holiday party venues & ideas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Holiday party venues and ideas in Philadelphia are places to take your team to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve. For example, you can schedule a session at an ice-skating rink for cold weather fun or take the group to a café to warm up with samples of gourmet hot chocolate. These activities aim to make the most of the festive holiday spirit and show your workers some year-end cheer.
This list includes:
- small party venues in Philadelphia
- company holiday party venues in Philadelphia
- holiday party ideas in Philadelphia for adults
- holiday party entertainment ideas in Philadelphia
Let’s get to it!
List of holiday party venues in Philadelphia
From planning a cocktail reception at an art museum to festivities at the zoo, here are the best holiday party venues in Philadelphia.
1. Aqimero
You can give your holiday party modern flair with a celebration at Aqimero. This venue offers a private dining room that seats up to 85 guests. You can also book the lounge area for an intimate setting with a less formal vibe. The site is ideal for sit-down dinners, tastings, and cocktail reception-style events. In addition, Aqimero provides a selection of catered dinners and bar packages that can make your party a gourmet experience.
Learn more about Aqimero.
2. Barra Rossa
The Barra Rossa boasts Italian flavor with a distinctly Philly spirit for holiday parties that call for a more casual feel. The menu features the best rustic Italian dining, with a savory array of woodfired pizza options taking center stage. Options include vegan dishes to tantalize the plant-based eaters on the team. Your crew can also take advantage of fun public events such as Sinatra Nights, with live music and Sunday brunches incorporating drag, rap, and heavy metal themes. You can learn more about booking a private event by completing the form on the Barra Rossa website.
Learn more about Barra Rossa.
3. McGillin’s Olde Ale House
You can add a touch of Dickens to your Christmas affair by hosting at McGillin’s Olde Ale House. This historic site initially opened in 1860, making McGillin’s Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating bar. Warm interiors lend an old Irish feel for a cozy winter celebration. You can find tasty bar bites on the menu and 30 beers on tap. If you plan to rent out the pub for a private party of 50 or more guests, then you can choose from a selection of party packages with various bar bites and buffet offerings.
Learn more about McGillin’s Olde Ale House.
4. Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo is a world-class animal habitat that makes a unique venue for your holiday party. You can find several private event options, ranging from a simple happy hour for up to 200 guests to full seated dining that takes place among some of the exotic animal exhibits. Meanwhile, during winter, the zoo hosts LumiNature, a stunning nighttime holiday light extravaganza. You can take advantage of this multimedia display as part of your celebration and treat the team to a dazzling show that spans the grounds.
Learn more about Philadelphia Zoo.
5. Platform Thirty
Originally a train station, Platform Thirty has evolved into a modern party and event center that caters to holiday celebrations and corporate events. Depending on the size of your guest list, this elegant, 7,000-square-foot facility will accommodate up to 500 guests for a winter cocktail-style reception or dinner and dancing for up to 200 revelers. The professional event team at the site can guide you through setting up your event. The team can also help you to add posh touches by arranging entertainment and coordinating transportation services for your guests.
Learn more about Platform Thirty.
6. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Museum of Art is a striking locale to consider for your holiday party entertainment ideas in Philadelphia. This deluxe venue offers magical architecture filled with thousands of works from some of the most renowned artists in the world. You can choose from several wings of the facility, including the Rodin Museum, which includes one of the largest collections of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris. Pricing and accommodations vary by location, and the food provided by Constellation Culinary Group will make planning your event an easier task.
Learn more about the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
7. Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute tops the list of excellent company holiday party venues in Philadelphia. As a top-notch science museum, the institute holds quarterly get-togethers called Science After Hours, where science and adult socializing form an unbreakable bond! With themes such as Flannel and Frost, these 21-and-up events are ready-made parties that take the hassle of party planning off your plate. For a more intimate gathering, you can rent the museum and take advantage of on-site caterers and planners to help assemble a memorable celebration for your team.
Learn more about Franklin Institute.
8. City Winery
If you have never considered a winery as a potential setting for your holiday party, then City Winery is ready to show you the possibilities. You can choose from several inviting spaces within the venue to host your celebration. Small groups will fit nicely in the Private Barrel Room, an intimate dining room setting. In contrast, larger groups can take advantage of a bar and restaurant, a reception loft, and even a stage area for concerts and presentations. For an added touch, you can create custom labels for bottles of the winery’s best offerings and present them as gifts to your guests.
Learn more about City Winery.
9. Spin
You can turn up the energy and festive spirit by booking Spin for your holiday party. A modern equivalent of a pool hall, Spin is a cozy yet contemporary bar and restaurant that features ping-pong tables throughout the space. Your team can spread out and enjoy friendly competition in this 12,000-square-foot space. With a combination of smaller rooms and lounge-like booths, you can book everything from simple table reservations for between two and ten guests to a full venue rental accommodating up to 900 partygoers. In addition, spin Café provides bar bites and beverages for relaxed festivities in a warm setting.
Learn more about Spin.
10. Howl at the Moon
A slightly wilder time awaits your Christmas crowd when you add Howl at the Moon to your list of holiday party venues. Visitors enjoy drinks and dishes while listening to live music acts that cover dance music and party anthems. This locale is all about celebrating, and their team can tailor the music to suit the theme of your festivities. If you are looking for small party venues in Philadelphia, then reserved seating is a fantastic choice for groups of between ten and 20 guests. Groups of between 21 and 99 visitors can make special accommodations in semi-private areas, while larger groups of 100 or more revelers can book the entire space for an exclusive event. No matter the size of your holiday celebration, singing along with live music is highly encouraged.
Learn more about Howl at the Moon.
List of holiday party ideas in Philadelphia
Whether your team visits a Christmas village or dresses up as their favorite holiday character for an office celebration, your options for holiday party ideas in Philadelphia are plentiful!
11. Philly Christmas Village
You can take your holiday party on the road by loading up the crew for a visit to Philly Christmas Village. This quaint German marketplace offers a glimpse into an authentic European tradition. Visitors will find retailers selling handmade items that make ideal gifts and food and beverages from local vendors. In addition, carnival rides and cultural activities are on hand to help bring the season to life!
Learn more about Philly Christmas Village.
12. Sample Gourmet Hot Chocolate
Few things burn off the winter chill like a few rounds of rich hot chocolate. With so many great places in Philadelphia to try, you can plan your party with hot chocolate sampling as the centerpiece! You can choose a local restaurant like Chocolate Works at Shane’s Confectionery, a shop that knows how to satisfy a cocoa-loving crowd. You can also challenge your team to concoct their best homemade hot chocolate recipes for an onsite celebration at your workplace. To avoid dietary conflicts so the whole team can join in on the fun, you can find options that limit sugar and use alternative plant-based milks.
For a fun grown-up twist, add a dash of peppermint Schnapps, rum, or other alcoholic treats to ramp up the true spirits of the holidays!
Learn more about Chocolate Works at Shane’s Confectionery.
13. Philly Pops
Your team can get into the season’s spirit with a concert to start your celebration. Philly Pops, Philadelphia’s famous city orchestra, brings a magical performance featuring choirs, guest vocalists, and one of the most accomplished symphony orchestras. The selection of choral pieces and popular tunes provides a thrilling musical experience that sets the tone for the most magical time of year. To extend the celebration, you can plan a lunch before or after the show and let your excited partygoers share their favorite musical memories of the holidays.
Learn more about Philly Pops.
14. Holiday Character Costume Party
Ugly sweater contests are a given when the holidays come around. To shake things up, you can plan a costume party for your team instead. You can see just how much imagination your team has by encouraging them to choose their favorite character from holiday films and stories for their costumes. For example, fans of “A Christmas Story” can wear their best winter gear and thick-rimmed glasses to become Ralphie, while anyone who loves “Home Alone” can dress up like one of the thieves. Coordinated costumes such as the Island of Misfit Toys from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” make fun options for smaller groups within your team.
15. Sledding Trip
A traditional sledding adventure makes an exciting holiday party idea no matter the age of your guests! Scheduling this celebration may be tricky since it depends entirely on the weather. You can make plans to head to the best sledding area in Philadelphia near you as soon as the ground has enough snow. Locations like Lemon Hill in historic Fairmount Park offer prime sledding opportunities. Of course, snowball fights and snowman building are also encouraged! A trip to a local diner for a warm dinner or dessert afterward will make a satisfying end to your playful festivities.
Learn more about Lemon Hill.
16. Ice Skating
Your crew can get on the ice and show off their skills with an ice-skating holiday party at a local rink. Tickets to Winterfest on the Delaware River Waterfront provide 90 minutes of ice-skating excitement in an Olympic-sized rink. Rizzo Rink, located in South Philadelphia, also offers free public ice skating during the season, with skate rentals priced at a reasonable $5.00. For a private skating event, you can book a private party room and even a skating lesson for anyone in need.
With a hearty dinner at a nearby diner after your chilly skating session, your wintertime celebration will provide new memories for your guests.
Learn more about Winterfest and Rizzo Rink.
17. Holiday Photo Session
Teams are much like families, making a fun holiday photo session a fantastic holiday party idea! You can plan an onsite party with refreshments and photo ops like goofy grown-up pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Locations like Franklin Park put on their best lights and decorations for memorable photo ops with true Philly spirit. Your guests can pose for playful social media-worthy pictures and post them with a unique hashtag dedicated to your celebration. With so many smartphone cameras snapping, you can round up a whole gallery in no time!
If your company exchanges holiday cards among departments, then try planning a coordinated holiday photograph of the whole team to print and send for an authentic seasonal memento. Whether you opt for a sincere photo or something silly to capture the season’s spirit, your snapshot will be a permanent reminder of your crew’s dedication to their celebration>.
Learn more about Franklin Park.
18. Handmade Ornament Party
Making seasonal decorations are a time-honored part of the holidays and a source of warm memories for many people. If your workspace has a tree needing decorations, then you can plan a party centered around creating handmade ornaments. Michaels offers online courses that make it easy for your team to recapture the magic of their childhood crafting days!
Here’s how you do it:
- Encourage your team members to plan their ornaments ahead to ensure they have everything they need, including templates or drawn designs.
- Provide supplies such as cardstock, glitter, glue, and craft paints.
- Set up stations around the workspace that let team members spread out to create their works of holiday art.
- Designate a start time and let your merry elves get to work!
When the glue and paint have dried, have each team member add their ornament to the tree with a quick explanation of what they have made. Your space will end up with a personalized tree that reflects the true spirit of your team.
19. Gingerbread Wars
With Gingerbread Wars, your crew can get in on some festive, friendly competition. These fully-hosted events intend to bring out the creative side in attendees as they construct their best take on the classic cookie cottage. A team of helpful elves will warm the room up with fun party-style activities like holiday trivia. Bookings include gingerbread house kits to provide all you will need to craft a sugary village filled with cheer. Of course, all you and your workers need to bring are a bit of imagination and a hearty helping of seasonal spirit!
Learn more about Gingerbread Wars.
20. Paint and Sip Party
When exploring holiday party ideas in Philadelphia for adults, include paint and sip parties on the list. Studios like Painting with a Twist provide supplies and instruction for novice painters to create works of art. No painting experience is necessary for most of these events, and the atmosphere is more of a cocktail party than an art class. This company even offers online events via Zoom to make remote party planning more convenient.
Painting with a Twist encourages guests to bring food and beverages for their in-studio events. You can budget for refreshments in your party planning or enlist your team members to bring their favorite snacks and drinks along for a seasonal smorgasbord. After the party, guests take home their finished canvases to add to their home galleries or gift to friends or family.
Learn more about Painting with a Twist.
Conclusion
Whether you rent a special space to throw a gala-style celebration or choose a more intimate setting, your holiday party choices in Philadelphia are extensive. Outdoor activities that capture the spirit of childhood fun can be as festive as catered events in lush settings with glittering décor. The spirit of fun and togetherness will make your choice of holiday party in Philadelphia special no matter what you choose!
Grace He