82% of employees plan to attend holiday events this year to build connections with coworkers

With employee attendance and budgets trending up, the workplace holiday party is back according to the second annual 2025 Workplace Holiday Party Trends Report released today by ezCater, the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US. The report reveals that 82% of employees plan to attend their company's holiday celebration this year—a meaningful uptick from 70% attendance reported last year. To support this growing enthusiasm, more than half of businesses (51%) are increasing their party budgets.

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ezCater, the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US, reveals what's in store for the 2025 office holiday party season in its latest report.

“The workplace holiday party is critical for strengthening team connection and morale, especially for hybrid and remote teams,” said Robert Kaskel, VP of People, ezCater. “In an increasingly disconnected world, companies should maximize these festive opportunities, because ultimately, stronger connections result in higher job satisfaction, productivity, and retention.”

ezCater’s report is based on a national survey of over 1,000 full-time employees and over 600 workplace party planners, and uncovers evolving attitudes toward workplace holiday parties and plans for the 2025 office holiday party season. Key findings include:

• Holiday parties are a critical tool for team bonding: 80% of employees say these events are more important than ever for building team connections given today’s hybrid and remote work models. 83% confirm that holiday celebrations help them bond with coworkers.
• Food is the secret to a successful party: An overwhelming 93% of planners agree that food is the top driver of social interaction at holiday events. 77% of employees say it’s what they look forward to most, and 50% report that food and drinks directly influence their decision to attend.
• Employees want a casual celebration, during working hours: 62% of employees prefer a casual dress code, and 53% want the event held during the workday.
• Gen Z feels the most social jitters: Planners should prioritize creating a comfortable environment for their youngest employees, who are 42% more likely than other generations to feel stressed about attending a work holiday party. They are also 60% more likely to worry about standing alone, and 15% more likely to be concerned about finding food they will enjoy.

Nine out of 10 planners say holiday party planning is stressful. ezCater helps companies host memorable celebrations that are easy to manage. ezCater’s platform enables organizations to order food from over 100,000 restaurants nationwide, accommodate multiple office locations, and support celebrations of any size or format. To place an order or learn more about how ezCater can make your holiday party catering easier, visit www.ezcater.com.

The full findings from ezCater's second annual Holiday Workplace Party Trends Report can be found here.

Methodology

In June of 2025, ezCater surveyed 1,002 full-time employees and 603 decision-makers nationwide who are involved in the planning process to understand their feelings about workplace holiday parties and gauge their plans for the 2025 office holiday party season.

About ezCater

ezCater is the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US. The company makes it easy for any organization to manage its food needs and order from over 100,000 restaurants nationwide. For workplaces, ezCater provides flexible and scalable solutions for everything from recurring employee meals to one-off meetings, all backed by beyond helpful 24/7 service and business-grade reliability. For restaurant partners, ezCater helps grow their business by bringing them more orders and new high-value customers. To learn more, visit www.ezcater.com.

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“The workplace holiday party is critical for strengthening team connection and morale, especially for hybrid and remote teams."