The food at a dinner party is important, but so is the entertainment. The right entertainment will keep guests engaged, entertained and laughing throughout the night.
Here are some entertainment ideas that are sure to delight and surprise your guests. These ideas will have you turning your next dinner party into a truly unforgettable event.
Movie Night
A movie night can be a fun and bonding experience for the whole family. Depending on the movie, everyone may laugh together, get teary, or gasp at a dramatic twist.
Consider using lounge chairs that have reclining or adjustable seats so everyone can find their comfortable position to watch the film. Providing blankets is another thoughtful touch that can keep your guests cozy as the evening cools.
For a fun movie night theme, use old movie posters to decorate your home theater. Serve dinner and snacks that match the movie’s theme. For instance, if you’re watching a musical, you could play classic songs from the film while eating pasta and pizza. You could also read a book based on the film or play a movie-related board game.
Karaoke
Karaoke is a fun entertainment idea for a dinner party, but it isn’t enough on its own. Add a few other activities to the night, like board games or drinking games (like Cards Against Humanity or Joking Hazard) that encourage conversation and interaction between guests.
Provide a playlist for your guests so that they can sing along if they wish. Having the lyrics in front of them can also help people who don’t know the words to songs, especially if they aren’t singing in their native language.
Put song titles in one bowl and famous singers in another, and challenge your guests to sing popular songs in the style of the artist they picked. This is a great game for adults and kids! Offer winners some victorious prizes, from candy to pizza to alcohol if desired.
Game Night
Even if you don’t go full game night, you can still add a fun group activity to your dinner party. Try playing a simple card game or having people take turns answering fun questions like Who Am I? or a version of Table Topics.
Pictionary is another great option that involves acting but requires no props. You can also try a modern twist on this classic game called Telestrations.
This adult-only game is a great icebreaker, gets your guests talking about cooler topics than their jobs or kids and won’t take up all night. You can buy the game online or just use whiteboards and some pens around your dining table.
Ice-Cream Bar
While it might be a bit of a departure from the charcuterie board, this simple and sweet bar is easy to set up (and will definitely add some fun to your party). Provide ice cream and toppings in the form of scoops or cones and let guests create their own delicious treat. You could even add a few more luxe ingredients, such as cheesecake pieces and flavored syrups, to make the experience more fun. For an extra-special touch, display your ice cream on a cake stand and add a simple sign to tie it all together.
Surprise Entertainment
Surprise entertainment can be an easy and fun way to spruce up a dinner party. Hire entertainers like mimes and clowns to add a whimsical feel or bring in a band that specializes in the music from the decade your dinner party is themed around.
A blindfolded guessing game with hidden ingredients is a great way to keep guests entertained and engaged. You can set the rules of the game beforehand or allow guests to go wild with their creations, and then have them vote on the best dish.
A dinner party centred on family recipes is a great way to bond over food, share stories and create lifelong memories. This is also an opportunity to discover cuisines that your family may have forgotten or never tried.