Office Holiday Party Games Your Team Will Actually Play
Most office holiday party games are trivia with a Santa hat on. This one is a murder. Your team splits into small squads, every squad gets the same case, and at the end you compare verdicts to see who cracked it and who confidently accused the wrong person. It runs in the browser on everyone's own device, so it works the same in a conference room, on a video call, or both at once. No downloads, no player accounts, and no planning call.
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The case built for it: The Secret Santa
The Secret Santa
The annual Ellison Digital holiday party has everything: an open bar, a Secret Santa pile under the tree, and a CEO who brings his grandmother's eggnog in an engraved silver thermos every December. Moments after raising his traditional toast, and minutes before the gift exchange, Douglas Ellison collapses on the twelfth-floor lounge carpet.
Medium · 3-6 players · 40-50 min
Individual case · $4.99
It is set at an office holiday party, which makes it the right amount of too close to home. 3-6 players per squad, about 40-50 min, Medium difficulty.
Not everyone celebrates Christmas? Run a winter case
Snowbound Secrets
January 1932. An Alpine Club expedition to the summit is forced back to Whiteridge Lodge at 8,500 feet when a blizzard rolls in and cuts off all contact with the outside world.
Expert · 4-8 players · 75-90 min
Individual case · $4.99
Snowbound Secrets has snow, a lodge, and a killer, and no holiday theme at all. A 1932 Alpine expedition is cut off by a blizzard, and the footprints at the top of the staircase match only one of the five guests. It is one of the hardest cases in the library at Expert difficulty, which some teams take personally. 4-8 players per squad, about 75-90 min.
Party in January? Kick off the year with The Midnight Countdown
The Midnight Countdown
The countdown to midnight had barely begun when mogul Victor Slade, who'd promised a life-changing announcement to his handpicked guests at the most exclusive New Year's Eve gala in the city, was found dead on the rooftop terrace as confetti began to fall. The blow was masked by fireworks.
Medium · 2-8 players · 45-55 min
Individual case · $4.99
A rooftop gala, a mogul dead during the countdown, and every clock in the penthouse set 23 minutes off. It is a New Year's Eve case, which makes it a good fit for the January kickoff that replaced the December party. 2-8 players per squad, about 45-55 min.
How it works for teams
- Buy a package. Pick the size of your group and pay once. You get one private link for your team leads. There is nothing for players to buy or download.
- Captains open rooms. Each squad captain opens a room from the private link, and their squad joins with a code. Squads of 4 to 6 fit every holiday case.
- Investigate, then compare verdicts. Every squad works the same case on its own. When time is up, compare who each squad accused and why. The winning squad gets bragging rights until next December.
Buy now and play any time in the next 90 days, so you can lock in the activity before the date is final. Groups larger than 75, or anyone who needs a PO or invoice, can email support@coldcaseparty.com.
In person, remote, or hybrid
In the office. Each squad gathers around a laptop or plays on their own phones at the same table. Put the squads in different corners of the room so they cannot overhear each other's theories. They will try.
Fully remote. Each squad gets its own video call or breakout room, and everyone joins the case from their own screen. Bring the squads back to the main call for the verdict reveal.
Hybrid. Mix in-office and remote people in the same squad. Everyone joins the same room code, so the people at home see exactly what the people in the office see.
Office party planning checklist
- Book one to two weeks out, then send the calendar hold. The package stays good for 90 days.
- Pick one captain per squad and send them the private link the day before.
- Block 75 minutes: 10 to get everyone in, about an hour to play, 5 for the verdicts.
- Want a test run? A rehearsal room uses one slot, and every package includes two backup rooms for restarts.
- Pick a prize for the winning squad. A trophy from the dollar store works better than it should.
No screens in the office? Print it
Ring Light is a printable murder mystery built for teams: a livestream house where the evidence is chat logs, DMs, and smart-lock records. Every player holds their own dossier, so it works around a conference table or over a video call. $19.99, instant PDF.
Ring LightFrequently asked questions
What are good games for an office holiday party?
The best ones get people from different teams talking without forcing anyone to perform. A team murder mystery does that: squads work the same case, everyone contributes something, and comparing verdicts at the end gives the whole party a shared moment.
Does this work for a virtual or hybrid holiday party?
Yes. ColdCase Party runs in the browser, and every player joins from their own device with a room code. Remote players, in-office players, and mixed squads all see the same case.
How many people can play?
Squads of 4 to 6 fit every holiday case, and team packages cover groups up to 75. For larger groups, email support@coldcaseparty.com.
How long does it take?
Plan on about an hour of play, plus 10 minutes to get everyone in and a few minutes for the verdicts.
Do employees need to download anything or make accounts?
No. Players join with a room code and a detective name. Nothing to install and nothing to buy.
Is a murder mystery appropriate for a work party?
Yes. The cases are puzzle-first whodunits. Nobody has to act, dress up, or read a script out loud, and The Secret Santa is literally set at an office party. If your team is mixed on holidays, Snowbound Secrets has no holiday theme.
Can we pay by invoice or PO?
For larger groups or invoice and PO requests, email support@coldcaseparty.com and we will sort it out.
Can we buy now and play in January?
Yes. Every package can be used any time in the 90 days after purchase.