New York event planning is hard enough when there’s one experience to produce. But when you go hybrid, you’re essentially planning two event experiences at once. And it can be tough to come up with a great wow factor to entertain both in-person and online guests.
The right event entertainment can transform your event from just “meh” to memorable at every level. In 2025, it’s all about fresh ideas and creative experiences that grab people’s attention. No matter where or how your guests attend, they’ll want to be impressed with high energy entertainment that’s engaging and fun. Let’s check out some top entertainment ideas that’ll make your event one to remember.
1. Interactive Virtual Games
Entertain both audiences with interactive games that can go virtual. It’s a great way to shake things up and get people engaged and involved wherever they’re joining from. Games are already ideal for collaboration and healthy competition. But you can also use them to bring both groups together, inspire a few laughs, and break the ice. Plus, they’re super flexible, perfect for remote teams or hybrid setups with folks joining from different locations.
2. Trivia Challenges
Host custom trivia games with your specific audience in mind. Use themes like pop culture, industry trends, or inside jokes from your company. Platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz let you create a leaderboard, making it easy to spark friendly competition. Trivia suits corporate events, team-building, and even client mixers perfectly.
3. Online Escape Rooms
Bring teams together with virtual escape rooms. Solve puzzles, uncover clues, and collaborate to "escape" before time runs out. Companies like The Escape Game or Puzzle Break offer immersive, themed options. They are perfect for encouraging teamwork for groups across the globe or in mixed in-person settings.
4. Bingo and Puzzle Games
Reimagine classic games like bingo or jigsaw puzzles with a virtual twist. Use tools like Bingo Maker or Sporcle to create branded or event-specific content. For added excitement, offer prizes for winners or fastest solvers to keep participation levels high. These games are perfect icebreakers and great for light-hearted entertainment.
Find all your event entertainment inspiration this October at NYC's hottest conference for the events industry, The Event Planner Expo 2025.
5. Live Music Performances
Live music is always a win, online and in-person. It creates an energetic atmosphere and gets toes tapping. Of course, your remote guests aren’t going to join the fun on the dance floor. But they’ll appreciate a live performance. Live music bridges the physical and digital divide, turning passive watching into active engagement for everyone involved.
6. Virtual Concerts
Stream live performances from top artists or emerging bands straight to your guests. Platforms like StageIt or Mandolin let artists connect with viewers worldwide, creating an intimate live music experience. Keep it fun and interactive with live chats, shoutouts, and song requests. Want to level it up? Add behind-the-scenes access or quick artist interviews to make it extra special.
7. Acoustic Sessions with Q&A
Set the mood with a laid-back acoustic set—just the artist, their instrument, and a chill vibe. After the music, open it up for a live Q&A. Let guests ask about the artist’s process, inspiration, or anything else they’re curious about. Tools like Zoom or Airmeet make it easy. It’s simple, personal, and perfect for both virtual and hybrid events.
8. Celebrity Appearances & Hosts
Incorporating celebrity appearances and hosts can elevate your virtual or hybrid event to an unforgettable experience. By featuring well-known personalities, you create excitement for deeper engagement among attendees.
9. Personalized Cameo Appearances
Invite celebrities to record personalized video messages for your event. Platforms like Cameo make this accessible, giving you the option to secure shoutouts from actors, athletes, or influencers. Tailor these messages to resonate with your audience, whether it's a warm welcome, an inspirational speech, or event-specific greetings. For example, a popular comedian could deliver a quick, humorous skit that ties into your event's theme. These appearances are perfect for key event moments like openings, closings, or milestone announcements. They provide a unique touch that attendees won’t forget, creating memorable takeaways.
10. Celebrity Virtual Hosts
Bring in a celebrity to host your event’s live or pre-recorded segments. A well-known figure can boost attendance and add credibility to corporate conferences, product launches, or charity fundraisers. They can guide attendees through the schedule, interact with virtual audiences via live Q&A, and introduce speakers or sessions.
For example, having a TV personality or beloved sports anchor as a host could set an engaging tone while maintaining professionalism. Their presence ensures a polished experience while captivating attendees through relatable and dynamic energy.
11. Comedy Shows and Improv Acts
If you want to inject humor and energy into your hybrid or virtual event, comedy shows and improv acts are a surefire way to engage attendees. These performances bring laughter, lighten the mood, and create a memorable shared experience for audiences.
12. Stand-Up Comedy Sessions
Every group of event attendees will love to have a good laugh. A live stand-up, in-person or streamed comedy set can instantly lift the mood and get people talking. Consider a comedian who knows how to work a corporate crowd or keep it chill for a more casual vibe. Many pros specialize in virtual shows and know how to read the room, even if it’s on Zoom.
13. Interactive Improv Performances
Think of this as comedy with a choose-your-own-adventure twist. Improv performers take live suggestions from your audience and run wild with them, creating completely unscripted moments that’ll have everyone cracking up. Groups like The Second City or even your local improv crew are pros at making virtual and hybrid shows feel totally interactive. For a fun spin, split your guests into teams (virtual vs in-person, maybe?) and let the games really begin.
14. Virtual Reality Activities
If you want to wow your guests with something high-tech and unforgettable, VR is where it’s at. VR lets attendees step into new worlds without leaving their seats with immersive games and jaw-dropping visuals.. It's a guaranteed attention-grabber that’ll leave everyone talking.
15. VR Tours and Experiences
Why settle for a slideshow when your guests can do something like walk through the Great Wall of China or dive into a fantasy world straight out of a video game? VR tours bring iconic places and creative spaces worldwide to life. Platforms like Oculus and HTC Vive can deliver high-quality visuals to every experience. Plus, you can even brand the experience to match your event’s theme. It’s part travel, part entertainment, all in one space.
16. VR Team-Building Challenges
Team-building just got a major upgrade. With VR challenges, your crew can solve puzzles, escape digital rooms, or tackle missions together in virtual worlds. It’s collaborative, competitive, and way more exciting than your average icebreaker. Tools like Engage VR or VRChat make connecting remote and in-person players easy in real time, so everyone’s included—no matter where they’re logging in from.
17. Customizable Magic Shows
There’s something timeless about a good magic show. But now, it comes with a twist. Virtual and hybrid-friendly magicians can tailor tricks to suit your event’s theme, message, or even shout out your VIP guests. It’s a super cool way to add surprise and delight, and yes, grown-ups are just as wowed as kids.
18. Interactive Magic Performances
Magic gets even more fun when the audience becomes part of the act. Imagine your event guests picking a card, naming an object, or solving a riddle, only to have it magically show up in the magician’s routine. These shows break the screen barrier and make it feel like the magic is happening right in your hands.
19. Mind-Reading and Illusion Acts
Consider bringing in serious wow factor with a mentalist or illusionist at your next NYC event. These performers specialize in awe-inspiring moments, like predicting someone’s thinking or pulling off illusions that make everyone double-take. Personalize the show by working in attendee names or company themes. It will feel like the magic was made just for them.
20. Wellness and Mindfulness Sessions
Sometimes, the best thing you can offer at a busy event is a chance to slow down. Wellness sessions are a thoughtful way to help attendees reset, refocus, and feel their best. It’s especially helpful if your event has an action-packed agenda.
21. Virtual Yoga Classes
Start the day with a light stretch or end it with a peaceful moment. Bring in certified instructors for live sessions that suit all levels. Want to make it memorable? Send out mini wellness kits with yoga mats or essential oils for at-home guests. It’s a great way to help everyone recharge and stay focused.
22. Virtual Cooking Classes
There’s something pretty special about people cooking together—even if they do it from different kitchens. Virtual cooking classes are fun. And they’re a hands-on way to connect with your guests while serving up something delicious. Team up with a pro chef to guide the group through a recipe, whether it’s hand-rolled sushi, homemade pasta, or a comfort-food classic. Consider sending out ingredient kits ahead of time so no one’s scrambling for ingredients in the middle of the class. Guests can ask questions in real time, share how their dish turns out, and maybe even show off their creations at the end. It’s cozy, interactive, and a real crowd-pleaser.
23. Online Wine and Cheese Tasting
If you’re going for classy and chill, a virtual wine and cheese tasting hits the mark. Ship out curated tasting kits with a few standout wines and cheeses. Think small-batch, not supermarket stuff. And really take it up a notch by bringing in a sommelier or cheese expert to guide everyone through the pairings. You’ll have sipping and snacking. And your host can share cool tidbits about where everything comes from, how to taste like a pro, and what flavors to look out for. Get guests to share their thoughts in the chat or small groups—some will get nerdy about tannins, others will just be thrilled they found a cheese they actually like. Either way, it’s relaxed, social, and feels like a treat.
24. Inspiration with Keynote Speakers
Everyone loves a good inspirational stage speaker. There’s a reason why TedX Talks are so popular. And some of the leading voices in the inspirational space are always open to keynote or headline an event. As an event pro, these are great entertainment elements for both in-person and virtual events, too. Find speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge, relating to your event theme, captivating both present and virtual guests.
25. Motivational Talks
Book professional motivational speakers to your hybrid or virtual events. Much like inspirational keynotes, these pros are powerful storytellers. Their unique approach to motivation, however, is downright impressive in corporate team-building events and conferences. These speakers often come from diverse backgrounds, like entrepreneurship, sports, or the arts, and share how they overcame challenges to achieve greatness. Examples include discussing strategies for growth, fostering resilience, or achieving work-life balance.
26. Industry Expert Insights
Bring in big voices from your industry to share real talk and fresh ideas. Whether it’s trend forecasts, smart tools, or success stories, these pros keep your audience learning and inspired. Think a tech leader breaking down future innovations or a marketing guru spilling ad secrets. Add a live Q&A or panel to keep things interactive and actionable.
27. Behind-The-Scenes Access
Let your guests peek behind the curtain. Share exclusive content—like setup tours, speaker prep, or green room moments—to make them feel like insiders. It’s a simple way to boost engagement and give your event that VIP edge.
28. Virtual Venue Tours
Take your audience behind the curtain with virtual tours of event venues. Use 360-degree video to showcase stunning spaces, from grand ballrooms to tech-savvy control rooms. Pair the tour with live narration for an interactive experience, where attendees can ask questions about the event's production. For hybrid events, let in-person guests explore these areas via guided walk-throughs while streaming the tour to remote participants.
29. Exclusive Sneak Peeks and Q&A
Give your audience an exclusive look at what’s happening before the big event kicks off, like a backstage tour, a peek at rehearsals, or a quick chat with a keynote speaker. This adds a fun layer of excitement for every event guest. It makes them feel like insiders, not just attendees. Pair that with a live Q&A, and now you’ve got something personal. Let people submit their questions ahead of time on social or right in the event app—bonus points if you give shoutouts when reading them live. It’s a simple way to keep things interactive and make everyone feel like they’re part of the action, whether tuning in from a laptop or sitting in the front row.
Take Your Virtual & Hybrid Event Entertainment to New Levels with Ideas You Learn at The Expo
If you want your virtual or hybrid event to stand out in 2025, it’s all about mixing creativity with connection. When you think outside the usual event box, you create moments that actually stick with people. The key to success is to make it feel personal, interactive, and a little unexpected. That’s what keeps guests talking long after the event wraps. So don’t be afraid to experiment, take risks, and most importantly, have fun with it. The more your event feels like an experience (not just another Zoom call), the more your audience will love it—and remember it.
Find all your event entertainment inspiration this October at NYC's hottest conference for the events industry, The Event Planner Expo 2025. Reserve your exhibitor spot while you still can!