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There’s no question that a good theme can take a party from average to wildly creative, fun and jaw-dropping (if you’re handy with decorations). One of the hardest parts about planning a party, though, is coming up with the perfect theme in the first place—which is why we turned to the experts. StyleCaster asked party planners to give us their best theme party ideas, so all you have to focus on is actually throwing the perfect bash.
From tips on how to turn classic theme parties (like James Bond) into truly memorable displays, to some truly creative theme ideas (like a ‘Come as your favorite SNL character’ theme), you’re sure to find the most epic theme for your next party. Below are 51 different theme party ideas guaranteed to make any soiree the talk of the town.
Ven’s Paperie.
1. Pop Art
Party Planner: Carrie Baker of Carrie Baker Events
“I did a Pop Art themed baby shower and we used tons of Campbell’s soup cans for flowers,” says Baker.
Jessica Bordner Photography/The Bash.
2. Flamingo Luau
Party Planner: The Bash
Pinterest.
3. Arabian Nights
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
A Kailo Chic Life.
4. 1980s
Party Planner: Lynne Goldberg
To make the theme extra fun, Goldberg suggests: “Send an invitation that includes a pair of shoulder pads with the invitation and tell them they must wear them to the party.”
Chambre 237.
5. Burning Man Meets Coachella
Party Planner: Brian Worley of B. Worley Productions
“It has a very carefree, relaxed decor vibe, and with these two events getting so much coverage these days through social media and just how creative they are in terms of visuals, it can really be a fun event,” says Worley.
6. Barbie’s Dream House
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
7. Superheroes
Party Planner: Lucy Harris of Hello Baby Bump
Harris suggests: “Use theme songs of villains and heroes as music. Food could be cookies in the shapes of insignias, the colors that are common with superheroes, etc.”
Lauren Elle Photography.
8. Couture Balloons
Party Planner: Richard O’Malley of The How Behind the WOW!
“We have all see the clown make a balloon animal and helium filled orbs drop from the ceiling, but here I am talking about balloons as couture fashion. Make your arrival in one of these and Instagram just might crash,” says O’Malley
9. Bubbles in Boca (Boca Retirement Theme)
Party Planner: Molly Sinsheimer
Have everyone dress up as individuals who retired in Boca. According to one of the attendees of this party, “People dyed their hair silver, bought fake dentures, wore bright colors, glasses on chains, etc. The decor had homemade palm trees, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, pool floats…with a creative spin on AARP advertisements posted on the walls…” Sinsheimer even filled empty pill bottles with tequila shots and told everyone to “take their meds.”
10. Game of Thrones
Party Planner: Piera Pizzo, Evite Party Specialist
“Channel your inner Hot Pie and whip up some meat pies for your guests,” suggests Pizo.
11. Car Theme
Party Planner: Carrie Baker of Carrie Baker Events
“I once did a ‘car’ themed event. Only it wasn’t for kids! It was a gentleman’s 40th birthday. We held the event at a car museum and had access to a secret vault of vintage collection cars for the cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner in the museums Porsche exhibit. It was such a great conversation starter for guests. We kept with the theme from beginning to end – from the invites to the limited edition hot wheel cars that I did for place cards!”
Pier 1.
12. Masks & Mimosas
Party Planner: Lori Hulshof of SPL
“The underlying theme is ‘Pamper Yourself’,” says Hulshof. “And the ladies who attend are always in a good mood and ready to laugh. The best part about a pampering theme is that you don’t need to reserve a formal location; someone’s home will work just fine.”
13. Beach Party
Party Planner: The Bash
14. James Bond
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
“We had a client who celebrated his 60th Birthday as James Bond. His entrance to his blow-out birthday bash included sliding down a 40ft steel fireman’s pole, landed sitting down and was served a perfectly made dirty martini by a masked waiter,” says Correale.
15. Silver Soiree
Party Planner: Lynne Goldberg
Kara’s Party Ideas.
16. Glow in the Dark
Party Planner: Brian Worley of B. Worley Productions
17. Basic B*tch
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
Meluso suggests: “Incorporate all the basic things from Instagram that everyone secretly loves—i.e. brunching (Supply everyone favorite brunch bites and bottomless mimosas, pizza, froyo, photo booth, a designated hashtag for the event…”
18. Seven Deadly Sins
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
Pinterest.
19. Beach Party
Party Planner: The Bash
20. Resort Staycation
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
21. Paint the Town Red Party
Party Planner: Lynne Goldberg
22. Music Video Party
Party Planner: Richard O’Malley of The How Behind the WOW!
“There is a NYC company called ‘Overnight Celebrity’ that not only shoots a music video for you all over the ‘city that never sleeps’ but they bring YOU in the recording studio to make you a rapper or rocker of you dreams. Ok, this one uses some tech to make sure you stay on key,” says O’Malley.
Celebrations at Home.
23. Bubbles & Bowties
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
“Everyone gets a personalized [champagne] bottle and a fabulous colorful bowtie as a takeaway,” suggests Meluso.
24. Target Theme (yes, like the store)
Party Planner: Ariel Sagat of Hostess Helper NYC
“All decor was red, white, and polka dot,” says Sagat. “There was even a Starbucks corner of the dessert table with cupcakes in hot cups to resemble Frappuccino’s. I love when clients really go for a theme and don’t hold back. Guests notice and appreciate the small details more so than if you spend a ton of money to have an extra layer on the cake. It’s always fun to create any type of “help yourself bar” where guests really interact with the event and can personalize their experience.”
25. Pool Party
Party Planner: The Bash
26. Bohemian Nights Summer Hamptons Party
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
“Last summer, we worked on a Bohemian Nights Summer Hamptons Party that was the coolest blend of Bohemian Vibes and Hamptons elegance in one,” says Correale. “From mixed-color fabric studded bars that served rosé and tequila all night long to homemade chocolate chip cookies that were served on a larger-than-life steel spoon, this event blew it out of the park. The main edible attraction was the oversized seafood bar that featured locally sourced oysters, ginormous shrimp cocktail, lobster, tartar, ceviche, clams, and warm buttered mini lobster rolls passed on wooden trays.”
Cheryl Style.
27. Chinese Tea Parlor
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
28. Never Feel Blue Party
Party Planner: Lynne Goldberg
29. Sip & Shred (Apres Ski Theme)
Party Planner: Molly Sinsheimer
“Guests dressed in vibrant jumpsuits and coats with very fun and furry headpieces.” The party was hosted at a lodge-themed bar with campfires, s’mores and a mountain backdrop for photos.
Brit + Co.
30. La Croix Theme
Party Planner: Ariel Sagat of Hostess Helper NYC
31. Tropical
Party Planner: The Bash
Pinterest.
32. Denim & Diamonds
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
33. Food Festival
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
34. Coastal Social
Party Planner: The Bash
35. Farm to Table Foodie Party
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
36. Unicorn Theme
Party Planner: Piera Pizzo, Evite Party Specialist
37. Music Festival
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
Inspired by This.
38. Not Your Average Slumber Party
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
Meluso suggests gifting “personalized silk pajamas with guests initials, SLIP Silk Eye Masks, Bubbly, etc.”
39. Glamping
Party Planner: The Bash
40. Fourth of July
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
“We did a HUGE 4th of July blow-out where all of the food was served via individual vignettes,” says Correale. “We had a New England Lobster Roll Station, a Chicken and Shrimp Waffle Cone Stand, Colors of the Rainbow Vegan Sushi Bar, Brick Oven Pizza Served from a pick-up truck, Ramen Burgers and Pasta Doughnuts. It was epic!”
41. Day of the Dead
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
A Practical Wedding.
42. Summer Camp
Party Planner: The Bash
43. Beer Festival
Party Planner: Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs
44. Florals Theme
Party Planner: Piera Pizzo, Evite Party Specialist
45. Murder Mystery
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
Victoria Magazine.
46. Garden Party
Party Planner: The Bash
47. Roaring ’20s Great Gatsby
Party Planner: Kristie Linda Meluso of KMA Events
48. ClamBake
Party Planner: The Bash
Pinterest.
49. SNL Characters Theme
Party Planner: Carrie Baker of Carrie Baker Events
“[A] dream theme would be a ‘Come as your favorite SNL character’ costume party! I was just talking to a friend about how everyone has a favorite SNL character, from the early days of the show, to the epic 90s, to the more recent cast, there are so many options! Its so fun and nostalgic and you can really get creative,” says Baker.
50. Wonderland Theme
Party Planner: Ariel Sagat of Hostess Helper NYC
“I worked on a first birthday party in early December,” says Sagat. “We decided to go with a winter ONEderland theme, which was perfect because all the stores were full of amazing winter supplies for the holiday season. We created a hot chocolate station after coming across some peppermint bark, flavored hot chocolate, marshmallow toppers, and candy cane stirrers.”
51. Science & Underwater Theme (Aquaman vibes)
Party Planner: Brian Worley of B. Worley Productions
“Think Aquaman’s home city infused with a science lab where things replicated in ways not how they started,” says Worley. “The idea was to use lighting effects to make it feel as if the guests were underwater and create entertainment that is interactive and heavily costumed. Immersive and atmospheric, the theme is a science lab for the exploration of both the known and unknown. Through projection, costumed performers, illumination, and large scale décor elements, the space is an ethereal backdrop or laboratory beneath the ocean’s surface.”
A version of this article was published in 2018.