Company Holiday Party Amsterdam: A Planning Guide

A good end-of-year party doesn't need to cost a fortune or eat your December. It needs a clear purpose, a date people can make, a venue that works, and one or two things on the programme that bring people together.

If you're planning a company holiday party Amsterdam colleagues will look forward to (a kerstborrel, a personeelsfeest, or simply the end-of-year celebration), this guide walks you through nine steps and a week-by-week timeline. We run hosted painting workshops for teams, so we see the planning side from the vendor's chair, and we've included what we wish every planner knew.

Step 1: Decide what the party is for

Pick one main purpose, because it shapes every other choice.

• Say thank you: keep it relaxed, with a short speech and good food.

• Bring people together: choose an activity that mixes teams, especially if you have new joiners, hybrid colleagues or recently merged groups.

• Celebrate results: build in a moment to look back on the year's wins.

You can do more than one, but the first goal decides where the budget goes.

Step 2: Choose the date and time

November and December are peak months for corporate gatherings, so popular venues and caterers book up early. Plenty of colleagues are also on leave in the last week of the year, and 25 and 26 December are public holidays in the Netherlands, so check calendars before you commit.

Two options are worth considering:

• Daytime: a US survey by ezCater, cited by Cvent, found that 55% of employees would rather celebrate during the workday than after hours. Daytime events are easier for people with caring duties or long commutes.

• January: a Tripleseat survey of US venue managers found that most companies wait until January for their party, which can reduce catering costs and free up venues. It also works well for teams that are too busy in December.

Step 3: Set a budget you can explain

Start with a number per person and multiply by the expected headcount. Then list the lines it needs to cover:

• Venue and any hire fee

• Food and drinks

• The activity or entertainment

• Photos and decoration

• Travel or transport, if you need it

Ask every supplier for a written quote that says what is included and what isn't, and whether VAT is added. For reference, a hosted painting workshop for 25 people is EUR 1,000 in total (EUR 40 per person), excl. VAT and excl. drinks, and includes setup, cleanup, an instructor, all materials, and photos and an aftermovie.

Step 4: Pick the venue

Finding a venue is often the most time-consuming part of the whole plan, so start there. Check:

• Capacity and layout: can everyone sit, stand and move around comfortably?

• Noise: can people actually talk to each other?

• Tables and space: essential if you want an activity such as a workshop.

• Access: step-free entry, toilets and a quiet corner.

• Rules: closing time, whether outside suppliers are allowed, and when vendors can access the room for setup.

No venue yet? Ask your suppliers. We work at offices, hotels and restaurants across Amsterdam, and we can suggest a space if you don't have one.

Step 5: Build a simple programme

The best parties balance structure and free time. A format that works for most teams:

1. Welcome drinks and arrival (30 minutes)

2. One shared activity (60 to 90 minutes)

3. Dinner or buffet, with a short thank-you speech

4. Open time to chat

The activity is what people remember, so choose one that gets people talking instead of presenting. Painting works well here because everyone's hands are busy and conversation flows. Teams often slot our workshop between welcome drinks and dinner. We recommend at least 1.5 hours for the session, plus 45 minutes to an hour before and after for setup and cleanup. See more year-end event ideas if you want to compare formats.

Step 6: Plan food, drinks and inclusion

• Ask about dietary needs and allergies when you invite people.

• Offer good alcohol-free options.

• Use warm, broad wording such as 'end-of-year celebration' so the invitation feels open to everyone, whatever they celebrate.

• Make participation low-pressure. Nobody should have to perform.

Step 7: Send the invitation

Include every essential detail: date, time, location, dress code, whether partners are welcome, and a firm RSVP deadline. A good planning checklist from Cvent recommends spelling all of this out in the formal invitation. Send it early, and send one reminder.

Step 8: Prepare the day itself

• Share a one-page schedule with every supplier.

• Confirm arrival and setup windows. Our team arrives 45 minutes to an hour before the session starts.

• Name one contact person on the day.

• Give your vendors the final headcount. We usually confirm numbers 1 to 2 weeks before the event.

Step 9: Follow up

Send a short thank-you message the next day, with the photos. Our clients receive a team photo and video folder and a highlight aftermovie, usually within a few days, which is easy to share on Slack or LinkedIn. Ask two or three quick questions about what worked, so next year starts with notes.

A simple planning timeline

1. 8 weeks out: set the purpose, date and budget, and book the venue. One planning guide suggests six to eight weeks as the window for booking venues and key vendors.

2. 4 to 6 weeks out: confirm catering and the main activity.

3. 2 to 3 weeks out: book anything that needs less notice. For our workshops we recommend 2 to 3 weeks, and longer for groups over 20.

4. 2 weeks out: send invitations and collect RSVPs and dietary needs.

5. 1 to 2 weeks out: confirm the final headcount with every supplier.

6. The day before: send the one-page schedule and double-check timings.

7. After the party: thank everyone, share photos and note what to change.

Running late?

If your party is a few weeks away and you haven't booked a venue, you still have options:

• Hold a smaller daytime session at your office.

• Book a restaurant's private room for a team lunch instead of a big evening.

• Add a hosted activity to an event you've already planned.

• Move the main party to January and mark December with something small.

Plan your company party with us

Tell us your date, group size and venue, and we'll send a clear written quote within 1 to 2 business days. Get a quote for your team, or read more about corporate painting workshops, how it works and our FAQ.