13 Virtual Holiday Party Activities for Remote Teams in 2026

Finding a virtual holiday party activity that actually feels like a party is harder than it sounds. Most virtual team events end up feeling like another scheduled meeting with a festive background. This guide covers 13 virtual holiday party activities remote teams can run in 2026, ranging from artist-led paint and sip events shipped to every doorstep to no-supply games that take 20 minutes to set up. The list is built for HR managers, executive assistants, and team leads who need something that works across time zones and keeps everyone engaged, including the person who swears they are not a joiner. Painting to Gogh ranks first because it is the only activity on this list where every person on the team finishes something real, keeps professional-grade tools, and walks away from the event with a gallery-ready painting hanging on their wall.

Why Virtual Holiday Party Activities Matter for Distributed Teams

Remote teams carry a specific challenge into Q4. The holidays are the one time of year when connection matters most, and distributed workforces are also the most likely to feel the distance. A poorly planned virtual event does not just fall flat, it reinforces the gap it was supposed to close.

The Real Problem with Most Virtual Holiday Events

• Events default to video happy hours that feel identical to regular standups
• Activities without a physical component lose attention quickly on a screen
• Time zone spreads make synchronous events difficult to schedule inclusively
• Competitive formats create winners and leave quieter team members on the sideline
• Nothing tangible exists after the hour ends to mark that the event happened

The best virtual holiday party activities solve more than one of these problems at once. The gold standard is an activity that works across geographies, accommodates mixed skill levels, produces a physical takeaway, and gives the organizer a low-stress setup. Painting to Gogh was built specifically to check every one of those boxes for corporate teams.

What to Look for in a Virtual Holiday Party Activity for Remote Teams

Not all virtual activities translate cleanly to a holiday party context, especially for distributed teams. Before booking anything, consider whether the activity meets these criteria.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Virtual Holiday Party Activities

• Ships to every team member: If the activity requires physical supplies, it needs to reach homes across the US, Canada, and internationally.
• Works on the platform your team already uses: Nobody should need to download a new app on event day.
• Scales without losing intimacy: An activity that works for 10 people should work just as well for 150 without turning into a broadcast.
• No experience required: Holiday parties should include the entire team, not just the creatively confident ones.
• Produces a takeaway or memory: The best events leave people with something, whether a painting, a prize, or a story they tell later.
• Organizer-friendly logistics: The person planning the event should not become a full-time shipping coordinator.

This list evaluates each activity against these criteria and identifies which ones are best suited to a distributed team's real Q4 constraints.

How Remote Teams Run Their Best Holiday Events Using Virtual Activities

The organizers who consistently pull off standout virtual holiday parties tend to follow a few repeatable approaches. Here is how the format plays out across different team types.

Kits shipped to individual homes: The most engaging virtual events involve something physical in every participant's hands. Painting to Gogh ships complete painting kits to individual home addresses across the US, Canada, and internationally, so no one is watching someone else do an activity they cannot participate in.

Flexible scheduling for global teams: One organizer ran a 150-person event with Painting to Gogh with participants located across the United States. Another ran an event with participants in four countries painting at the same time. The recorded artist-led tutorial format made both possible without forcing every time zone onto one call.

Mix-and-match participation: The recorded tutorial format lets different team members choose different paintings, so the person who wants to paint a winter landscape and the person who wants a holiday abstract are both happy. With a live artist, everyone paints the same piece together.

Ending with a gallery share: The natural finish to a paint night is everyone holding up their canvas on camera. Add optional categories, like most likely to hang in a museum or most abstract interpretation, and the last five minutes become the most memorable part of the event.

Async-friendly follow-through: When a team member misses the live event, Painting to Gogh's two-year tutorial access means they still finish their painting. As one organizer put it: "Having the ability to access the video after the event sets Painting to Gogh above the rest."

Competitor Comparison: Virtual Holiday Party Paint and Sip Providers

For teams specifically looking for a virtual paint and sip corporate holiday party, several providers operate in this space. The table below compares the key decision factors side by side.

For distributed teams making a straight comparison, Painting to Gogh holds the clearest advantages on price floor, group size flexibility, international shipping, and the only literal paint-and-sip delivery in the category, where an actual bottle of wine (or a non-alcoholic wine alternative for those who prefer it) ships to each participant's door in 42 states. Painting Kits can ship anywhere.

1. Painting to Gogh: Virtual Paint and Sip Team Painting Event

Painting to Gogh runs artist-led painting events for corporate teams, virtual, hybrid, or in person, with a complete painting kit shipped to every participant. Every kit starts with a blank canvas. There are no pre-sketched outlines and no numbered sections. Each person follows a professional artist's tutorial step by step to create real, original artwork on a gallery-wrapped canvas. No experience needed.

This is the activity that consistently ends with team members saying things like: "Many of the participants couldn't believe they painted it." The teammate who insists they cannot paint finishes theirs too. It happens every time.

Key Features:

• Artist-led video tutorial included with every kit: Two years of access, so anyone who misses the live event still finishes their painting on their own schedule.
• Live virtual artist option: A professional artist hosts in real time on whatever platform the team already uses, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or Webex, for a flat $250 for the entire group.
• Custom palette per painting: Every kit ships with a palette mixed specifically for that painting, so no one gets stuck trying to mix colors mid-event. This is the concrete reason "no experience needed" is true and not just a slogan.
• Gallery-wrapped canvas: The painting continues around the edges, staples are hidden on the back, and it hangs on a wall as-is the moment it dries. No framing required.
• Reusable studio-quality brush set: Every participant keeps their brush set after the event.

Holiday Party Offerings:

• Choose from 150-plus paintings, including holiday-themed options, so the team paints something seasonally festive.
• Add real wine or non-alcoholic wine through Painting to Gogh's wine partner ($45 per bottle including shipping, available in 42 US states), for a genuine paint and sip corporate holiday party experience.
• Custom paintings are available with a four-week lead time, letting teams commission a painting of a company landmark, brand moment, or holiday theme specific to the group.
• Refill Kits at $24.99 per person let teams that loved the event run it again at a lower cost, since everyone already owns the brushes.

Pricing: Essentials Kit from $39.99 per person; Studio Kit (adds an aluminum easel) at $49.99 per person. Most events land between $40 and $60 per person depending on kit, instructor option, and whether kits ship to one address or to individual homes. Shipping is free to a single office address, $7.99 per kit to individual US homes in the contiguous US, and $35 per kit to Canada.

Pros:

• Ships to the US, Canada, and internationally, with documented events spanning four countries simultaneously
• No minimum headcount, and documented events up to 2,000 people
• The only provider in the category that ships an actual bottle of wine through a wine partner (plus a non-alcoholic wine alternative)
• Every participant takes home a finished gallery-wrapped painting and a reusable professional brush set
• Recorded tutorial with two-year access means async-friendly events and no one left out for missing the call
• Works on any video platform the team already uses
• More than 1,000 companies served and over 200,000 people guided
• Custom invoicing, nonprofit discounts, and flexible billing timelines

Cons:

• Wine ships to 42 US states only and does not ship to Delaware, Utah, Maine, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, or Arkansas. Painting Kits can ship anywhere.
• The activity is calming rather than competitive, which is the point, but teams seeking a high-adrenaline leaderboard format should look elsewhere

Painting to Gogh is the standard for virtual paint and sip team building because painting is the entire business, not a listing in a marketplace of fifty other options. Every kit, every artist, every palette, and every tutorial exists because Painting to Gogh builds and runs paint events. That focused ownership shows up in the details that matter most on event day. Your team will surprise themselves, and you will have planned the team event everyone keeps talking about.

Book a team painting event at paintingtogogh.com/pages/team-building.

2. Confetti: Virtual Painting and Creative Workshops

Confetti is a team-events platform offering a curated catalog of hundreds of ready-to-book experiences, including virtual painting classes, cookie decorating, and other creative workshops. Confetti's value proposition centers on concierge-style planning support and a broad catalog that covers painting, trivia, wellness, and DEI events in one place.

Key Features:

• Live-hosted painting classes available with kit shipping to US and Canada
• BYO (bring your own supplies) option for teams who prefer not to receive a shipped kit
• Dedicated event coordinators who help plan and run the experience
• Large catalog of non-painting options if the team wants to switch activities

Holiday Party Offerings:

• Seasonal and winter-themed painting classes available
• Cookie decorating and other holiday-adjacent craft classes in the catalog

Pricing: Virtual experiences start at approximately $20 to $85 per person depending on format and group size; quoted per event.

Pros:

• Wide variety of event types beyond painting, useful for teams that rotate activities
• Concierge planning support reduces organizer workload
• Holiday-specific themed painting options available
• Strong reputation among HR and People Ops teams

Cons:

• Painting is one option in a large marketplace rather than the core focus of the business
• Kit shipping limited to US and Canada, with exclusions for AK, HI, and PR
• No wine or beverage delivery option
• Pricing is quoted rather than publicly listed, making upfront budget comparison harder
• BYO option places supply sourcing responsibility on participants

3. VinoPaint: Live Virtual Instructor-Led Painting

VinoPaint positions itself as a creativity-focused virtual painting provider with live, instructor-led sessions only. Every VinoPaint session is private and customized for the group, running through Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Webex.

Key Features:

• Live virtual events only; no pre-recorded tutorial option
• Private sessions customized per group
• Works on major video conferencing platforms

Holiday Party Offerings:

• Seasonal and holiday-themed painting subject options available through the gallery

Pricing: Quoted per event; contact VinoPaint directly for corporate pricing.

Pros:

• Highly interactive live experience with real-time instructor engagement
• Fully private and customized per group
• Strong creative and artistic positioning

Cons:

• Live-only format means no flexibility for async participation or missed attendees
• No kit shipping offered; participants source their own supplies
• No beverage delivery option
• Geographic limitations for teams outside supported areas
• Organizers must coordinate around instructor availability rather than the team's own schedule

4. KraftyLab: Kit-Based Virtual Team Building with Broad Activity Catalog

KraftyLab is a corporate team building marketplace offering kit-based virtual events across arts and crafts, food and drink, games, and wellness categories, alongside a concierge enterprise portal for large organizations managing recurring events across multiple teams.

Key Features:

• Kit-based events with shipping options including international delivery (with surcharges)
• 50-plus activity catalog spanning painting, terrariums, game shows, trivia, and more
• Dedicated event specialist support
• Enterprise portal for companies managing multi-team programs

Holiday Party Offerings:

• Holiday-themed kit events available; seasonal game show experiences priced from $850 to $1,400
• International holiday events for global teams

Pricing: Kit-based events run $25 to $119 per person plus a $379 event fee; flat-fee game experiences cost $850 to $975 for up to 25 people. Three-week lead time required.

Pros:

• Strong option for large enterprise teams needing a managed, multi-event program
• Ships internationally, including with locally sourced kit options for certain countries
• Broad activity variety if the team wants options beyond painting
• Enterprise-grade reporting and budget visibility tools

Cons:

• Per-person cost plus event fee makes total pricing significantly higher than painting-only alternatives
• Painting is one item in a broad catalog rather than the core focus
• No wine or beverage delivery option
• Three-week lead time is longer than some alternatives
• Cost structure can be harder to predict without a direct quote

5. Virtual Holiday Trivia

Holiday trivia is a zero-supply, quick-setup option that runs well on any video platform. A host shares a screen with trivia questions across categories like holiday movies, winter traditions, and workplace inside jokes, and teams compete or play individually. Platforms like Kahoot or Mentimeter handle scoring automatically.

Best for: Teams that want a short, high-energy opener before a longer activity or teams on a very tight budget.

What it lacks: No physical takeaway, competitive format can create awkward outcomes for quieter team members, and the experience ends the moment the game does.

6. Virtual Cooking or Mixology Class with Delivered Ingredient Kits

Several providers ship ingredient kits and pair them with a live instructor-led cooking or cocktail-making class. The team cooks or mixes the same recipe together on video, then eats or drinks the result. It is a popular format for teams that want a shared sensory experience.

Best for: Teams that enjoy a hands-on, timed challenge and do not have dietary restriction complexity.

What it lacks: Ingredient shipping logistics are complex, allergy accommodations require significant planning, and the finished product is consumed rather than kept.

7. Virtual Holiday Escape Room

Virtual escape rooms run through a hosted platform where small groups solve holiday-themed puzzles collaboratively against a clock. Providers like The Escape Game offer remote formats that work over video conferencing. Groups of six to eight tend to work best.

Best for: Teams that enjoy problem-solving pressure and want a high-engagement 45-to-60-minute block.

What it lacks: Stress is built into the format by design, which makes it a different kind of event from a holiday celebration. Large teams need multiple simultaneous rooms, which adds coordination complexity.

8. Virtual Holiday Bingo

Holiday bingo cards mix seasonal themes with workplace in-jokes and are distributed digitally or by mail before the event. A host calls squares while the group chats. Free platforms exist, or bingo can be built into a broader holiday game show.

Best for: Large groups that need a passive-participation option, or as a warm-up activity running in the background of a longer event.

What it lacks: Engagement drops sharply once a winner is crowned, and the format favors luck over any kind of skill or creativity.

9. Virtual Holiday Talent Show or Lip Sync Battle

Team members prepare short performances, whether a song, a comedy bit, a lip sync, or a surprising talent, and present them on video. A panel of judges or an audience poll picks winners. This format works best with a pre-committed, high-energy group.

Best for: Teams with strong existing rapport and members who are comfortable performing on camera.

What it lacks: Highly dependent on individual willingness to perform, which makes it exclusionary for quieter team members. Preparation time is required in advance.

10. Virtual Cookie or Gingerbread Decorating

Some vendors ship pre-baked cookies and decorating supplies to participants' homes ahead of a live virtual decorating session. The team decorates together on video with a host offering tips. It is a short, festive activity with a clear holiday connection.

Best for: A one-hour slot with a light, low-pressure atmosphere. Works well as an addition to a longer virtual party agenda.

What it lacks: Decoration activities have a short engagement window, and shipping baked goods introduces fragility and allergy considerations that add logistics overhead.

11. Virtual Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Digital scavenger hunts send participants around their homes or neighborhoods to find, photograph, or describe holiday-themed items on a shared list. Platforms host the competition automatically. They work best as async activities that teams complete individually ahead of a group reveal call.

Best for: Global teams across many time zones who need a fully async holiday activity.

What it lacks: The async nature reduces the shared, simultaneous experience that makes a holiday party feel like a party. It works better as a warm-up or add-on than as the main event.

12. Virtual Holiday Costume Contest

Team members show up to the holiday video call in festive attire, and the group votes on categories like most creative, most festive, or best holiday movie character. It requires zero setup cost, zero shipping, and zero lead time.

Best for: A five-to-ten-minute opener or closer that sets a festive tone without requiring event planning infrastructure.

What it lacks: Participation is inherently uneven. Some team members will go all-in; others will feel self-conscious. It works as a feature of a broader event, not a standalone activity.

13. Virtual Holiday Card Making Workshop

A live host or pre-recorded tutorial guides participants through making a physical holiday card using materials they source themselves or receive in a shipped kit. Teams then mail cards to each other, clients, or a charitable organization. It adds a philanthropic dimension that resonates with teams organized around giving back during the holidays.

Best for: Teams that want a creative activity with a giving component, or organizations that send holiday cards to clients as a tradition.

What it lacks: The quality of the experience depends significantly on whether participants can source consistent materials, and the activity rewards crafters more than non-crafters.

Evaluation Rubric for Virtual Holiday Party Activities in 2026

The Painting to Gogh Editorial Team evaluated each activity against the following weighted criteria based on what distributed teams consistently report as their top priorities.

Painting to Gogh is the only activity on this list that scores fully across all six criteria.

Why Painting to Gogh Is the Best Virtual Holiday Party Activity for Remote Teams

Most virtual holiday party activities solve one problem. Painting to Gogh solves all of them at once. Kits ship to every home address across the US, Canada, and internationally. No experience is needed, because every Painting to Gogh kit ships with a custom palette matched to that specific painting, so no one is stuck mixing colors or falling behind. Every participant walks away from the event with a finished piece of original art on a gallery-wrapped canvas, ready to hang. The organizer picks a painting and sends Painting to Gogh the addresses. Painting to Gogh handles the shipping, the invoice, and the instruction.

The numbers behind the event are real: more than 1,000 companies served, over 200,000 people guided, events spanning four countries at once, and a documented 2,000-person company-wide event that ran team by team on each team's own schedule.

For teams that want a genuine paint and sip corporate holiday party, Painting to Gogh is the only provider in this comparison that ships an actual bottle of wine or non-alcoholic wine through a wine partner ($45 per person including shipping, available in 42 US states). Painting kits can ship anywhere.

Painting to Gogh starts at $39.99 per person with no minimum group size, and most events land between $40 and $60 per person depending on kit, instructor option, and whether kits ship to one address or to individual homes. Learn about corporate paint and sip events at paintingtogogh.com/pages/corporate-paint-and-sip.

FAQs About Virtual Holiday Party Activities for Remote Teams