Are you struggling to find the perfect festival event theme that will captivate your attendees and create a lasting impression? We’ve helped thousands of organisers set up their events, so we understand the challenges of organising a remarkable experience — and we’re here to help.
The truth is, your theme doesn’t have to be outlandish to make an impact, but it does have to be eye-catching and memorable.
In this post, we’ll share practical tips for choosing and implementing event themes and provide real-world examples to show you how it can be done.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Sports event themes
- Art event themes
- Tech and science event themes
- Community event themes
- Food and drink event themes
- Sophisticated event themes
- Unique event theme ideas
- Team building theme ideas
- Festival theme party ideas
- Host an unforgettable event your guests will love
Sport event themes
Sports events unite kids and adults of all ages for active fun. Many of these events can use outdoor spaces and even work well as virtual event theme ideas.
1. Sports day
Fun runs, tug of war, egg and spoon races, and other competitions are a classic way to engage those with a competitive spirit. As a theme, athletics can help draw new audiences, including folks of all ages looking to be active.
2. 5k
5Ks are a great way to bring people together and encourage people to be active. Host your 5K at a park, on a trail, or through your city streets. Or, opt for a virtual 5K where participants run at a time and on a course that suits them.
Doing it right: The Running Bug hosts virtual 5Ks to encourage anyone, anywhere, to run as part of a community without having to travel too far. The Running Bugs events are always ones to remember, whether it’s a dress-up run for St. Patrick’s Day or a sunset run for the summer solstice.
3. Aerial arts
Hire aerial artists — like trapeze artists — to perform on colourful silk strands. By theming your event around aerial arts, you can fill the atmosphere with a lively, choreographed theatre that all ages enjoy. Host this event in a theatre, gym, or ballroom, and live stream it for anyone who can’t attend in person.
Doing it right: By using an aerial arts theme, the US-based Pier to Point Yoga & Wellness Center literally elevates their events. Through aerial playtime, they accomplish their goal of helping adults get in touch with their inner child.
4. Stunt show
Hire stunt artists to perform feats of daring that dazzle your audience. The difficulty lies in finding a venue that’s safe for these daredevils to perform in, so you want to leave yourself plenty of time to find one. You can share videos of the event or its live stream to expand visibility beyond your venue.
Doing it right: Extreme Stunt Show Ltd took their stunt show to the next level by combining it with a circus. Consider how you can elevate your own stunt show like theirs to make the experience unforgettable.
5. _____athon
Walk-athon, bike-athon, bake-athon, sweat-athon, read-athon — any “athon” creates a sense of community! Use your imagination and get participants of all ages involved in a goal-setting experience that will create bonds between them — and your event. The venue will depend on the type of event you choose. Host a virtual “athon” to expand your event’s reach.
Doing it right: Creative Manchester’s children’s edible read-a-thon events are a great mix of fun and educational programming. These events engage children in drawing pictures of and telling stories about the foods that come to life in their favourite stories, as well as the foods that mean most to them and their communities.
6. Roller skating
Nothing says “icebreaker” like learning to roller skate all over again. Rent a local rink and invite participants to make fools of themselves — all in good fun. As a theme, it can get everyone on their feet and add an exciting angle to an event.
Doing it right: Take a look at Church of 8 Wheels and their roller-skating events held by the notorious David Miles. Don’t forget to have a great speaker system so you can blast some tunes (80’s disco anyone?) and turn it into a roller disco if the crowd is right!
7. Ice skating
Rent a skating rink for year-round winter fun for all ages. Hot chocolate, anyone?
Take the theme up a notch by hiring a teacher so everyone can learn some more advanced moves and try to develop their skating skills. You could even hold an amateur figure skating competition to see who’s learned the most.
Doing it right: SPICE JETS wanted a creative theme to raise money for its charity, Friends of Spice. Ice Skating at Slough Ice Arena was the perfect event for a day of family fun while giving back.
Art event themes
Celebrate local artists and inspire creativity in your attendees with these art event themes designed to engage their inner creators.
8. Aroma immersion
Smells can create strong nostalgic and emotional connections for people. Hire essential oil vendors and therapists to concoct an aromatic ambience for your event and even teach attendees some natural healing techniques. This event will appeal primarily to adults looking to add a lovely touch to their homes.
Doing it right: That’s what makes the Ibrahim Islamic Center’s events special. Its Scents, Sounds, and Storytelling event built its theme around aroma immersion and enhanced the music and storytelling components at the same time.
9. Arts and crafts stations
Set up DIY arts and crafts stations where attendees can mix, mingle, and make. If you expect an all-ages audience, offer crafts for kids and adults. Transform a gym, conference room, or community centre into the maker space you need.
10: Digital caricatures
Hire an artist talented at rendering likenesses on a tablet and let guests have their caricatures drawn for charity or profit. Long-distance guests can submit their photos to have their digital caricature made.
Doing it right: The VAS Gallery levelled up their caricature event by inviting an artist to teach others how to make caricatures and start a conversation about caricatures as art. You could take a page out of their (sketch) book by offering a class or discussion at your event.
11. Art tour
Don’t have a venue? Who needs it anyway! Invite your attendees on an art walk of local galleries and studio spaces instead. A civic cultural immersion is a powerful way to connect your event with your local business community.
Turn it into a virtual event by setting up a live-streamed art tour where participants can click through images showcasing works from local galleries.
Not sure how to set up a virtual event? Eventbrite’s got you covered. Start by setting up your event on our virtual events platform.
12. Interactive creations
Build your event around an interactive theme! You can actively incorporate attendee feedback and even make a giant interactive wall where participants can write, draw, or graffiti via supplied tablets. Give them projects like “write a poem in under one minute” or “draw a selfie.”
You can tailor the event ahead of time using feedback attendees give you in their RSVPs so the interactive experience begins before they’re even there.
13. Creator art fair
Invite local artists to show their work and raise money for your cause (and local art). This is a great seasonal-themed event (think Christmas bazaar), but it can work any time of the year.
Want to make sure your event goes off without a hitch? We’ve got you covered with our Ultimate Event Planning Checklist.
Tech and science event themes
Whether you’re celebrating the best of social media or showcasing a high-tech installation, tech and science event themes have mass appeal. These ideas work well for teens and adults alike.
14. Interactive games
Gamification is a compelling way to engage attendees. Using technology, you can orchestrate a digitally run trivia game or plan a family scavenger hunt with an app that provides clues. The venue will depend on your game choice, so decide whether you need a large open space or a virtual environment to host.
Doing it right: Urban Adventure Quest hosts smartphone-guided scavenger hunts throughout the US. The scavenger hunts incorporate local history, so everyone who plays can come away with a little more appreciation for the city they’re in.
15. Augmented reality
Enlist augmented reality (AR) technology to embellish games and activities — and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Snapchat custom geo-filters are one example of how AR is achievable for all event organisers and are sure to be a hit.
By using AR as your theme, you can make the entire event experience special. Not only will your guests be impressed, but they’ll also get to experience something truly unique!
Doing it right: That’s why Bomb Fried Rice hosted an AR-themed event as a part of their Future of Dining series. By making AR one of the event’s core themes, they elevated it to a more immersive experience.
16. Influencer spotlight
Do you work with influencers who can help spread the word about your events with their powerful social media presence? Hosting an event with a theme that spotlights an influencer has a one-two punch: it thanks them for their partnership and gets the attention of their fans and followers.
These events work well in many venues, including outdoor spaces, coffee shops, and conference rooms. You can record the event and share it online to extend its reach.
17. Future of…
Let your audience catch a glimpse of the future! Whatever your industry is, highlight the technology that will shape its future with a “Future of…” event. You can invite speakers to make exciting predictions and demo prototypes of industry-shaking tools.
Doing it right: That’s exactly the kind of theme that helps the Future of SaaS Alliance stand out. By bringing together industry experts and a wide range of innovative companies, its events shape conversations in the SaaS industry.
18. Throwback video arcade
Rent retro video games from any era for an analog video arcade that will inspire deep nostalgia for a simpler time. Plus, retro games are by far the most popular type of game — 79% of gamers surveyed say they play retro games like Super Mario Bros. and Pac-Man. This all-ages event can take place at any venue with ample space for the consoles.
Doing it right: The Smithsonian’s Arts + Industries Building made their arcade night even more memorable by bringing in live electronic music acts and turning the whole building into a glow-in-the-dark experience.
19. Livestream
When you promise a live video of your event, you create a few opportunities:
- An invite to participate in a powerful live event that might go viral
- A way to engage people with your brand even if they can’t make it to the physical event
- Material to post across your social media channels
Community festival event themes
Build a sense of community while promoting your brand. These community event theme examples offer fun for all ages.
20: Open jam
Provide instruments — or let participants bring their own — for both impromptu and guided music-making sessions. The instruments don’t have to be fancy, either.
Upturned buckets and tin cans will do! This all-ages event needs a stage or open space where participants can rock out and make some noise.
21. Animal guests
Team up with a local animal shelter for an ad-hoc adoption event. Adorable dogs and cats get the warm and fuzzy vibes going strong. Kids and adults alike will delight at this event, which can take place at the animal shelter, a community centre, a pet supplies shop, or a park.
Think of all the adorable photos you can post on social media! Plus, you can post the animals online to host a virtual adoption for people who may not be able to attend.
22. Back in time
Choose an iconic era — the Roaring ’20s, Disco ’70s, Grungy ’90s — and invite participants to come in costume. Nostalgic throwback parties offer many opportunities for on-theme cocktails, music, and decor. Host an evening adults-only event at a swanky ballroom or restaurant, or make it a daytime family-themed party at a community centre.
Doing it right: A distinctive ‘20s theme is what made the Autumn Trails Veterinary Center’s Howling 20s Speakeasy stand out for its attendees. With thematically appropriate music and everyone dressed to the nines (or the 20s, that is), the event certainly left an impression.
23. Campfire storytelling
Take the trend of storytelling nights to the next level with a campfire-themed storytelling event. Participants gather in small groups and elaborate on a theme. It’s an intimate and inspiring way to get people brainstorming and working together.
Add real campfires if your venue has the right outdoor space to do so, or create pretend campfires indoors, decorate the ceilings with fluorescent stars, and serve hot chocolate and marshmallows to really bring the theme home.
24. DIY theme
Let your participants “design their own event” and co-create the agenda. They can showcase a skill, teach fellow participants how to make something or initiate a discussion on an important topic. Give participants a spot on the agenda to tap into their knowledge and inspiration to create a dynamic, hands-on good time.
Doing it right: CreateSpace Camp Pendleton lived up to their creative name by inviting their guests to create an inventive theme for a dancing video game event. The DIY theme lets people create something new before letting loose and playing the fun game.
25: Street party
Take your event outside and team up with local businesses for a bigger bash than you might throw on your own. The festive atmosphere and combined talents make for a monumental party that families will surely enjoy.
Need more inspiration? We’ve put together tons of community party ideas to make it an unforgettable event.
26. Charity photo booth
Invite participants to donate a fee to have their photo taken in a fun-filled photo booth. Offer props and costumes, flattering lighting, and a professional photographer to make it worth their while. You don’t need a big space to set up an impressive photo booth that appeals to all ages.
27. Celebrity fête
Wrangle a celebrity to be the face of your event. It doesn’t have to be Harry Styles — local and niche celebrities bring their own devoted followings. Alternatively, make this celebrity-themed event a costume competition, and see who can pull off the best celebrity impersonation!
Doing it right: That’s what made CipherPunk’s celebrity impersonation night pop. By upgrading their typical lip-sync competition with celebrity impressions, they made the night even more memorable for everyone.
28. Community clean-up
Gather a gang to tackle a community clean-up project. This is a great way to team-build while accomplishing a noble task — and getting great event PR. Plus, this event theme doesn’t require a venue and appeals to people of all ages.
You can even host a virtual clean-up that allows participants to help their nearby communities.
Doing it right: SAS in Brighton hosts community clean-ups of local beaches. Volunteers can help make the beaches more beautiful as well as take some time to enjoy nature and load up on Vitamin D.
29. Company house theme
Design a company house using a large tent to host the activities and design an immersive, branded experience for guests to enjoy.
This is often referred to as brand activation — an interactive experience that promotes a product or service while engaging with customers. A retailer, for instance, might design a pop-up shop at a festival where event-goers can try on items or work with a stylist.
30. Community funfair
Rides, amusements, games,, sugary treats, and prizes — a homespun funfair can be a colourful affair for kids and adults alike. It’s impossible not to have fun at a funfair, so this is a surefire theme to get participants revved up. Find a large space such as a car park, park, or local fairgrounds to host the event.
Doing it right: When Fun With Friends throws a funfair, they take it up a notch with celebrity DJs, inflatable climbing walls, and custom swag for everyone to enjoy.
31. Dance party
Go full bacchanalia with an immersive, joyful dance party. Within this theme, there are so many niche ideas you can run with, for example:
- Morning dance jam
- All-night swing dancing
- Silent disco
When choosing dance party event themes, consider your target demographic and pick music that matches their age.
Doing it right: Daybreaker offers attendees a morning dance party to kick-start their pre-work morning. By starting off with yoga and morning fitness, they get everyone energised and ready to dance by the time the music starts.
32. Community drive
Collect items for a community in need, like canned food, toys, or household goods. Drives are a great way to bring people of all ages together and build a sense of camaraderie toward a worthy goal.
You’ll need a collection location for donations, as simple as a park or a large car park.
You can also sponsor a virtual drive encouraging people from other locations to donate to a cause in their area.
33. Domestic safari
Rent out an animal sanctuary and treat your guests to an exotic experience among the giraffes and rhinos. You can create a similar family-friendly experience at any local zoo. You can even partner with local animal experts to teach attendees fun facts, give information on conservation efforts, and answer any questions they might have.
Doing it right: Bankersmith made an upgrade from a typical wine tour with a safari theme to make it stand out even more. People didn’t just have something great to drink, they also got up close with exotic animals.
34. Drive-in movie
Install a giant screen or find a building with a big blank wall and project a classic or cult movie. Invite participants to bring picnic baskets or combine this idea with a food truck roundup or another foodie event. The film you select will dictate the crowd you attract, so choose wisely.
35. Fashion show
Have company t-shirts to sell? Ask members of your company leadership to model them on a makeshift catwalk — a fun and campy way to raise funds and entertain a crowd, all in the comfort of your office. Live stream the show on your social media pages to build interest.
36. Festival
Bring together local businesses, musicians, artists, makers, sellers, mixologists, and chefs for a bountiful good time. You’ll need some open outdoor space to host a festival that welcomes attendees from all backgrounds and ages.
37. Dragon’s Den chat
Corporate event themes can include this innovative format for panel discussions where a circle of attendees can discuss a theme. Extroverts and joiners may choose to participate, while introverts stay outside the circle and contribute only if they feel inclined.
38. Treasure hunt
Use gamification or simple paper clues to lead groups of participants on a treasure hunt for prizes. Take it beyond your venue and make it an urban adventure — you might have participants search for civic landmarks, for instance.
All ages can enjoy this event, but if you include kids, keep the clues easy enough to be helpful. Organise this remotely by posting the clues online so participants can join at a time that works for them.
39. Fortune telling
Enlist tarot card readers, clairvoyants, and vintage-style fortune-telling machines to tell your attendees’ futures. This adult-friendly activity can be incorporated into a larger event like a festival or stand-alone as a fun afternoon or evening.
Decorate the space with textiles and reds and purples, and place magical stones and trinkets all around to add to the theme’s mystique.
Doing it right: The Galleria Boheme added to its series of music and dance shows by creating one with a fortune-telling theme. By honouring fortune telling’s history in Romani and Balkan culture, it provided a culturally interesting and relevant event for everyone.
40. Movie or TV show theme
Pick a popular or cult movie or TV show and model your event on that theme. If you choose an adult movie or show, make this an adults-only event.
41. Noisy raffle
The opposite of a silent auction (see below), the noisy raffle is a raucous good time where participants vie to purchase desirable prizes. Those prizes can be objects of wonder, unique experiences, or opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have; the only limit is your imagination.
Attract willing bidders to this event, which you can host in any open community space.
42. Bingo
Bingo is a classic, fun way that lets everyone get involved. Find a local community hall and offer some light refreshments. Ask donors for some good prizes to ensure everyone will play along.
It’s really easy to make a themed Bingo night, too, to add a little more excitement to your event.
43: Open mic
Invite audience members up on stage to tell stories, sing songs, crack jokes, or perform in other creative ways. A coffee shop or small theatre can work as your venue, and you can gear this event toward kids, adults, or both.
Doing it right: UK Open Mic’s open mic nights emphasise making everyone feel comfortable and welcome, exactly the atmosphere that invites great performances from newcomers and regulars alike.
44. Roast
Nope, not a roast dinner (although that’s not a bad idea either). In this case, we’re talking about a comedy roast — when you put a beloved figure on stage and let people poke fun at them.
You’ll need a willing participant and a venue that can seat a crowd. Stick with an adult crowd in case the commentary gets a little risqué.
45. Playground
Create a playground for adults. Swings, slides, jungle gyms, and balance beams allow grown-ups to destress. Set up this playground in a park or gym for some old-school fun. Inflatable equipment makes it cheaper and easier to set up and take down, but just be sure to tie everything down in case of high winds!
Doing it right: That’s exactly the theme Just Play Entertainment went for with its Adult Playground event. They even added a competitive element so people would try out as many different games as possible.
46. Fancy dress
Halloween any time of year: Invite participants to dress to their wildest imagination. A costume party can be adults-only or family-friendly. Add a dress-up theme, like superheroes or Disney movies, to get everyone on the same page and see how different people interpret it.
To add a virtual component, showcase standout costumes on social media.
47. Sleepover
They may not sleep, but this all-night affair draws participants to mix and mingle casually in their pyjamas. Decide whether you want to host families, adults only, or teens at this event.
Doing it right: After Dark ENT gives their slumber parties a fun dress code by having everyone wear pyjamas and even offering a prize for the best-dressed attendee.
48. Hot air balloons
Contact your local hot air balloon outfitter and give your attendees the thrill of a lifetime. The company can advise you on where to take off from and how many people you can accommodate.
Doing it right: The organisers of the Winthrop Balloon Festival make their rides special by timing them with the launch of many other hot air balloons and even offering a nighttime “balloon glow” ride.
49. Quiz night
Participants team up to answer quiz questions, with the winning group getting prizes. It’s a simple concept and so much fun for adults. Host a quiz night at a pub or restaurant so attendees can dine while they play.
Food and drink event themes
Many event themes call for food and drink, so why not make it the centre of your next event? While coffee- and alcohol-inspired events might call for adults only, many food events offer family-friendly fun. You can host these events outdoors or at a local bar or restaurant.
50: Locavore feast
Craft a foodie event for adults focused exclusively on local farmers, chefs, and vendors. To make it more unique, offer up a seasonal theme, such as Summer Bounty, Autumn Harvest, Winter Canning, or Spring Gardening.
Doing it right: The locavore theme is what made the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s summer menu event stand out among its other cooking classes. By emphasising local produce, they helped people access healthy, local food and make it delicious.
51. Coffee klatch
“Let’s talk about it over coffee.” Bring in professional baristas and their machines as the backdrop for your business, educational, or cultural conversations. Adults can sip on their favourite brews while learning something new. Let the baristas show off their skills by having them teach attendees a little about how to make their favourite coffees. It makes for a great show!
52. Snack van roundup
This type of pop-up foodie fest is always sure to draw a crowd. You can add live music and kids’ activities to the mix to make it a fun family affair. A car park or local park is a convenient spot to host this event.
53. Cocktail masterclass
Enlist a pro mixologist to teach participants how to make specialty drinks. Invite big-brand or small-batch distillers to sponsor your event and livestream the cocktail-making demonstration to add a virtual component to the event.
Doing it right: When Whiskey Loves Basil offers cocktail masterclasses, they often pair them with distillery tours. That offers a unique educational experience for the attendees and gets everyone up and moving for an additional fun event!
54. Lunch club
Ladies Who Lunch? How about Runners Who Lunch? Or Entrepreneurs Who Lunch? Or Hobbyists Who Lunch? The variations are endless. And who doesn’t love lunch? Pick a new restaurant for every lunch to give adults with shared interests a spot to converse and dine.
55. Make-your-own-chocolate workshop
Enlist a chocolatier (or a suite of them) to lead participants through the timeless art of making chocolate confections. Or, host this workshop virtually, allowing participants to make sweet delicacies from home.
Doing it right: The 7th Street Candle Co’s chocolate workshop doesn’t just teach people how to make their chocolate — it includes lessons about chocolate’s history, so attendees appreciate their creations even more.
56. Afternoon tea
Plan a polished affair with tea leaves, delicate finger sandwiches, and pinkie fingers lifted as participants sip daintily from fine china. While your tea party guests will likely be adults, you could also make it a kid-friendly event with paper plates and childhood favourites.
Doing it right: Edinburgh Zoo offers Tea and Talks events to educate attendees on their primates over a cuppa.
57. Retro potluck
Invite guests to bring dishes (and dress up) with a nostalgic theme. The ’50s works well for this, with steak pies, jelly moulds, endless stews, and vintage aprons.
58. Regional cuisine
Choose a region and use it as a theme for food, drinks, entertainment, education, and more. Have a caterer or local chef create a regional menu and serve guests of all ages. Bonus points if the regional food is seasonal, sustainable, or produced with ingredients from local businesses, you can support as well!
59. Pancake breakfast
Raise funds, raise awareness, and, most importantly, have fun with a good old-fashioned pancake breakfast the whole family can enjoy. A community centre, gym, or cafeteria makes a great spot.
Doing it right: When the Rotary Club of Oviedo throws a pancake breakfast, they don’t stop at food. They make sure there’s live music, a photo booth, and colouring books — even the Easter Bunny might make an appearance.
60. Bake-off
The Great Charity Bake Off? Invite guests to contribute their best baking efforts to a good-natured rivalry. Let participants of all ages sample the baked goods and vote on a winner. You could even invite a local baker to be a guest judge and give tips to the contestants.
Make sure your food and drink event hits all the right notes. Read our Food & Beverage Trends & Stats for Event Planners.
Sophisticated event themes
Discover creative ideas that add a touch of class to your next event. These are ideal corporate event themes; some work best with an adult-only crowd.
61. Outdoor ballet
Enlist a local ballet company for a unique performance at a local farm, park, or other outdoor space. Add that theme to a more typical gathering of food trucks, artisans, or other vendors to keep the audience fed and happy. This all-ages event can attract a real crowd.
62. Global citizens
Orchestrate a festival, fête, or market featuring goods and foods from all over the world. Invite people from different cultures who live in your community to showcase their favourite traditional dishes, dances, and other cultural markers.
63. Speed events
Speed-dating, speed-networking, speed-storytelling — there are many variations on the “do it fast” theme. They all share one thing in common: an exciting, stimulating vibe adults will love.
Doing it right: The Ark Network Group has a great way of making their speed networking events stand out: They make sure the invitee list includes a wide variety of people from many different organisations, including governments, small businesses, and nonprofits.
64: Honour a special guest
Organise a fête that puts the spotlight on a special someone within your team or community while also honouring the audience with good food and entertainment. You can also invite VIPs or guest speakers to give remarks on their own admiration for the honouree and put together a film or photo reel to make your special guest the central theme.
65. Masquerade ball
Participants come wearing masks and dressed in ornate costumes. This adult-friendly event is a throwback to another era where music, dancing, and flirtation went on late into the night. Host it in a hotel ballroom or community centre that you can transform into an elegant space.
66. Meet the expert
Hand the mic to someone participants are eager to hear from in a relevant or unique field. This dynamic meeting format allows audience members to ask questions and hobnob with heroes. Offer a virtual component that lets participants watch a live stream and submit questions using an online chat feature.
67. Garden party
Croquet, giant chess, badminton — fancy, old-fashioned garden games inspire people to dress up and be on their best behaviour. A park or garden is an ideal setting for this elegant occasion.
Doing it right: To make your garden party stand out, follow the example of the Aledo Children’s AdvoCats. They incorporate a fashion show, themed cocktails, and the opportunity for shopping at their garden party.
68. Roundtable
A roundtable discussion is an opportunity to workshop an idea. Typically, participants agree on a topic to discuss and deliberate. A moderator makes sure everyone gets their say.
69. Pop-up shop
Pop-up shops have become so trendy that they’re the norm now. Create a new spot in a temporary structure (or local rented space) designed to showcase your product, experience, or brand. Team up with others, and you have a pop-up market that shoppers will love.
70. Q&A
Create an event to allow your audience to ask questions about your brand, products, services, thought leadership, and more. Set up a panel of in-house experts the public doesn’t usually have access to, and live stream the event to broaden your reach.
You can alternate your questions between virtual and in-person prompts and even offer live polls for the audience to pick what questions interest them the most.
71. Cruise
Rent a trusty ship and cruise around your local body of water with a captive audience. Adult event-goers will bond while afloat on the water. It could even be a dinner cruise or cocktail cruise. Alternatively, just add a cruise theme to an event and encourage everyone to dress their nautical best — just make sure they aren’t expecting any waves!
Doing it right: VIP Nightlife made an even more memorable New Year’s party by upgrading their event to a cruise theme. Their Gatsby’s Yacht New Year’s Party immersed its guests in the luxury and convenience of setting sail.
72. Secret location
Build buzz for your event by refusing to disclose the location until the last minute, when only those who hold tickets will find out where to go.
This super-exclusive party theme is irresistible to those who love to be a part of cool new things. Make sure the venue is worth keeping a secret. Host the event at a rooftop lounge overlooking the city or a chic restaurant that’s hard to get into.
73. Silent event
Attendees don headphones to hear the music, seminar, workshop, or you name it. The general vibe is super chill, so this can be an innovative way to orchestrate a big event in a small space. The flexibility of everyone using headphones means that you can even have multiple channels playing songs or listening to different speakers, so people can choose what to listen to whilst sharing the same space.
Doing it right: Daybreaker doesn’t just offer the silent dance parties. With their silent exercise and yoga events, they put a unique spin on events you might otherwise be familiar with.
74. Wellness fair
Curate an event that brings in wellness practitioners, products, and other health-related brands. Who doesn’t want to feel good? Participants come to learn how they can better take care of themselves, and vendors get a chance to showcase their solutions.
This is also a great theme because it’s easy for you to tie in some event sponsors who bring extra goodies to the event.
75: Silent auction
Unlike a rowdy raffle, a silent auction is a dignified, low-pressure affair. Participants cruise the room at their own speed and discreetly place bids on items they like. Post the goods up for grabs online and secure bids from afar using a virtual bidding website.
Doing it right: Contrary to the name, a silent auction doesn’t have to be completely silent! That’s why the Fossil Ridge Band Boosters include live music and a taco bar with their silent auction.
Unique event theme ideas
The more creative your event, the more enticing it can be. Check out these unique event ideas that are memorable for guests of all ages.
76. Hollywood glamour
Roll out a red carpet and step into the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and celebrate the timeless elegance and allure of the silver screen. Guests will feel like A-list celebrities as they walk the red carpet, adorned in their finest attire. Create a dazzling setting reminiscent of classic Hollywood by adding sparkling lights, luxurious décor, and paparazzi-worthy photo opportunities.
77. Denim and diamonds
Host a denim and diamonds party encouraging guests to wear their favourite denim and add a little sparkle. A restaurant or ballroom is a suitable venue for this event, which can include a plated dinner or canapés and cocktails.
Doing it right: Brittany M took her fashion show to new heights by infusing it with a captivating denim and diamonds theme. Remember, all fashion doesn’t have to be haut couture, and the sparkling designs can inspire the audience to add some flair to their everyday jeans.
78. Spa day
Offer a day of pampering with a spa-themed event. Design a sheet mask facial bar, play soothing music, and hire some nail techs to give manicures. Serve coffee, mimosas, and light snacks to guests.
Doing it right: When Kristen Yousef plans a spa day, she incorporates unique experiences like letting guests create their own spa products like natural sugar scrubs and roller balls.
79. Make-your-own bouquet
Bring in a local florist to set up a variety of flowers. Invite guests with a green thumb — or those willing to learn — to create beautiful bouquets they can take home.
Doing it right: The Fleur Luxe Social Club makes their bouquet-making workshop even more welcoming with snacks and drinks for everyone — not to mention the gorgeous flowers, of course!
80. Heroes vs. villains
Fancy dress parties are just more fun. Host a heroes-vs.-villains event that encourages guests to come dressed up as their favourite movie or comic book character. This theme works well for kids and adults. Remember to award prizes for the top costumes!
81. Book bash
A book bash is any party themed around a certain book. You can incorporate the theme with the food, decorations, and drinks or even add a costume party twist. You can encourage attendees to dress as their favourite book characters and challenge guests to guess who’s who. This event works for all ages, so consider your target audience when sending invites.
Doing it right: For a more adult-focused book bash, Joshua M. Bernstein threw a party celebrating his book The Complete Beer Course, which brought everyone to a brewhouse to talk about how the industry had changed and even enjoy a beer of their own.
Team building theme ideas
When planning a corporate event, ensure the right mix of fun and professional. Check out these team-building event theme ideas that’ll bring colleagues together.
82. Murder mystery
Challenge your colleagues to solve a mystery. A murder mystery party promotes teamwork and encourages everyone to work toward a shared goal. It also brings excitement and tension to the party that you can complement by choosing a chilling setting — think The Bates Motel.
Doing it right: When Whodunnit for Hire starts a murder mystery, they don’t just do puzzles. They turn the event into a themed party where everyone can have fun, get immersed in the world, and work together as a team.
83. Share your skill
Do you have any employees with secret skills? Let them showcase their talent at a share-your-skill day. Give willing employees the stage to teach a class or show off their talent.
84: Casino night
Transform your office into a casino with favourite games like blackjack and roulette. Serve drinks and snacks during the event, and make yours stand out by offering custom casino chips with the company logo or mascot.
Doing it right: StopGap, Inc. made its silent auction event stand out by adding a casino night theme to it. That added fun games and an exciting atmosphere to an event that might otherwise be lower-energy.
85. Spruce up the office
Bring employees from offices around the building together to spruce up thei. Encourage them to let their creativity flow and make their workspace inspiring. Plant new flowers, pull up weeds, and pick up trash at this environmentally friendly event.
86: Afternoon happy hour
Celebrate the end of the week with a Friday happy hour. Offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the end of the workday so employees can relax after a busy week.
87. Painting party
Bring in an artist to offer a guided painting lesson for your team. Supply the canvases, paint, and paintbrushes, and let every team member go home with a handcrafted piece of art.
Doing it right: Make your painting event even more fun, like Sip ‘N Stroke, which hosts painting parties where attendees can relax with a drink with friends.
88. Escape room
Take your employees to an escape room — or set one up in your office — for team-building fun. They’ll be sure to bond as they work together to solve the mystery and escape.
89. Virtual reality
Bring in some headsets and host a virtual reality day at work. Employees can step away from their desks and enjoy virtual fun to alleviate stress. VR is becoming much more common — the global VR market is expected to grow by 83% between 2022 and 2025 — so it’s sure to generate lots of interest.
Doing it right: A virtual reality theme is what makes the Archaeological Research Institute’s new VR tours come to life. By adding VR to their tours of archaeological sites, they can help people literally see the information right in front of them and imagine the lives of people living there in the past.
90. Live band karaoke
What’s better than karaoke? Singing in front of a live band like a true rock star! Hire a local band to play cover songs, and let employees take the mic and sing along. You may want to prime a few people so they’re ready to go first and break the ice. The rest will soon follow suit.
91. Cooking class
Have a local chef teach employees a new recipe at work. They can work together to create the dish and then enjoy it for lunch. If you don’t have the right type of kitchen, you can speak to a local restaurant and host the event there.
Doing it right: When Get in the Kitchen hosts their classes, they always add a fun twist like comedy, karaoke, or dancing to make it an evening worth remembering.
Festival theme party ideas
Plan an unforgettable festival theme party with these creative event themes, which work for people of all ages. Let the theme inspire your decor, menu, and even costumes.
92. Water games
Warm weather, an open outdoor space, and some water games are all people need to soak up some fun. You can rent inflatable water slides or foam machines for this all-ages event.
93. Glow party
Find an indoor venue where you can turn the lights down and have a glowing good time. Encourage guests to wear neon and hand out glow sticks and necklaces. Music and strobe lights are a must.
Doing it right: Upstairs Cabaret even found out how the glow theme can help people meet one another. By assigning different glow stick colours to people who were single or in couples, the attendees could easily see who they might be interested in getting to know a little more about.
94. Glamping
Why camp when you can glamp? Set up an indoor glamping experience complete with well-decorated tents, cosy mattresses, and an indoor marshmallow bar — no campfire required. This event idea can be a fun sleepover for kids, too.
95: Oktoberfest
Get in the Autumn spirit by hosting an Oktoberfest celebration with good beer, German food, and costumes. Throw in some festival games if you want to design an all-ages event that kids can enjoy.
Doing it right: Oktoberfest Des Moines makes its celebration stand out with authentic German food and drinks, a live band, and even stein-holding competitions.
96. Winter wonderland
Host a winter-inspired bash featuring snowflake decor, ice sculptures, and sparkling decorative accents. This party theme can be casual or formal, depending on your crowd.
97. Bonfire night
Gather around the fire pit for spooky stories and roasted marshmallows. Keep stories not-so-scary if you’re including kids.
Doing it right: You’ve heard of a bonfire, but do you know about the biggest bonfire on earth? That’s what Todd’s promises, in addition to a mechanical bull, horse rides, face painting, and plenty of other fun activities.
98. Sweetyland
Create a magical land with colourful decorations and sweety-themed games at your festival. Don’t forget to hand out sweet treats as prizes, and make sure the kids can take home plenty of treats in goody bags at the end of the night.
99. Haunted funfair
A haunted funfair is perfect for the spooky season and adds some ghoulish fun to the funfair theme. Feature a haunted house that guests can enter — if they dare — along with scary funfair games.
Doing it right: A great model to follow is EngageLive!’s haunted funfair. They offer multiple haunted houses, rides, and attractions for all ages to feel included and have a great time.
100. Olympic games
Host an Olympics-inspired festival with patriotic decor and games inspired by Olympic events. Challenge attendees to the long jump, 100-yard dash, and more. You can even offer a medal ceremony to honour the winners at the end of the night.
101. Superheroes
Centre your festival games on superheroes, and encourage guests to come dressed as their favourite characters. Add to the fun by hiring actors to dress up as superheroes and add a little extra entertainment to the evening.
102: Christmas festival
Hosting a festival around Christmas? Use it as your inspiration for decor, showcasing the colours and characters of the season. Encourage guests to come dressed in festive Christmas attire.
103. Fancy dress festival
Encourage guests to dress up for a fancy dress festival to add even more fun to your event. You can also incorporate costume contests into the evening and offer prizes to those with the most creative looks.
Host an unforgettable event your guests will love
No matter which theme you choose, be sure to go all in, and everyone will have an amazing time.
You can make your event stand out in all kinds of ways, but the best way is to make sure there are plenty of enthusiastic attendees.
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