As families across the UK gather for the festive season, the search for the perfect holiday entertainment begins. Whether your household is in the mood for singing, competitive driving, quirky quizzes, or cooperative shouting, we have curated a list of the eight best party games to guarantee homely holiday fun and perhaps a little friendly chaos.
Chaotic Co-operation and Competitive Capers
For those who thrive on collaborative chaos, several standout titles demand teamwork and communication. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a gorgeous co-op shooter for up to four players. Everyone must work together to manage a single spaceship, racing between stations to fire weapons, repair damage, and power shields. It’s the perfect opportunity to yell vital orders at your relatives.
Similarly frantic is Heave Ho, a puzzle platformer where up to four players control stretchy creatures. You must navigate treacherous levels by pulling, throwing, and using each other as makeshift bridges. The game requires serious communication and a forgiving spirit when a family member accidentally launches you into the abyss.
If you prefer your co-operation with a side of organised chaos, look no further than Spaceteam. This brilliant mobile game is described by its developer as “a cooperative shouting game”. Up to eight players, each on their phone, become the crew of a failing starship, barking nonsensical orders at each other based on on-screen prompts. It’s loud, ridiculous, and ideal for a raucous Christmas Eve.
Festive Competition: Driving, Baking, and Moving
For many, the holidays are about friendly competition, and the options are delightfully varied. The undisputed king of accessible racing, Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2, offers simple yet deep controls, beloved characters, and bonkers circuits set within an explorable open world. The inclusion of homing shells and other weapons means anyone can win, but the real joy is the glorious chaos unleashed on the track. If you don’t have the new console, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the original Switch remains a stellar alternative.
For a more culinary clash, Cake Bash is a delightful multiplayer brawler. Players pick a cute cake character and engage in food fights and mini-games like roasting marshmallows. It’s as if The Great British Bake Off took a wildly gladiatorial turn.
Meanwhile, Moving Out 2 transforms the stress of relocation into a hilarious co-op puzzle game. Working as a removal team, you must carefully carry sofas and fragile items to a truck as fast as possible without breaking them. It’s only a matter of time before someone shouts “Pivot!” in true Friends fashion.
Singing, Quizzing, and Holiday Harmony
No Christmas is complete without a sing-song. Let’s Sing 2026 provides the perfect karaoke solution with 35 current hits from artists like Chappell Roan and Lewis Capaldi. A month’s free access to an online jukebox adds hundreds more classics. You can use USB microphones or a phone app. For a more physical alternative, Just Dance 2026 Edition offers energetic fun, though it requires space and coordination to avoid domestic disasters.
Finally, to test the family’s wits, the Jackbox Party Pack 11 is an excellent choice. This latest instalment in the beloved quiz series allows up to eight players to compete in creative rounds involving drawing, sound effects, and trivia. It’s best played when everyone is alert enough to grasp the rules, making it an ideal starter for the evening’s festivities.
This selection proves that whether your family favours cooperation, competition, or creative expression, there’s a video game perfectly suited to bring laughter and memorable moments to your Christmas gathering.
