Your guide to holiday party planning
Something for everyone: The trend making company celebrations memorable for all generations
By Web Behrens for Crain’s Content Studio
How do you get your entire workforce on the same page for a party that embraces the holiday spirit? We surveyed a few of the city’s experienced party planners and hosts to find out. These tips can help make any corporate gathering more memorable — and turn the salty Scrooges and Grinches into fun-loving Fezziwigs and wideeyed Cindy Lou Whos.
Organizing a big event involves many moving parts, with choices to be made around venue, cuisine, activities and more. The key question of what comes first involves a bit of a chicken-andegg bemusement.
fast, especially for peak December dates,” Ferro notes. Also, that choice can provide a framework for the rest of your planning. “Securing your venue first helps you with direction for the entire event: the theme, food selections, activities and activations for the guests, and more,” Kroulaidis says.
Another piece of timeless advice: Fun experiences make a party pop — but giving your guests options matters, too. “Remember, your event attendees are a cross-section of generations attending the same party,” Kroulaidis points out, so it helps to think of different ways to engage a corporate group.
No matter how special the venue is, there’s always a way to bring extra pizazz for employees.
“I always recommend to begin with the end in mind,” says Lorelei Kroulaidis, director of special events at Chicago History Museum. In other words, she elaborates, “Look at previous feedback on other holiday parties you have had, and then see what the priorities tend to be.”
“We always encourage clients to start with intention,” says Leah Ferro, events manager at The Bellevue Chicago, an upscale Gold Coast restaurant. “Are you celebrating the team, rewarding them, building culture, or all the above? Once the purpose is clear, the rest falls into place.”
While you’re thinking about the big picture, professionals recommend selecting the venue early in the process. Nailing this detail down ensures your company gets its preferred date and time for the holiday party. “The best spaces book
“That layered, experiential approach is still very much on trend for 2025,” concurs Ferro. “It’s about keeping the energy high and the surprises coming. One of our most memorable holiday events last year was a progressive-style party where each room at The Bellevue had a different activation: A martini cart and oyster-shucking station in one space, live jazz in another, and a dessert lounge complete with an espresso martini bar and late-night bites. Guests loved the sense of discovery. The format encouraged mingling, and no one felt stuck at a table.”
Ferro notes a similar “choose your own adventure” event that happened recently at the Chicago History Museum, where the client took advantage of the large space: “If guests wanted to attend a silent dance party, they could do so in our theater space on the stage. If they wanted to hear live jazz, they could do so in one of our exhibition spaces. Even if they
wanted to play games, the client had an area of the museum for that too.
Taking advantage of a venue’s distinctive features is always a smart move. Established in 1974 as the crown jewel of the then-new Sears Tower, the Metropolitan Club has the landmark location working for it. “Specifically because the Willis (Sears) Tower is so iconic, people are excited to come up and see the spaces,” says Ryuto Adamson, the Club’s private event coordinator. Perks include the Metropolitan’s indoor golf bays, which are popular low-stakes icebreakers. “We also work with the Skydeck,” Adamson continues, “so guests can add on tickets and go all the way up to the top of the building to get a 360-degree view of Chicago.”
Sometimes it’s the unexpected that brings the flash to the holiday party. Take Soldier Field, for example: “We pride ourselves on the decor visuals,” notes director of marketing, Luca Sera. In the past, guests have loved the surprising transformation of the historic venue’s garage into an indus-
trial night club for anyone looking to dance.
No matter how special the venue is, there’s always a way to bring extra pizazz for employees. For a winter corporate party at Rockwell on the River, “the client rented heated igloos for the riverfront patio,” recalls Eleanor Boardman, operations director at Venue Logic, a venue-management and party-planning company that also works with the Bridgeport Art Center. The igloos featured cozy seating, faux fur throws, and soft ambient lighting with a nearby hot-drink station. “These became instant conversation hubs. It was a cozy, wintery touch without being overly holiday.”
It’s never too early to book a venue for your next big event. Whether you’re a business owner looking to thank your employees, or the designated party planner, these recommendations will set your next corporate event apart from the rest.
CRAIN’S CORPORATE HOLIDAY GUIDE 2025
Celebrate the season in style at The Bellevue, a premier destination for holiday private dining in Chicago’s Gold Coast. The elegant dining room hosts 20 to 100 guests for brunch, lunch or dinner, with both private and semi-private options available. Seasonal prix fixe menus showcase classic American dishes with refined and inventive twists. Guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in the glass-enclosed dining space on the second level, featuring a custom mural, flowing drapery and warm sophisticated design. A semi-private patio enclosure offers year-round comfort and views from the most iconic corner in the Gold Coast. For larger or more exclusive events, both the entire second floor and the separate first-floor lounge are available for full buyouts, perfect for festive receptions or holiday parties. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a lively celebration, The Bellevue provides a polished, memorable setting for any occasion.
leah.ferro@thebellevuechicago.com • thebellevuechicago.com
Maximum capacity: 120
Located on the Chicago River, the Bridgeport Art Center is the perfect destination for corporate events, galas and holiday celebrations. One of the city’s busiest art and event spaces, its versatile venues accommodate both intimate gatherings and large-scale affairs. Whether your event takes place in the award-winning Skyline Loft with sweeping city views or the elegant Sculpture Garden & Gallery adorned with crystal chandeliers and curated sculptures, the space offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop to celebrate the season in style and sophistication.
jchoi@venuelogicchicago.com • Bridgeportart.com
Maximum capacity: 500+
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614 312-799-2252
The Chicago History Museum invites you and your guests into our warm, historical home for the holidays. Be a guest at your own holiday celebration at the Chicago History Museum. Tucked along the gardens of Lincoln Park, the Chicago History Museum offers a variety of spaces that can be used for corporate events, daytime meetings, cocktail receptions, reunions and, of course, your holiday festivities. events@chicagohistory.org • chicagohistory.org/ corporate-events
Maximum capacity: 1,800
The
Geraghty
2520 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 312-376-0880
The Geraghty offers 25,000 square feet of versatile event space in Chicago, perfect for corporate events, weddings, galas, and social gatherings. With 22-foot ceilings, convenient onsite parking, luxury restrooms, and exclusive-use venue rental, our modern amenities ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for every event.
info@thegeraghty.com • thegeraghty.com
Maximum capacity: Customizable. Contact for more info.
Giordano’s
730 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611 312.951.0747
Bring the team together with a Chicago-style event at Giordano’s. Famous for our legendary stuffed deep-dish pizza, we’ve been serving up Windy City flavor since 1974. Whether you’re planning a holiday party, team lunch, or office celebration, Giordano’s offers catering and private party rooms in a laid-back atmosphere perfect for connecting outside the office. From our iconic deep-dish to traditional thin crusts, pastas, salads, and sharable starters, every bite brings a little more Chicago to the table. Giordano’s. A Chicago original—perfect for your next company gettogether.
rush@giordanos.com • giordanos.com
Maximum capacity: 300
3057 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, IL 60618 312-624-9164
Rockwell on the River will captivate you with its architectural design — a perfect blend of industrial charm and natural beauty. As you gaze through the expansive windows, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the European courtyard nestled along the Chicago River. With its warm ambiance, twinkling lights and versatile layout, Rockwell creates an unforgettable setting for holiday celebrations, offering the perfect mix of elegance and comfort to toast the season in style. cboardman@venuelogicchicago.com • rockwellontheriver.com/ event-space/
Maximum capacity: 500+
Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Dr., Chicago, IL 60605 312-235-7000
Soldier Field is the premier event venue in Chicago, hosting a wide range of events including sporting events, concerts, corporate events, social events, meetings and expos. With sweeping views of the downtown skyline and beautiful Lake Michigan, Soldier Field is the perfect venue to wow your guests. The talented event team at Soldier Field will take care of every detail to ensure that your event is spectacular.
events@soldierfield.net • soldierfield.com
Maximum capacity: 63,000
CREATE YOUR HISTORIC MOMENT
With breathtaking views just steps from the lake, the Chicago History Museum is the perfect location for your next event.
We offer several event spaces, an outdoor plaza, and a theater to allow for gatherings of up to 1,500 people. Add a lively after-hours cocktail reception to unwind after a productive day.
Set the perfect scene for your next event at the Chicago History Museum.
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