12 fun and alternative Christmas work party ideas

Who says a Christmas shindig has to be at night? Swap your after dark plans for a dawn tour of the Harbour waters by kayak, and see a completely different side to the city you call home. Plus, you won’t be nursing that pesky hangover afterwards (well, not before the inevitable kick-ons, at least).

If you’re looking for a distinctly sophisticated way to celebrate the season, hiring one of the city’s private dining rooms, commonly found in the finest of fine diners, is certainly one way to do it. These beautiful spaces are typically conceived so that every guest can see one another and it goes without saying that you can expect top notch, thoroughly attentive service. These private rooms don’t come cheap, but for a little extra cash you’ll get a priceless experience.

You can countdown to the New Year on land any year – why not make 2022 the one you wave goodbye to while floating on the high waters of Sydney's harbour? If you haven't got your NYE plans sorted yet – firstly, same – but secondly, you might want to round up some friends and book out a luxurious sea vessel. . 

Climbing the coat hanger with your team is a distinctly memorable way to mark the end of the year. Perhaps the most quintessentially Sydney experience out, climbing the Harbour Bridge is a truly spectacular experience, offering views of the city that will take your breath away. What's more festive than that?

After years of anticipation, Sydney’s first-ever wave park is finally open – welcoming shred-ready office-goers for consistent surfing – deep in Sydney’s west. Hour-long sessions are suitable for everyone from beginner surfers to certified pros, so everyone will have a blast. Plus, dining at Urbnsurf is brought to you by the people behind Potts Point stalwart The Butler, CBD hotspot Bopp and Tone and North Sydney’s beautifully executed indoor-outdoor diner Rafi – so Sandy's and the  Urbnsurf iteration of Rafi will have you covered for a delicious and fanciful work chrissy lunch. 

Learn to paint a masterpiece, guided by a skilled tutor, while you sip a few vinos with the squad. Not only will you be able to show off your creative creds, you’ll also walk away with a piece of art that could make a memorable Chrissie pressie for someone special.

’Tis the season – that is to say, summer – to sit out under the stars while enjoying a top movie. Pop-up alfresco cinemas appear all over Sydney this time of year, which means you (and your festive team) are all in luck when it comes to organising a banger Christmas party with a twist. 

Once on the fringes of the entertainment spectrum, drag queens have enjoyed a mainstream renaissance in recent years (thank you very much RuPaul). But in addition to being beautiful creatures, these resourceful performers were also some of the first to figure how to make the seated service model work in bars, with dinner theatre performances taking place at venues across the city – and now they’re sleigh-ing the Yuletide. 

Release your inner child with a trip to one of Sydney’s fun-filled adult playgrounds. There is of course Luna Park, which makes for killer Insta-fodder as well as fun times, or the wizards at Hijinx Hotel and Archie Bros Cirque Electriq. There’s also a new kid on the amusement centre block, and it’s a biggy. Entertainment Park, located near Prospect, has indoor go-karting, video games, a VR arena and a heap of other cool attractions that would make for an awesome Christmas day out.

VR technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, and one Aussie company, in particular, is showcasing exactly how out of this world this hardware is. Zero Latency, which was founded in Melbourne, opened its first Sydney outpost, using its second generation of untethered VR tech. With just a light backpack, goggles, headphones and a very cool looking gaming gun, you can be transported to strange new worlds where you can battle robot opponents or hordes of rampaging zombies.

After the year that was, this is your opportunity to let it all out. Be transported to a Viking's paradise with an interior littered with antler chandeliers, furs and hides, crude weaponry and chalet-style fireplaces. Christmas packages start at $65 per person for a 'Cheer and Chuck' AKA two hours of axe throwing and a bevvy. If the finance department approves it, you can ball out on the $109 and $149 packages that include food like pizza and antipasto, and drinks packages.

If you've got your heart set on enjoying a tipple or several at your Xmas bash, why not level-up your boozy revelries with some top shelf drops at some of the state’s best vineyards? Most tours will pick you up from the city and ferry you home afterwards, so no one has to miss out as the designated driver. Hic!