Celebrating cultural festivals at work: a year-round guide
Marking cultural festivals at work is one of the simplest ways to show a team that every culture in the room matters. Done well, it is not a poster in the kitchen. It is food, making and stories shared around the festival itself.
Lunar New Year (January or February)
The date moves each year, falling in January or February. Dumpling making is the classic team activity, and Chinese lantern making or calligraphy suit teams who would rather craft.
Eid al-Fitr (date moves each year)
Eid follows the Islamic calendar, so it lands in a different season every few years. It is a natural moment to bring the team together over food: our chefs can cater a celebration meal, and a ma'amoul session lets everyone make the filled cookies traditionally shared at Eid.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September or October)
Mid-Autumn Festival centres on mooncakes, and a mooncake making workshop lets the team make their own together.
Diwali (October or November)
Rangoli sessions let the team create the bright patterns that decorate doorways for the festival, and an Indian barfi or chai workshop covers the sweets and spiced tea.
Halloween (31 October)
One for every team: pumpkin carving, egg box ghost portraits, SFX makeup or Halloween cocktails.
Christmas
The busiest time of the year for workplace celebrations. Wreath making, gingerbread houses, woodblock printed cards and lino printed stockings all work as party activities, and Christmas catering covers everything from hot buffets to canapés. See our seasonal workshops for the current list.
Between festivals
A seasonal menu or a summer team social keeps the rhythm going between the big dates, from a Caribbean jerk seasoning workshop to team lunches travelling through Greek, Thai, Indian and Korean menus.
How to plan it
Festival dates move each year for Lunar New Year, Eid and Diwali, so check the exact dates for the year you are planning, and book a few weeks ahead so the people leading your session can prepare. Sessions are hosted at your office or venue rather than a studio, and the format and space needed are confirmed with you before booking. Catering can be added to any celebration. Tell us your date, group size and venue and we will come back with ideas.
