5 East Bay Office Holiday Party Ideas
It can be tough to come up with fun, affordable, and office-appropriate ideas for celebrating the holiday season. After all, does anybody *really* want another white elephant exchange? The good news is that there are plenty of creative holiday office party ideas, no matter the size of your company or budget.
Set Sail on the USS Potomac
The USS Potomac served as FDR’s Presidential Yacht, and it was once owned by Elvis Presley before getting herself involved with drug smugglers and eventually sinking off the coast of Treasure Island. Today, she’s been restored to her former glory, and lucky visitors can come aboard for a tour or a cruise.
While public availability is limited after Veteran’s Day, the USS Potomac offers two-hour holiday cruises in mid-December, along with private charters if it’s been a really good year for business. The cruises leave from Jack London Square in Oakland, and start at $60 for two adults, or $6000 plus docking and cleaning fees. Dockside events (with no cruise component) are available at a reduced rate.
- USS Potomac – To find out about availability, visit their website here or call (510)627-1215.
Give Back
While not every charity is equipped to take on a large group of one-time helpers, there are others that rely on group volunteering to help meet their goals. Instead of the standard office Christmas party, consider holding a volunteer day or afternoon instead (perhaps followed by a round of drinks or light bites afterwards). A number of organizations in and around Oakland would be happy to discuss opportunities with you.
- Oakland Public Works – If you’d like to host a one-time community cleanup day, you can get more details here or call (510)238-7630 for more details.
- Gardens at Lake Merritt – The Gardens at Lake Merritt regularly host volunteer days suitable for individuals or small groups. To learn more, visit their page here or fill out their volunteer contact form.
- East Bay Regional Park District – The East Bay Regional Park District has a well-established program for group volunteering, and they invite interested groups to fill out their group volunteer project application here.
Skip the Party Altogether
As nice as the end-of-year togetherness can be, there’s one thing busy employees may value even more – and that’s a little extra time off to work on their respective holiday to-do lists. Why spend a fortune on catering when you could give them an afternoon that doesn’t include a rush hour commute? It may not bring about that warm feeling of co-worker togetherness you’d get with other ideas, but if your employees are looking a little frazzled and it’s not even Thanksgiving, it’s worth a thought.
Take in a Film
The New Parkway Theater is available for private events
Have an office full of introverts? Give them a break from office small-talk and rent out a local theater instead. The New Parkway Theater is a beautiful vintage-inspired space that’s both quirky and cozy. They have two ADA-accessible screening rooms with a variety of seating and plenty of delicious food options. Instead of sticky floors and stale popcorn, they offer everything from pizza bites and fire-roasted vegetables to a taco bar and sangria. If you really had your heart set on popcorn, though, they can do a popcorn bar with a variety of toppings.
- The New Parkway Theater – Find out more about private party rentals on their rental page here.
Enjoy a Local Food Tour
We might be a little biased, but we think we’ve saved the best office holiday party idea for last. An Oakland food tour is the perfect holiday outing for just about any company or department. It gets you out of the office, you get great food and drinks, and there’s just enough time to chat while you’re enjoying everything. It’s also more affordable than many options, since you don’t have to bring in caterers or rent out a location.
Here at Local Food Adventures, we offer a number of tours that are perfect for office holiday parties (or happy hours!):
- Rockridge Neighborhood Heritage Tour – This is our original Oakland food tour, and your team will enjoy SIX different tasting locations over the course of a leisurely three-hour tour. The Rockridge Neighborhood Heritage Tour can be arranged to start at 11:30am, 12:30pm, or 1pm during the holiday season. This tour offers substitutions for guests who don’t eat pork, and vegetarians and gluten-free guests can be accommodated at all stops but one. We can also accommodate for nut allergies and lactose intolerance. Learn more about our Original Oakland Food Tour HERE.
- Rockridge Ice Cream & Gelato Tour – Bundle up and bring your employees along on an evening Ice Cream & Gelato Tour. Sure, it’s a bit cold outside but the fun and glow necklaces you receive will warm your heart and your team’s tummies. Learn more about the Rockridge Ice Cream and Gelato Tour HERE.
- Eat Stay Love Lafayette Food Tour – This family-friendly lunch tour includes five stops over the course of two and a half hours in Oakland’s lovely Lafayette neighborhood. You’ll enjoy a wide variety of dishes, ranging from chai tea to cupcakes and Californios cuisine. Learn more about the Eat Stay Love Lafayette Food Tour HERE.
Have questions about group tours for your office happy hour or holiday party? Check out our private tour page or call us directly at (510)604-6546. You can also email info@localfoodadventures.com.
Happy Holidays!
Whether you choose one of these office holiday party ideas or go in a completely different direction, we wish you all the best this holiday season.
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