Statistics for 2020 Virtual Christmas Parties

2020 Virtual Christmas Party Trends Industry Report & Statistics

Funktion Events have delivered over 20,000 group events since 2007 and are an ABTA bonded company. As 2020 comes to an end, this report reflects on an unprecedented year and showcases some of the top trends across the virtual Christmas party segment of the events industry.

The virtual xmas statistics are sourced from our own booking data taken from over 6500 participants in an virtual online Christmas parties taking place in December 2020

Group Sizes for Virtual Christmas Parties in 2020

Group Sizes for Virtual Christmas Parties in 2020

Our stats show that the average group size for virtual work Christmas parties was 25 people. 

What we actually saw was many departments and teams booking separately  from the same company.

For example one large business had 4 separate events instead of hosting one large Xmas party, each with different activities.

However some businesses still opted for the traditional Christmas party of bringing everyone together in one place, (virtually of course).  Our largest event was for 243 people.

Key Group Size Stats

✓ The average group size of employees participating was 25 people

✓ The smallest group - 6 people

✓ The largest group - 243 people


The Cost of Virtual Christmas Parties in 2020

The Cost of Virtual Christmas Parties in 2020

Whilst some workplaces pull out all the stops for their staff, it doesn't mean a virtual Christmas do has to break the bank!

For example, a business of frugal employees spent just £15 each for a festive themed quiz for their get together. On the flip side, a company handed over £7440 for us to manage their virtual xmas day.

The average overall amount paid by businesses for their staff virtual Christmas parties was £947. With the average spend per person coming in at £37.72.

So no matter how big or small the budget, you can still come together to enjoy the festive spirit.

Key Costs Stats

✓ Average Spend Per Event - £947

✓ Average Individual Spend - £37.72

✓ Highest Group Spend - £7440

✓ Lowest Group Spend - £204


Most Popular Day to Hold a Virtual Work Christmas Event

Most Popular Day to Hold a Virtual Work Christmas Event

28.65% of businesses had virtual Xmas parties on Fridays in December 2020.

Thursday (26.56%) and Wednesday (25%) were not that far behind.

The stats show that Monday is still the day to focus on work with only 3.13% choosing to celebrate on that day.

Our busiest dates for events was Wednesday, 16th December followed very closely by Friday, 11th December 2020.

Key Dates & Day Stats

✓ Most Popular Day for a Virtual Christmas Party - Friday

✓ Busiest Day -  Wednesday, 16th December


The Most Popular Time to Host a Virtual Christmas Party

The Most Popular Time to Host a Virtual Christmas Party

According to the stats, 4pm was the most popular time to host the virtual event with 20.73% of groups choosing it.

Initially we thought evening times would be the busiest, but it came apparent quite quickly that late afternoon was the time of choice.

From chatting to 100's of office managers we discovered that they didn't want their remote workers looking at screens all day, to then come back onto screens in the evening.

Key Time Stats

✓ Most Popular Time - 4pm


The Most Popular Activities Chosen for a Virtual Christmas Party

The Most Popular Activities Chosen for a Virtual Christmas Party

Christmas parties in 2020 were more about experiences than the traditional themed sit down meal.

We offer many virtual team activities but 4 stood out by a long way as the popular choice for Christmas.

People still wanted quizzes, with 22.8% of groups selecting it. 

Virtual Cocktail making was by far the most popular activity with over 57.6% of workplaces choosing it.

So even with covid restrictions in place, work colleagues still managed to have a festive drink together.

Key Activities Stats

✓ Most Popular Activity - Virtual Cocktail Class


Most Popular Video Conferencing Platform for Virtual Christmas Parties

Most Popular Video Conferencing Platform for Virtual Christmas Parties

From our booking data, Zoom was the most popular video-chatting service used to host a virtual party with 77.87% of our groups selecting it.

MS Teams was used by 14.75% of our events with Webex coming in third with 4.1%.

Key Video Conferencing Stats

✓ Most Popular Conferencing Platform - Zoom

What next..

The statistics above are encouraging for certain sectors within the events industry. We believe that virtual team activities won't just disappear when face to face events are allowed to resume. So, will virtual events become the new normal? 

See our 2021 Virtual Christmas Party Trends & Industry Stats

Source: Funktion Leisure Ltd t/a Funktion Events Booking Data
Based on figures from over 6500 participates in virtual Christmas parties taking place in December 2020

Funktion Events have delivered over 20,000 group events since 2007 and are an ABTA bonded company.

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