If your team is tired of the usual Christmas dinner, these six formats work in Barcelona and can still be booked for December. Each fits into an afternoon or an evening, and several run indoors, which helps when the weather turns.
Before choosing, answer three questions: how many of you there are, whether the event happens during working hours or after them, and how central you want alcohol to be. With those answers the list shortens itself.
Six formats to replace or complement the dinner
1. A private chef dinner
The closest thing to the classic dinner, with a seasonal menu cooked in front of the group. The private chef dinner in a creative loft takes 10 to 24 guests and lasts about three hours. For slightly larger groups, vinyl beats and shared gastronomy sets a single table for 20 to 25 people, with live vinyl sets.
2. A tasting as the main event
A tasting gives people something to talk about without any effort, because everyone has an opinion. The Wine Casino pairs a blind tasting with a casino-style betting night (8 to 20 guests, two hours). For bigger groups, sparkling wine with gourmet croquettes serves up to 30. And if your team likes whisky, there is a one-hour private tasting of three whiskies, easy to slot in before dinner.
3. A themed table
When the menu tells a story, the dinner stops feeling like an obligation. The Mexican tasting menu with craft mezcal takes 4 to 30 guests and runs for three hours. The Japanese omakase dinner with sake pairing follows the same logic: a ten-step tasting menu with three sakes, for groups of up to 30.
4. A walk with cocktails
For teams that spend the day sitting down, walking changes the pace. The secret Gothic Quarter walk tours the old town with a guide and ends with a cocktail in El Born (2 to 15 guests, three hours). For a larger group, the architecture sunset enters a UNESCO-listed building after it closes to the public, with a technical tour and cocktails in the gardens (10 to 40 guests, an hour and a half).
5. A wellness session to close the year
December arrives with a tired team. An hour of professional soundbath (10 to 30 guests) or a yin, sound and journaling session works on its own or as the opening act before dinner. It involves no alcohol.
6. A team workshop for large groups
If there are more than 30 of you, Human Synergy is a two-hour workshop on trust and communication, with room for 100 people. It works as a year-end closing session before a shorter lunch or dinner.
The classic dinner still makes sense when the aim is to bring many people to one table, with a speech and a toast. These alternatives fit better when you want conversation in small groups, or when part of the team prefers not to drink or not to stay late.
Quick comparison
| Format | Guests | Duration | Best if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private chef dinner | 10 to 24 | 3 h | You want a classic dinner, but an intimate one |
| Tasting (Wine Casino) | 8 to 20 | 2 h | You want conversation and a little play |
| Themed table (mezcal or sake) | 4 to 30 | 3 h | You prefer a menu with a story |
| Walk with cocktails | 2 to 15 or 10 to 40 | 1.5 to 3 h | Your team sits down for most of the week |
| Wellness session | 10 to 30 | 1 h | You want a calm close to the year, without alcohol |
| Team workshop | 10 to 100 | 2 h | You are a large group and want a shared goal |
Guest numbers and durations come from each experience listing; check them against your actual date before deciding.
How to choose by team profile
- Young or newly formed team. Look for something with play, such as the Wine Casino, or movement, such as a walk with cocktails.
- Leadership team or clients. A chef dinner or a themed table gives a calm setting for conversation.
- International team. Choose a format with a common thread, such as a tasting or a themed menu, that gives people something to talk about across languages.
- A team that has had a hard year. A wellness session or a trust workshop recognises the effort without demanding extra energy.
How to combine two formats in one evening
A pairing that works well is something short with something long: a one-hour wellness session before dinner, or a whisky tasting before heading to a restaurant. The team settles down before sitting at the table, and dinner starts with more conversation. If you need a specific combination, describe it in the tailor your event form.
To work out costs and dates, read our guide to the company Christmas dinner budget and timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What if part of the team does not drink alcohol?
Pick a format where alcohol is not the centrepiece: a walk, a wellness session or a workshop. If you prefer a dinner or a tasting, ask the proposal to include an alcohol-free option for those guests.
Can it happen during working hours?
Yes. One- or two-hour experiences, such as the soundbath or a tasting, fit into a morning or an afternoon. You can also pair a short session with a team lunch.
What is the minimum group size?
It depends on the experience: some start at 2 or 4 guests and others at 10 or 20. Each listing shows its range, and if your group falls outside it, ask us for a tailored proposal.
Tell us about your team
Give us a date, a headcount and the atmosphere you want, and we will suggest a specific format within 24 hours. Use the tailor your event form to start. If you are after a classic Christmas dinner, the terms are on the Christmas 2026 page.
Ektimo Events Team
Event Planning Specialists
Contributing writer at Ektimo Events, sharing insights on venues, event planning and team experiences.