corporate holiday parties in Sorrento Valley.
A corporate holiday party with carnival entertainment swaps the banquet hall for a midway of striped booths, games, concessions, music and entertainers. My Little Carnival provides the carnival, and the company arranges the rest. Corporate holiday parties in Sorrento Valley are a natural fit for an office campus lot, because the valley is a place people work, and the lot is already where the whole staff parks.
The surrounding land, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, Lopez Canyon Open Space and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, is for walking, and the party belongs on a lot. An office campus lot, a loading-dock apron the company controls or a company yard can each take a layout of booths, with the preserve acting as the view.
My Little Carnival sizes the party to the headcount and leaves catering, tables and seating to the host.
A company holiday party in Sorrento Valley.
A lunchtime party can start at noon and finish by mid-afternoon: staff wander out of the building, play a few games, take a Santa photo, grab a snow cone and go back inside, or stay. A late-afternoon version runs past dark, when the string lights come on across the booth tops. Either one is built from striped booths with prizes, and a DJ or sound system sets the pace. The holiday look comes from the red-and-white and green-and-white booths, the candy-cane signage on the games and the balloon arch at the entry, so the lot reads as a party from the street.
The company picks the extras. Walk-around magicians fit a lot where people drift between booths, a caricature artist can hold a table by the Santa station, and balloon artists and face painters suit a family-invited event. An adults-only version can drop the inflatables and keep the games, the music and the concessions. A staff party with children can add a jumper or an interactive inflatable on the part of the lot with the most open ground, and the Santa station gives the kids a reason to line up.
What's typically included.
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Game booths.
Striped 10x10 booths with traditional and large-scale games, each with prizes.
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Seven concessions.
Snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, churros, pretzels, nachos and caramel apples.
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DJ or sound system.
Music and announcements for the length of the party.
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Entertainers.
Walk-around magicians, caricature artists, balloon artists, face painters, jugglers and stilt walkers, chosen from the list.
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Santa station.
Santa and Mrs. Claus for staff with kids, with phones or the photographer for pictures.
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Inflatables.
Jumpers and interactive units if families are invited and the lot has room.
Typical timeline for corporate holiday parties in Sorrento Valley.
- 1
Twelve weeks out
The events team chooses the lot, a date and who is invited, and sends the headcount to My Little Carnival.
- 2
Six weeks out
Booths, music and entertainers are chosen and the 50% deposit holds the date.
- 3
Week before
The property manager confirms the load-in route and power, and My Little Carnival provides the certificate of insurance.
- 4
Party day
Crew builds the midway, the party runs its window, and the lot is returned clean.
Specifics for Sorrento Valley.
- Headcount and cost: A party of about 100 to 150 costs $4,000 to $10,000. From 200 to 400 people the range is $10,000 to $25,000, and a larger company spends $25,000 to $40,000 or more.
- Lot approval: A campus lot belongs to a landlord or property manager, who will want the load-in time and the insurance certificate. The host collects that approval.
- Parking: Closing part of a lot to cars takes planning. The host decides which spaces to give up and where guests park, and a layout with booths along one edge keeps the number of lost spaces small. My Little Carnival can sketch two or three layouts from a photo of the lot.
- Catering and drinks: The host arranges catering, drinks of any kind, tables and chairs.
- Heating and tents: Cool air in the evening is the host's to plan for, along with any tent beyond our booths.
- Power: My Little Carnival can run a generator for our own equipment when the lot's power falls short.
Common questions.
Can the party be held in our own parking lot?
Yes, if the property owner agrees. The booths need flat ground and a clear route for the crew to load in.
Is a 50% deposit required?
Yes. A 50% deposit holds the date.
Can it be an after-work party for adults?
Yes. Booths, games with prizes, music and concessions work without inflatables or the Santa station.
Do you bring food?
Only the seven concessions. Meals, drinks and tables are the host's to arrange.
Can a Santa station be added for staff families?
Yes. My Little Carnival provides Santa and Mrs. Claus.
What does it cost for 300 employees?
A party for 200 to 400 people costs about $10,000 to $25,000, depending on booth count and entertainers.
About this guide.
This local guide to corporate holiday parties in Sorrento Valley was compiled by My Little Carnival, the San Diego County operation of My Little Carnival, producers of holiday events, school carnivals, and backyard birthdays across the region.
Helpful local references: San Diego Unified School District · City of San Diego Parks & Recreation
Corporate Holiday Parties in nearby cities.
Planning a company holiday party in Sorrento Valley?
Tell My Little Carnival your headcount and whether families are invited, and we will quote the booths, music and entertainers for your lot.
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