35 Party Theme Ideas for 2025
Planning a party can be a thrilling experience, but finding the perfect theme often sets the stage for a memorable celebration.
In this article I’ll share 35 creative party theme ideas that cater to every kind of gathering, from birthday celebrations to seasonal festivities.
Let’s dive in!
35 Party Theme Ideas
1. Masquerade Ball
A Masquerade Ball is an elegant event where guests wear formal attire and decorative masks, creating an air of mystery and sophistication.
To host a masquerade ball, you should send out ornate invitations specifying the dress code, including masks.
Decorate the venue with rich colors, like deep reds, purples, and golds, using fabrics, candles, and chandeliers to create an opulent atmosphere.
Hire a live band or DJ to play classical or jazz music, and provide a dance floor for waltzing. Offer a mix of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and consider having a mask contest.
2. 80s Retro Party
Set the scene with bright neon decorations, including banners, balloons, and tablecloths. Encourage guests to dress in 80s fashion, like leg warmers, big hair, and shoulder pads.
Create a playlist of 80s hits and set up a dance floor with a disco ball. Consider renting or borrowing old arcade games like Pac-Man or Space Invaders to add to the fun.
You can provide 80s-themed snacks, such as Pop Rocks, Jell-O molds, and cocktail sausages.
3. Hollywood Glamour
You should invite guests with VIP-style invitations and encourage them to dress in their finest attire. Roll out a red carpet at the entrance and set up a photo backdrop with a paparazzi cutout for fun photo ops.
Decorate with gold and black accents, star-shaped balloons, and glittering table settings. Play classic Hollywood movies or film scores in the background.
Serve elegant hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and signature cocktails. Host an awards ceremony with fun categories and give out small trophies to winners.
4. Black and White Ball
Send out chic invitations specifying the monochrome dress code. Decorate the venue with black and white tablecloths, balloons, and centerpieces, using candles and fairy lights for added ambiance.
Hire a live jazz band or a DJ to play soft music. Serve a menu that fits the theme, such as black and white cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and champagne.
5. Tropical Resort
Send out colorful invitations encouraging guests to wear tropical attire like Hawaiian shirts and sundresses.
Decorate with palm leaves, tiki torches, and colorful flowers. Set up a tiki bar serving piña coladas, mai tais, and tropical fruit smoothies.
Provide a variety of tropical snacks like pineapple skewers, coconut shrimp, and mini fish tacos. Play beach music and consider having a limbo contest or hula dancing competition.
6. Casino Night
Send out invitations with a casino theme, encouraging guests to dress in semi-formal or glamorous attire.
Rent or set up tables for games like blackjack, poker, and roulette, providing play money for guests to use.
Decorate with red, black, and gold colors, and add elements like dice, playing cards, and casino chips.
Serve cocktails and finger foods like sliders, shrimp cocktail, and mini quiches. Consider hiring a professional dealer to add authenticity.
7. Superhero Party
Send out invitations featuring popular superheroes, and encourage guests to dress as their favorite heroes or villains. Decorate the venue with superhero posters, comic book covers, and themed tableware.
Set up a photo booth with superhero props and backdrops. Plan activities like a costume contest, superhero trivia, and a scavenger hunt.
Serve themed snacks like “Kryptonite” Jell-O, “Hulk” punch, and “Thor’s” hammer cookies.
8. Circus
Send out colorful invitations with circus imagery and encourage guests to dress as clowns, acrobats, or ringmasters. Decorate with red and white stripes, balloons, and circus posters.
Set up stations for classic circus games like ring toss, bean bag throw, and face painting. Hire a performer or have friends act as jugglers, magicians, and clowns.
9. Toga Party
You should send out invitations with Roman motifs and instruct guests to wear togas made from sheets or fabric. Decorate with ivy garlands, columns, and Roman statues.
Play classical or Roman-themed music in the background. Set up a long dining table with plenty of grapes, cheese, olives, bread, and wine.
Organize games like a chariot race (using chairs) or a toga contest. This theme provides a relaxed and festive environment.
10. Book Theme
To make this, send out invitations featuring book covers or literary quotes, and ask guests to come dressed as their favorite book characters.
Decorate with stacks of books, vintage typewriters, and cozy reading nooks. Set up a mini library where guests can borrow or exchange books.
Plan activities like a book trivia quiz, storytelling sessions, or a “guess the quote” game. Serve themed snacks and drinks inspired by famous books.
11. Around the World
You can decorate each area with flags, memorabilia, and cultural artifacts specific to each country. Serve traditional dishes from each region, such as sushi for Japan, tacos for Mexico, and croissants for France.
You can also incorporate music and activities unique to each culture, such as a piñata for Mexico or a tea ceremony for Japan.
12. Milkshake Bar
You should provide a variety of ice cream flavors, syrups, toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, and fruits. You can use a simple blender or a professional milkshake machine to mix the ingredients.
Decorate the bar with colorful straws, mason jars, and retro diner signage to enhance the theme.
This interactive setup is sure to be a hit, offering both kids and adults a deliciously fun experience as they mix and match to create their perfect milkshake.
13. Game Show
To make this theme, you should set up stations where guests can participate in games like Jeopardy, Family Feud, or The Price is Right.
Use buzzers, game boards, and scorecards to replicate the authentic experience. Prepare a range of questions and challenges suitable for your guests’ age group and interests.
Offer small prizes for winners to add an element of competition. This theme entertains and engages guests in a fun and interactive way.
14. Race Day
Encourage guests to dress in race day attire, such as fancy hats for a horse race or racing suits for a car race. Set up viewing areas with big screens to watch live races or play recorded ones.
Offer race-themed snacks and drinks, like mint juleps for the Kentucky Derby. You can also organize fun races for kids or adults, using hobby horses or remote-controlled cars.
15. Cinco de Mayo
Decorate with colorful papel picado banners, piñatas, and sombreros. Serve authentic Mexican food such as tacos, guacamole, and churros, along with margaritas and horchata.
Play mariachi music or hire a band to enhance the festive vibe. Include activities like salsa dancing or a piñata for added fun.
This theme is perfect for celebrating Mexican heritage and provides a lively, enjoyable experience for all guests.
16. French Theme
Decorate with Eiffel Tower replicas, French flags, and chic table settings with lace and candles.
Serve French cuisine, such as croissants, cheese platters, and crepes, along with French wine and champagne.
Play soft French music in the background to set the mood. You can also set up a photo booth with Parisian props like berets and baguettes.
17. Christmas in July
Decorate with Christmas lights, a tree, and festive ornaments. Play holiday music and have a gift exchange to enhance the holiday feel.
Serve traditional Christmas foods like roast turkey, gingerbread cookies, and eggnog. You can also organize a Secret Santa gift exchange or a fun Christmas-themed game
18. Literary Characters
Decorate with book-themed props, such as stacks of books, typewriters, and vintage lamps. Serve foods inspired by famous books, like Turkish delight from “The Chronicles of Narnia” or treacle tart from “Harry Potter.”
Organize activities like a book trivia quiz or a reading corner where guests can share excerpts from their favorite novels.
This theme celebrates literature and allows guests to express their love for their favorite stories and characters.
19. Chinese New Year
You can decorate with red lanterns, dragons, and Chinese zodiac symbols. Serve Chinese dishes like dumplings, spring rolls, and fortune cookies.
Include cultural activities such as a lion dance performance, calligraphy station, or a tea ceremony.
Provide guests with red envelopes containing small gifts or money, a traditional Chinese New Year practice.
20. Karaoke Party
You should provide a wide selection of songs to cater to different tastes, from classic hits to the latest chart-toppers. Decorate with disco balls, stage lights, and a mock stage to create a concert-like atmosphere.
Offer snacks and drinks to keep the energy high. You can also organize friendly singing competitions and award small prizes to the best performances.
21. Rock-n-Roll
Transform your space with music memorabilia like posters of legendary rock bands, vinyl records, and musical instruments. Set the mood with classic rock hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s blasting from your speakers.
Encourage guests to dress as their favorite rock stars, complete with leather jackets, band tees, and wild hairdos.
Provide a stage area with a microphone and instruments for guests to unleash their inner rock stars.
22. Sushi Train
You should set up a long table with a conveyor belt or simply pass around trays of sushi. Provide all the ingredients for guests to make their own sushi rolls, including nori sheets, sushi rice, fresh fish, and a variety of vegetables.
You can hire a sushi chef for a live demonstration or use online tutorials to guide your guests. Don’t forget soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger on the side.
23. Geisha
Decorate your space with traditional Japanese elements like paper lanterns, cherry blossoms, and bamboo. Set up a tea ceremony area where guests can experience the art of Japanese tea making.
Provide kimonos or yukatas for guests to wear and create a photo booth with traditional props. Arrange for a sushi or bento box station for authentic Japanese cuisine.
24. Comic Books
Decorate with posters and cutouts of famous comic book characters, and set up a comic book reading corner with a collection of classic comics.
Encourage guests to dress as their favorite superheroes or villains, and host a costume contest with fun prizes.
Create activity stations with superhero crafts, face painting, and a photo booth with comic book-style props.
Serve snacks themed around comic book characters, like Spiderman cupcakes or Hulk punch.
25. Star Wars
You should decorate with spaceships, planets, and iconic Star Wars characters. Set up stations for Jedi training, where guests can practice lightsaber duels with toy lightsabers.
Offer a variety of Star Wars-themed snacks and drinks, such as Wookiee cookies, blue milk, and Yoda soda.
Create a photo booth with Star Wars backdrops and props for memorable pictures. Play the Star Wars soundtrack to complete the experience.
26. Bridgerton
Host an afternoon tea party with fine china, finger sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream and jam. Encourage guests to dress in Regency-style attire, complete with gloves and tiaras.
Play classical music or the Bridgerton soundtrack in the background. Set up a photo area with a grand backdrop and vintage props.
27. Friends
You can decorate with quotes and references from the show, such as “Pivot!” and “We were on a break!” Use yellow and purple balloons, streamers, and posters.
Serve food inspired by the characters, like Joey’s meatball subs, Monica’s lasagna, and Rachel’s trifle.
Set up a Central Perk coffee station with a variety of coffee and pastries. Play episodes of Friends in the background and organize a trivia game to test guests’ knowledge of the show.
28. Euphoria
You should decorate with LED lights, black lights, and plenty of sparkly decor. Encourage guests to wear outfits with sequins, glitter, and neon colors.
Set up a makeup station with glitter and face gems for guests to create bold Euphoria-inspired looks.
Play a playlist of music from the show to set the mood. Provide a photo booth with props like disco balls and neon signs.
29. Stranger Things
Decorate with Christmas lights, retro 80s decor, and references to the Upside Down. Play 80s music and set up a TV to show episodes or clips from the series.
Serve themed snacks like Eggo waffles, Demogorgon cupcakes, and Hawkins lab punch. Encourage guests to dress as their favorite characters from the show.
Set up a photo booth with props like bicycles and Christmas lights. This theme will immerse your guests in the supernatural world of Stranger Things.
30. The Office
To set up an office themed party, you can decorate with office supplies like Post-It notes, paper clips, and staplers in Jello molds.
Set up a table with snacks inspired by the show, such as pretzels, M&Ms, and beet salad. Play episodes of The Office in the background and organize a trivia game or “Dundie” awards ceremony.
Encourage guests to dress as their favorite characters and make plenty of “That’s what she said” jokes throughout the night.
31. Grease
Guests can dress as their favorite characters from the movie, wearing poodle skirts, leather jackets, and greased-back hair.
Decorate the space with checkered tablecloths, vinyl records, and classic car cutouts. Play the movie soundtrack in the background and set up a dance floor for some rockabilly fun.
32. Westworld
Transform your party space into a scene from Westworld with rustic decorations, hay bales, and saloon-style bars.
Encourage guests to wear cowboy hats, boots, and western attire. Set up activities like a mechanical bull ride, horseshoe toss, and shooting gallery with toy guns.
Use props like wanted posters, sheriff badges, and bandanas to enhance the theme. Serve hearty BBQ dishes, cornbread, and sarsaparilla to give your guests a true taste of the wild west.
33. Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones party transports guests to the medieval world of Westeros with banners of the different houses, faux fur throws, and candlelit tables.
Guests can come dressed as their favorite characters, from knights and queens to dragons and White Walkers.
Set up a grand feast with roasted meats, hearty stews, and medieval-style breads. Incorporate medieval games and activities like archery contests and jousting (with pool noodles).
34. The Walking Dead
For a Walking Dead-themed party, decorate your venue to look like a post-apocalyptic world with distressed materials, makeshift barricades, and eerie lighting. Guests can dress as zombies or survivors, with makeup and costumes to match.
Set up zombie-themed activities such as a scavenger hunt for survival supplies, zombie tag, and a “safe zone” photo booth.
35. Glow in the Dark
You should decorate the space with black lights, neon streamers, and glow-in-the-dark paint. Provide guests with glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets upon arrival.
Encourage guests to wear white or neon clothing that will shine under the black lights. Set up a dance floor with EDM music and glow-in-the-dark face paint stations.
Serve neon-colored drinks and snacks to match the glowing theme, ensuring your party is a vibrant and electrifying experience.
