Creative Party Theme Ideas
What’s always in style? Creative party themes that take you away! Whether you’re in the mood for a costume party, a trip to the 80s, a sandy beach feel, Hawaiian luau, Hollywood party, or whatever else, let these party ideas take you there!
Creative Party Theme Ideas
A really great themed party is a little like going on vacation. For just a while you can relax and forget the cares of the day. But, unlike
vacations, your friends are with you, celebrating your special event.
Every birthday, holiday, and life event is a reason to party! We’re pulling out all the stop to bring our best themed party ideas, and creative ideas to you!
What kind of party ideas will you find?
You’ll find homemade party ideas, the best party supplies, printable party games, drink and food ideas, themed games for your specific party, and details galore to create the party you’re dreaming of from beginning to end.
Want to start with a fun idea?
Costume parties or fancy dress ideas (for those in Europe) make for easy party decoration. How? Guests simply bring their own piece of the ambiance to the scene.
Of course you can decorate on top of it all. But if everyone’s dressed as if they’ve walked out of a 20s movie, a 70s disco, or a 50s night club, you can bet you’ll feel much more like you’ve gone back in time than if you simply hang up decor.
You can also add costumes to your party. For example, inexpensive hats, head bobbers, or mustaches (as in my friend’s fiesta party theme shown in the photo!). A great theme gets everyone into the action!
Creative Party Theme Ideas for Adults and Kids Parties
 | Getting together to drink, dance, and talk about kids and work; and you call that a party!? You can do better! Add an adult party theme. Themes help define the decor, games, music, dress and make a gathering an event. |
 | Find tons of kids birthday party themes: party ideas for young children, teens or tweens. Maybe they're into Star Wars, Elmo, Dora the Explorer ... or, more grown-up ideas like Hollywood parties with teen party games. You'll find the fun party ideas you're looking for! |
 | If an anything but clothes party theme has you feeling a little naked, don't worry. We've got your covered! Discover 10 things to wear to an anything but clothes party. Plus get naked with your party food and decorations. We show you how on the anything but clothes birthday party idea page! |
 | Our block party ideas page includes parade ideas for neighborhood fun, orchestrating a pot-luck, talent show and other games and activities for a large, diverse group of neighbors. |
 | A Carnival Themed Party is traditional for Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, but it can also be a fun and easy themed party to throw year round. Feeling festive can be as simple as providing guests beads and masks. Here you'll find fun game ideas, visitor party ideas, and easy flower arrangement suggestions to complete your creative party theme ideas. |
 | Tired of the same old Casino Party Ideas? We're pulling new Casino themes out of the vault for a gold rush of great party ideas. Find themes like a Speak-Easy casino theme, the Big Easy theme, Casinos of the World and more. Roll the dice, it's time to party! |
 | Ariana of Richmond, Virginia shares her ideas on how to make the popular Clue Mystery Game even more fun. Her suggestions include dressing the part, what it means to conceal clues, dinner and attention to details like decorating to suit the evening. |
 | Need an easy A? Major in college party themes! You might not get you on the Dean's list, but you're sure to be popular with partiers! Find costume party themes like Loggers vs. Hippies, Toga party ideas, drinking games (Yup, we've got 'em), black light party decorations, and tons more. |
 | Stick 'em up! The Cop and Robbers Costume Party Theme is absolute arresting! Get funny (and sexy) costume ideas, party game ideas, and decorating tips for this hilarious themed party. |
 | Cool weather calls for hot fall party ideas! Get great chili cook off ideas with fun photos, and discover which parties make the best fall parties! |
 | Family reunions are much more fun with loads of games and activities for young (and young at heart). Whether you want active games or interesting and fun pastimes, you'll find them here. |
 | What's behind door #3? A game show themed party! Go retro with classic game show party games from "Let's Make a Deal" or "The Price is Right" or take a play from modern game shows like "Fear Factor" or "The Amazing Race"! |
 | You can create a surprisingly special ambiance in your garden with old chandeliers from antique stores and junk shops. We show you some unique ideas for decorating for a magical evening of warmth and comfortable elegance. |
Adult Birthday Party Themes
In addition to these creative party theme ideas for adult birthdays; be sure to visit our adult birthday party ideas for milestone birthdays. You can adapt any of creative party themes you see on this page to a birthday party theme. You might consider starting with what the birthday person is facinated with: Hawaii, or golf, chocolate, or beer brewing. A theme can be inspired by their favorite things.
Any hobby or interest can inspire a party. Simply choose every aspect of the party, from the invitations to the food, to compliment a theme idea and you’ll have an amazing party! Add a few unique touches (you’ll find them all over this website) and you’ll have created a memory to last.
Find adult birthday party ideas for 30th, 40th, 50th birthdays and every milestone birthday. We’ve created complete party themes like the Bucket List Party, Surprise Parties, Funny Party Ideas, and more of the best creative party theme ideas for any age.
You’ll also get the scoop on the best adult birthday party games...the games that transform average parties to amazing parties!
No matter what type of party you are hosting, whether it’s a dinner or cocktail party, holiday soiree, or birthday bash, original party themes add interest and a unique atmosphere to your event.
Many of our popular themed party ideas, such as the "Movie Themed Party" deliver completely new and unique ideas to suit the party style of today’s host. You might be surprised at what fun these party ideas inspire!
Some of our themed party ideas lend themselves to excellent dress-up or costume parties. But creative party theme ideas can also center around party games, food, gift giving or a landmark event like a birthday or engagement party.
Starred submissions are visitors’ contributions to our creative party themes list. You too can join in! Contact us to submit your own party theme idea.
Creative Party Theme Ideas Shop!
Five Hauntingly Hysterical Halloween Party Themes
Money-Minded Tip
Next to Christmas, Americans spend more money on Halloween than any other holiday.
Make yourself the exception! Check out your local thrift store for low cost Halloween party theme decorations and costumes and save big.
Many items -- candelabras, serving dishes, movie posters, costumes and more -- are waiting for a second chance to be used once again.
What’s more, if you don’t feel like storing these items after the party, simply re- donate the items for someone else to use!
These creative party theme ideas for Halloween make some of the most fun parties to host. Start by letting everyone know your theme; send invitations that ask them to dress accordingly.
See our recipes for creative Halloween foods such as witches brew, poison apples, and Frankenstein’s Frankfurts for added Halloween flair.
Here are our five creative party theme ideas for Halloween that are sure to get cackles and laughs:
Haunted House Theme.
Decorative with Styrofoam or cardboard tomb stones, fake bones, plastic snakes in the trees, and ghosts tucked into the corners of your home. Dim lit lights add to the eerie feel. Place a black light or strobe light about the room to light props such as skeletons and guest’s costumes. These lights can be purchased at party goods stores or online.Movie Characters Theme.
Hang movie posters, and movie reels. Have a muted Halloween themed movie on the TV. Play up the theme with snacks and buckets of popcorn like those found in the theatre.Victorian Era and Historic Theme.
Think old: old mirrors laced with cob webs, food served on Victorian style dishes, and lots candles in antique candelabras.Blast from the past with a 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s theme.
Break out those leg warmers and sideways ponytails; encourage your guests to come as rock or movie stars, politicians, or anyone from the time period. Mix in music of the era with today’s hits and decorate with symbols from the past, such as peace signs, card board cut outs of the "Brat Pack", or whatever the era calls for.Group Costume Themes.
Have groups of friends choose their own theme, such as pirates, Wizard of Oz, Mariachis, farmer and the cow, or whatever crazy theme they can come up with. Consider a fun prize, such as gag gifts from your local novelty or dollar store, for the group with the best theme. Visit our group costume ideas for more inspiration.Adult Halloween: Creative Party Theme Ideas for Every Halloween Theme
Fortune Teller
This doesn’t have to be a real fortune teller, but your fortune teller should dress the part! A gypsy fortune teller wears a turbine or veil as a head dress, a laced vest, a long skirt or genie style pants. Set up a fortune table, a crystal ball, and prefab fortunes!Free E-book! Themed Party Ideas for Adults
Free for Party-zine followers!
Our complete list of creative party theme ideas and many more exclusive free printable party games including:
- Pin the Tail on the Donkey
- 5 Scavenger Hunt Lists
- Cocktail Glass Charms
- Conversation Starter Cards
- Cocktail Recipe Cards
- Play Money
Outdoor Chimney or Fire Pit
Halloween weather can be a bit nippy. Decorate your backyard with the same theme as you've decorated your house; Make the fire pit central, place chairs and bales of hay around it for seating. Set up a "s’mores station" so that people can roast marshmallows and create chocolate and graham cracker treats!Best Costume Contest
This is self explanatory, but it’s really fun to recognize the best costume. Guests will give a little extra effort when presented with the possibility of winning best costume!Dry Ice
Dry ice emits a smoke that lends a ghostly effect. It can be purchased at many large chain stores. Add it to the bottom of a caldron, and it looks like the caldron is bubbling with a ghoulish brew.Sound Effects
A spine-chilling Halloween sound effect CD can be purchased from your party good store. Mix these sound effects into your party music for an unexpected twist!Black Light or Strobe Light
These lights create a supernatural effect that’s both dizzying and exciting. Place near a fun prop such as a skeleton, or just use them to illuminate your guests' costumes. Purchase these online or from a party goods store.Disco Balls and Mirrors
Halloween calls for low lights. In a dimly lit room anything that bounces ambient light around produce a party atmosphere! Mirrors laced with cob webs, faux candles, and back lighting on a scary prop are other ways to create a spooky and fun light effect. Hope you enjoy these spooky creative party theme ideas for Halloween!Creative Party Theme Ideas: Summer Party Theme - Winter Warmer
Have a summer themed party as a winter warmer! Forget the winter stews, roasts, and heavy casseroles and serve up a taste of summer. Start with traditional summer time drinks such as margaritas or mojitos.
Decorate the drinks with festive umbrellas and stir sticks. Yes, it’s cold outside, but fire up the grill anyway and cook fajitas, hamburgers or veggie burgers.
Serve summer inspired favorites like guacamole and salsa for fajitas, or potato salad and coleslaw for hamburgers.
In lieu of jazz and cocktail music, play a steel drum CD or reggae music to stir up thoughts of sand and beaches.
If you want to really inspire your guests, wear a Hawaiian shirt over your sweat shirt! Decorate with reminders of warm weather, like little hula bobble dolls and brightly colored linens, on your buffet table.
Your guests will surely warm up to these creative party theme ideas!
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