40 Theme Party Ideas

An ordinary party is way too normal and that is why you are looking for a unique theme for your party! In this article, you will therefore find 40 theme party ideas. Get inspired for a unique birthday or for the company party you are organizing.

There are plenty of ideas to make your party unique. To organize your theme party, you just need to find a theme that fits the party. After that you can start collecting the attributes and the anticipation of the party.

Before you choose your favorite theme party, first this. The theme parties you will find below are sometimes very daring. People who come to your party or event must of course be able to appreciate it and be able to go along with it. Because it is only when everyone is dressed in style that the party goes off the roof.

So check whether a theme really fits the party you are organizing. At a company party, for example, go for a less intense theme. Then choose a ‘Black & White’ party instead of ‘Proud to be Wrong’. This way you prevent the theme from causing too much inconvenience and people having trouble sticking to the theme. At the same time, if you’re looking for a theme for your wedding, you probably want it to be stylish in its own way.

You also want as many guests as possible to come in theme. Do this by making it clear on the invitation before the party that there is a dress code. Also immediately give ideas of how the guests can deal with that dress code. Outfit tips help guests choose appropriate attire and take away the fear that someone will arrive heavily overdressed.

In addition, to promote your theme party (if it concerns a company party), you can decorate the office in advance with the theme with a few attributes. Everything emphasizes the theme and make sure that people can go along with it.

1. Black and White

Everything this evening is black and white. Not only the pictures on the wall and the streamers, but also the outfit of the guests. The guests are dressed in a combination of black and white attributes and you can dress the room in black and white balloons. A nice extra effect with this theme party idea can be a blacklight. With this lamp, the white accents of the outfits turn magical purple.

This theme is our number one because it is the most popular. This probably has to do with the low-threshold dress code. After all, everyone has something black or white in their closet. Another handy thing about this theme is that you can still go in any direction with it in terms of music.

An extra idea is to dress the birthday boy (or bridal couple) in a different color for this party. This is not necessary, but it can put the person extra in the center of course! Songs for the birthday DJ to play are Michael Jackson’s Black or White, Alannah Myles’ Black Velvet, Santana’s Black Magic Woman, and Billy Idol’s White Wedding.

2. Karaoke Night

Of course, you can hire singers for your theme party, but isn’t it much more fun to sing them all yourself? You can also expand a karaoke evening with a theme. Have the guests come dressed as their favorite artists. The atmosphere is already good and then the singing should also be successful. Karaoke is guaranteed to be fun!

Some thing to keep in mind at a karaoke party is that everyone has the space to perform a song. What you often want to prevent is that one uncle is singing hazes all evening. The atmosphere is often created precisely because everyone has their share in it. To guide that process, you can of course also hire a DJ to guide the process!

3. Disco Fever

Step back in time, back to the disco of the 80s. The moves are probably already running through your head, but don’t forget the wigs and colored lights. You may also be able to color the floor with an illuminated LED dance floor at this theme party in addition to vinyl disco records. In any case, if your guests are dressed with wide trouser legs, this ‘Saturday night’ is already a success.

In any case, it is good to know that you do not have to limit yourself in terms of music at a disco party. It’s especially nice if at least the most famous disco hits are played, but you will probably be forgiven if some top 40 comes in between. In terms of music, you can at least think of artists such as Donna Summer, Village People, Kool and the Gang and the Sunshine Band.

4. Onesie Pajamas

Huh, a onesie, what’s that? Those are the pajama-like suits that people wear when they don’t expect visitors on a Sunday evening. Wonderfully comfortable and soft, but also very nice for a theme party. With a onesie you are comfortable and out of your comfort zone at the same time and everyone looks nice and clumsy. So the atmosphere is already set upon arrival. It’s a bit like everyone comes to a party in their pajamas, so this theme immediately makes for great photos at the photo booth!

If you want you can also specify this theme a bit more by asking people to come in a ‘sort of’ onesie. Think of themes such as animals or a certain color. A problem that you do run into is that not everyone just has dozens of onesies at home, of course…

5. Underwater Theme

The best party under the sea surface. You convert the banquet hall into a space that resembles an aquarium. Think of fish on the wall, blue waves (made of paper, huh ;)) and maybe an inflatable shark (the one from the swimming lesson).

Your guests come dressed up with snorkels and goggles, or of course as a mermaid. Now just be a good lifeguard or sailor and you are complete. It is nice that you can quickly brighten up this party with attributes that you may already have at home. And if the location of the party is outside or in a marquee that can get wet, you might find it interesting to have a water balloon fight!

6. 1001 Nights

The thousand and one night’s theme is that of the Middle East. Think of your old favorite movie Aladdin. The best wishes come true at this theme party idea. So let the guests make a wish on ‘the lamp’.

Furthermore, everyone comes dressed as you expect. In white sheets and with a turban on the head. Maybe you put a camel in front of the door (inflatable for convenience) and then the party can begin.

Nice extras for this theme party are a magic carpet, a belly dancer and of course matching music. The DJ can play songs like Wild Arab Horses by Arabian Nation, Arabian Nights by Bruce Adler, or Simarik by Tarkan.

7. Around the World

Around the world is one of the more creative theme party ideas. Your guests can go wild with their outfits. In the theme, your guests all represent a country of their choice and come dressed up that way. Stereotypes broadening this.

One guest may come as an Italian with a pizza box in his hand, the other comes as a German Oktoberfest figure. At the party itself, the entire hall is of course full of flags from all countries of the world. And the music played by the all-round DJ will probably come from everywhere.

Specifically in this theme, you can of course also choose to choose one or a few countries. That may make it easier to adjust the catering accordingly. For example, if you go to the USA, then the BBQ and Tex-Mex are obvious.

8. Hawaii

If you’re really in the mood for summer, one of the best theme party ideas is simply the Hawaiian party. Set up a cocktail bar and fill the room with colorful Hawaiian streamers and inflatable palm trees. So the party can start. Do you want to unpack and will the room allow it? Then make it a sandbox and place beach chairs. Oh, and the dress code is of course summer dresses and swimwear :).

For snacks and drinks, you can go for coconuts and pineapples. Watermelon will also do well! And see if you can perhaps use torches and flamingos for the decoration (outside). In terms of music, the song ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’ can of course not be missed. Our company party DJ has seen this theme party before and that was always with success and cocktails!

9. Masked Ball

For a classy party with an exciting hue, the theme party idea of ​​a masquerade ball is perfect. Ideal for a gala or Christmas party. Every guest just comes dressed up neatly but with an elegant mask on. The mystery is present and so is the charm. You can also dress up the space as a gala with, for example, a red carpet and a luxury photo mirror.

You can also choose to buy the masks yourself and hand them out at the party. Be clear in the invitation about the color code you want to use because before you know it it’s a carnival in Venice. In terms of decoration of the party location, you can go in all directions with this. Although it may be that you want a traditional atmosphere with a castle in Brabant, lots of candles and music by Mozart. It’s your party!

11. Casino

Imagine yourself and the guests in Las Vegas. Place a croupier at a nice roulette table and give your guests some chips to gamble with. The dress code is of course neat in a tuxedo and the song ‘Viva Las Vegas’ by Elvis will suffice for the music. You can of course also go further in the decoration by, for example, hanging life-sized playing cards and receiving the guests on arrival with (non-alcoholic) champagne.

We have already seen this theme party once at a school party and it was very popular. Of course there is no gambling with real money, but that does not detract from the smooth atmosphere. The prom DJ played all round, but didn’t forget songs like Waking Up In Vegas by Katy Perry, Poker Face by Lady Gaga and Money (That’s What I Want) by Barrett Strong!

12. Moulin Rouge

Of course, we know the Moulin Rouge from the cabaret in Paris. But the atmosphere that surrounds it is so characteristic that it can also turn out great for your party. Sexy and elegant with hats and feathers on the head. And yes, the men, those in tuxedos? In any case, the red hue and lace patterns are frequently used here.

For decoration, you can also think of red roses, red balloons, and maybe even an Eifel tower! With this party theme, keep in mind that it can be difficult for guests to recognize the exact dress code. So it’s better to put some photos of outfits on the invitation just to be sure. The kind of parties where we have seen this theme are often student parties or Sweet 16, songs such as Habanera by Nana Mouskouri, Like a Virgin by Madonna, and Show Must Go On by Queen.

13. Dutch Nights

One of the most popular theme party ideas from our little country; is the Dutch theme. Get the clogs out of the closet, put the tulips on the table and pick up the orange hat from the World Cup from 10 years ago. Just add everything. Dutch traditional costume, the Delft blue, you can think of it so crazy. For the music, we will at least play sing-alongs tonight and honor Hazes. We see this theme party most often at birthdays and so the birthday DJ can go wild with the 100% NL songs. Also, keep in mind that not everything has to be in Dutch these days, music from Dutch soil is broader than that!

To make this evening extra special, organize an ‘I Love Holland’ quiz or challenge the guests to a game of old Dutch games. In terms of decoration, the party is a bit obvious, with many orange and Dutch flags in the bitterballen. A confetti cannon with orange chips always works well with the polonaise.

14. Halloween

It doesn’t necessarily have to be October 31st to get all creepy. Also for the rest of the year, you can go wild with your zombie outfit, severed heads, a witch, life-size spiders and carved pumpkins. Nothing is too crazy with the Halloween theme and you are sure to get nightmares.

For decoration, you can pull it as wide as you want. Are you only going to hang some skeletons or will you also serve snacks that resemble an eyeball? The choice is yours! There is also nothing that the all-round DJ lacks for music. Think Thriller by Michael Jackson, She Wolf by Shakira, Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr. and Bury a Friend by Billie Eilish.

You can also make this theme a bit more specific by taking part in the horror. For example, inspired by the movie Twilight. Although we have to say that in a broad theme party like Halloween it is often nice if guests can dress up nicely.

15. Hollywood

Lay out the red carpet because tonight only stars will come to your party! Everyone comes dressed as his or her idol from the silver screen or a character from a series. Requires some creativity but before you know it James Bond and Magic Mike will be dancing to the stars of heaven together at your party.

Furthermore, the theme is of course extremely suitable for a party with class and you can already put the champagne cold. What also radiates class at the Hollywood theme party is extra like a photo mirror. At a party like this, the DJ can choose to play music from famous movies, although it doesn’t have to stop there.

For decoration, you can think of the well-known rolls of film (as streamers), bows and maybe a life-size canvas of the Hollywood logo. And if you want to go big, get some paparazzi. We have already seen some staff parties where this theme was used, very nice!

16. Beauty and the Beast

Nice for a party where you think you will invite many couples. The men come dressed as beasts and the women as beauty. Think of a bear onesie for the man and an evening dress for the woman. You remember the movie, right? If you want to dress it up even further, look up the Disney music that goes with it.

This theme party is quite daring in terms of setting because you demand a lot from the guests in terms of outfits. So you would do well to only do this in such a setting. We saw this theme once for someone’s 50th birthday. What was striking is that this theme cannot be controlled in terms of music and the birthday DJ was able to give it a relatively free interpretation.

17. Knights Mediaeval

Is your party in a castle? Then the medieval theme party might be a good plan. Just going back in time with everyone. Think of knights, (prince on white) horses, damsels and art.

On this evening you also want to hold a King and Queen election for who has dressed the best. Then have a crown handy for the winners! A nice extra can be to hire a dance teacher for an emergency ballroom lesson.

18. Sun, Sea & Beachparty

Whether it’s bad or good weather, a warm beachparty is always allowed. Turn your dance floor into a sandbox and invite guests to your party in swimming trunks and bikinis (or summer dresses ;)). Set up the beach chairs, put on some summer music and enjoy. And if the weather allows it, see if you can place a swimming pool at your party or organize a water pistol or water balloon fight, then the atmosphere is immediately there!

Music that you want to pass by are songs such as Sex on the Beach by T-Spoon, Year of the Summer by Niels Geusebroek and Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams. Although we as all-round party DJs have to say that there are thousands of songs to think of in the summer, so there is no shortage of atmosphere!

19. Carnival

Some people love carnivals so much that every day should be a carnival. So why not just celebrate the carnival when it suits you? With this party theme, everyone comes dressed up how they want and the confetti is flying everywhere!

The carnival DJ plays the records. A big party is guaranteed! In terms of decoration, you only have to walk into a carnival shop. Variations on this party theme include the Venice Carnival (with the masks) or a Brazilian summer carnival. Celebrate how you want!

20. Proud to be Wrong

With this party theme idea, anything is possible. As long as it’s super wrong. Do you opt for a clothesline with lingerie throughout the room instead of a garland? Those dirty candies. Will the DJ become a bare-chested figure with a bow tie?

In terms of outfit and decoration, you can also choose to make a lot of wrong color combinations. And as far as the music is concerned, you will mainly want to listen to the wrong hour of Q Music. Think of songs such as Rampeneren by Ali B and Yes-R, Dancing Queen by Abba and Rainbow in the Sky by Paul Elstak. Enough music to go wild! To further decorate the room and give it more color, you can hire an illuminated dance floor and ask the DJ to bring his confetti cannon.

20. Timemachine

Go back in time with a time machine? What do you think about the past, what are your associations? With this theme, you can take it personally. For example, you can start hanging photos from the past. Can you ask for childhood photos of your guests and do a quiz at the party about which photo has become who? In terms of outfits, everyone is free to wear what they used to wear, no more, no less. Maybe something along the lines of the 90s?

21. Back to the Future

What will the world look like in 100 years? Are we all robots or figures from the movie The Matrix? Anyway, you can let your thoughts loose on this. Think of aluminum foil suits, space travel and that cool car from the movie ‘Back To The Future’ of the same name.

We have already seen this theme party at a company party. It was meant as a kind of nod to a new product line. In this case, the guests were not asked to dress up because the atmosphere had to be a bit more formal. They did have a very nice dance act with robots!

22. Red-Cup Party

A red-cup party is another name for an American party. This often goes hand in hand with the ‘bring your own booze’ principle and everyone brings their own drinks. But make no mistake, red cups are also nice for the theme. For example, consider playing beer pong or any of the other 100 games you can play with these cups. Then add those American lights (those colored orbs) and your theme is complete.

Other theme party ideas

You may have already found a great theme for your super party! If you still want to find some more inspiration, see if you can do something with the themes below or come up with your theme.