Most of us know how to throw a backyard barbecue or a Friday-afternoon happy hour with our co-workers, but organising a virtual party involves a different set of skills.

With more people working remotely and realizing the convenience of gathering virtually, online parties are an increasingly popular way of connecting with loved ones, hanging out with friends, and bonding with colleagues.

Read on to learn more about how you can host a virtual party of your own, complete with ideas for inviting guests, fun group activities, and themes that won’t be a dud.

What is a virtual party?

A virtual party is a social event that is organised and held online, usually via video-conferencing software like Zoom, Google Meet or Skype. Some virtual parties are spontaneous affairs, thrown together at the last minute when friends or family members find themselves with free time and an internet connection. 

But many people have started planning virtual parties in advance and opening them to people outside of their immediate social circles, inviting attendees (and selling tickets) using platforms like Eventbrite.

Why have virtual parties become so popular?

There are a few reasons why virtual parties have exploded in popularity over the past few years.

First, they offer a way to connect with people from all over the world without having to leave your home (or spend money on airfare). Second, they’re more-inclusive than traditional in-person events because people with mobility issues or young children can more easily participate.

Finally, virtual parties can be tailored to fit any budget and schedule — you don’t need to rent a venue or hire a band, and your guests can log in from wherever they are.

Tips for planning a fun, unique virtual party

If you’ve decided to throw a virtual party, here are helpful tips for making the most of your online celebration.

• Choose a theme: Just like a regular party, choosing a creative theme can take your virtual party to the next level. You could host a virtual costume party where everyone shows up in an unexpected outfit; a ’90s party featuring decade-appropriate music and Zoom backgrounds; or a game night where everyone competes in online trivia, virtual board games, or video games.
• Make it interactive: Nobody wants to show up to a party where there’s nothing to do — especially a virtual event where you might be stuck sitting in front of your computer. Make sure that your guests are able to participate throughout the party, whether you host a simple Q&A session or organise interactive elements like virtual tours and trivia games.
• Keep it short and sweet: Like any other gathering, virtual parties can start to drag if they go on for too long. Try to keep your event to two hours or less (unless your guests simply don’t want to let the fun end), and make sure there are at least a few breaks for people to socialize and mingle.
• Send out invitations early: To give your guests time to plan and prepare, send out virtual party invitations at least two weeks in advance. Include all the important details, like the date, time, theme, and dress code, as well as any instructions for logging into the event.
• Practice: Ensure you have selected your online streaming platform in advance — whether that’s YouTube Live, Zoom, Twitch, Discord, or Google Meet. And practice your setup with your camera and audio to ensure everything is set prior to your attendees showing up.
• Plan for technical difficulties: Even with the best planning, virtual parties can sometimes be derailed by technical issues like unreliable Wi-Fi and computer glitches. Make sure you have a backup plan for things like spotty internet connections or audio problems, and be prepared to troubleshoot any issues that come up.

Read more: 4 Solutions for When Virtual Events Go Wrong

What are some ideas for virtual party activities?

There are some limitations on the types of activities you can pull off at an online party, but that shouldn’t stop you from experimenting with what’s possible in a virtual setting. We’ve rounded up a few general ideas below that you can use as a jumping off point for your next cyber soirée. But keep scrolling for more-specific ideas.

• Playing online games together (e.g., Jackbox Party Pack, Heads Up!, Psych!, Among Us, Mario Kart)
• Hosting a virtual cooking or mixology class
• Having a movie night using a service like Teleparty
• Organising a virtual scavenger hunt
• Participating in a group fitness class
• Throwing a virtual dance party, with a playlist assembled in collaboration with your guests

Virtual party ideas for adults

1. Virtual weddings: With the rise of Zoom and other video conferencing platforms, more and more couples are opting to have virtual weddings. Using video conferencing tools, you can host an online ceremony, invite guests to a virtual reception, and allow your attendees to give toasts from afar. If you don’t want to worry about the details, you can even hire a virtual wedding planner to help with the logistics.
2. Virtual happy hours: You can still share a few drinks and converse with your friends and co-workers, even if you can’t be in the same place. Set a time, encourage your guests to BYOB, and throw on some music to set the mood.
3. Virtual escape rooms: Want to see if you and your party attendees can work together as a team, even if you’re not in the same room? Companies like Escapely and Puzzle Break offer virtual escape rooms that can be customized to fit various group sizes. 
4. Virtual birthdays: Sing happy birthday, open gifts, and encourage people to order in their favorite dessert. It’s even easier to gather virtually for that special day, especially with friends and relatives from afar.
5. Virtual trivia: Trivia is always a hit at parties, and it’s an easy activity to replicate in a virtual setting. You can use a service like Kahoot! or Quizlet, or even create your own trivia game where you (or a guest) act as the quiz master.

Read more: Tips for Selling More Tickets to a Virtual Event

Virtual party ideas for kids

6. Virtual birthday parties: Short attention spans might make this a brief online affair, but it’s entirely possible to throw a virtual birthday party for your kiddo. Come up with a game to play, some songs to sing, and invite guests to enjoy a dessert after your little one blows out the candles on camera.

7. Virtual scavenger hunts: A virtual scavenger hunt can be an interesting way to keep kids entertained and engaged. You can use online resources to create your own scavenger hunt, asking guests to hunt for items in their homes or find information by searching the web.

8. Virtual dance parties: Get the kids moving with a virtual dance party featuring a fun and age-appropriate playlist that you can make yourself. You might be able to find a DJ who is willing to spin a set remotely.

Virtual party ideas for co-workers

9. Virtual office happy hours: Remote workers can unite with folks from throughout the company at these online gatherings, where everyone can drink their preferred beverage. Keep the camaraderie high by playing games, recognizing accomplishments, or providing virtual breakout rooms for conversations.

10. Virtual talent show: Discover the hidden talents of your coworkers by staging a virtual talent show, giving each participant a limited amount of time to show off a skill. Encourage everyone to participate by offering prizes — and set up a form so that everyone in attendance can vote for their favorite performances.

11. Virtual team-building activities: From virtual escape rooms to cooperative online games, there are plenty of activities you can employ at a party based around team-building. Make sure that the entire event isn’t devoted to solving problems — make time for your team to socialize and get to know one another.

Read more: 67 Virtual Event Ideas and Formats to Inspire Your Next Great Event

Virtual holiday party ideas

12. Christmas virtual party: Embrace the holiday spirit at a virtual Christmas party — and don’t limit yourself to practicing your own holiday traditions. You can sip eggnog with friends, decorate cookies, open gifts with family members, or make a playlists of upbeat Christmas songs and invite folks to join you online for a festive jingle ball. Ugly sweaters encouraged!

13. New Year’s Eve virtual party: Skip the ball drop and fireworks and ring in the new year online with friends and family. You can pour any kind of bubbly you like, stage your own countdown, and stay up dancing well after midnight.

14. Halloween virtual party: Show off your costume with folks from around the world at an online Halloween bash, where you can exchange spooky stories, talk about your favorite candy bar, or watch a horror movie in the comforting glow of your laptop screen.

15. Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving virtual dinner: If you’re in need of some company on Thanksgiving, you can invite friends and family to join you at your table, via a laptop. Everyone can cook their own meal (which means that your menu can buck tradition) and share what they’re thankful for before the tryptophan starts making eyelids droop.

No matter what virtual party you choose to throw, the most important thing is to have fun and be creative! And whether you’re inviting people you already know or want to sell tickets to your party, Eventbrite can help keep track of who is planning to show up and join in on the fun.

Ready to organise a virtual party, invite some friends, or sell tickets to people from around the world? Discover all the tools you need to get the party started.