How much does a company holiday party cost?
Enter the number of employees, pick a venue and what should happen. We’ll estimate the total budget and the cost per person - handy for a budget request or for comparing venue quotes.
Prices updated: · United States (USD) · free, no sign-up
Calculator result
Party cost
$5,700
40 guests
- Per person
- $140
- Per employee
- $140
- If the company also pays for plus-ones
- Food per person
- $50
Where the money goes
- Holiday dinner40 × $50$2,100
- Service charge and extrasabout 20% service charge, coat check, decor, contingency$1,030
- DJ4-5 hours with sound system$1,000
- Drinks40 × $22$880
- Team triviaon phones, scores on the big screen$400
- Venue or room feedepends on the day and the food and beverage minimum$300
- December Fridays and Saturdays book up by early fall. A weeknight in early December or a “new year” party in January is often 15-25% cheaper.
- Check the tax side with your accountant before you sign: a party open to all employees is usually fully deductible (not just 50% like business meals), but gift cards count as taxable wages even when small.
- A trivia game about the company and the team on everyone’s phone brings people together better than speeches - everyone plays, even those who don’t dance.
How we calculate
- Food and drinks are counted for every guest (employees plus plus-ones). Restaurant about $55, hotel about $75, catering in the office about $35 per person; a holiday party is about 5% less, a gala about 30% more.
- Drinks: non-alcoholic about $8, beer and wine about $22, a full open bar about $45 per person. The area shifts prices (major metros about +35%).
- Music, entertainment, and venue fees are fixed costs. Transportation is one shuttle bus per 50 guests. On top we add about 22% for the service charge, coat check, decor, and extras - most venues add a 20% service charge to the bill.
Cheat sheet: prices and good practice
Prices in 2026
- Restaurant dinner or buffet: $40-80 per person
- Beer and wine package: $15-35 per person
- Open bar, 3-4 hours: $30-70 per person
- DJ: $600-1,800, live band: $3,000-9,000
- Typical all-in budget: $75-150 per employee
Timeline
- December party: book the venue in August or September
- Summer party or outing: 3-4 months ahead
- Invitations and a dietary survey: 4-6 weeks ahead
Questions and answers
How much does a company holiday party cost per person?
Usually $75-150 per person all in. For 40 employees at a restaurant with beer and wine and a DJ, about $5,700, or $140 per person. Catered in the office, about $110 per person.
Is a company holiday party tax-deductible?
Generally yes: a party open to all employees is an exception to the 50% limit on business meals and is usually fully deductible. Gift cards for employees count as taxable wages, though, even small ones - check with your accountant.
How can we cut the cost of a company party?
Pick a weeknight or a January date, serve beer and wine instead of a full open bar or use drink tickets, and swap a pricey act for a team trivia game.
Calculate next
- Party food and drinks A shopping list for a house party, BBQ, game night, or kids’ birthday - with quantities and cost.
- Photo booth Classic, mirror, or 360 booth - price for your hours, add-ons, and how many photos to expect.
- Guest shuttle Vans, shuttle buses, and coaches for hotel runs, with minimums, wait time, and gratuity - in the cheapest mix.
- Group gift and bill split How much everyone chips in when the guest of honor doesn’t pay and couples pay together. Rounded up to even amounts.
For the party itself
Games every guest plays at once
Couple trivia, awards and a finale on the big screen. Guests join with a QR code on their phones, no app to download.