All the party ideas you need (and never knew you needed).

What are “the good times?” Often, those memories come from parties with friends or family. Planning those events can be stressful, though — especially if you want it to be legendary.

Whether you’re looking for party theme ideas, party ideas for adults, work party ideas, or a good excuse to have a party “just because,” this list offers ideas that are creative, practical, and legends in the making.

Once you have details like your theme figured out, use Adobe Express to start making the announcements, social media posts, posters, banners, and more to bring the event to life. Remember, it’s all easy to make in Adobe Express — no experience required.

Party theme ideas to match — or make — the mood.

Party theme ideas can show off why you’re throwing a party, or they can be the perfect excuse to throw a party in the first place. Peruse these party theme ideas and think about how each can be used in costume requirements, food selections, and the invitations and party decorations to go with it.

Hollywood glamour party.

Add glitz to a party with a Hollywood theme. Roll out the red carpet and show guests to the party in style. If paparazzi are on site, too, this idea will be especially photogenic and will turn into a stream of incredible stories on Instagram.

Yes, the ‘90s are now “retro.”

There are other decades that are retro, too, but the 1990s look is definitely back “in” today. Get your cassette tapes out and see who can take the party back to the ‘90s with all the right slang and popular references.

“When I grow up” party.

Everyone comes dressed as whatever their kid selves wanted to be when they grew up.

Post-apocalypse party.

The world hasn’t ended yet, but there are plenty of movies to suggest how it might go down. Ride that “post-apocalyptic” look with fun costumes for your party.

Luau party.

It’s hard not to have fun with beautiful luau wreaths and loads of island-inspired food and decoration. Make sure to have enough leis to go around.

Time traveler’s party.

Guests come dressed from any time period they fancy, making for a photo-worthy mix of the past — and future.

Wild west party.

Put some John Wayne quotes onto banners for the occasion and get everyone into wild west gear for a raucous party theme. The best party favor is a “Wanted” poster for each guest with a surprise photo you swipe from social media.

Murder mystery theme.

Decide ahead of time who the murderer is and how she or he did it, then invite friends over to help solve the mystery. Make fun mock evidence and include some clues on the invitations.

Pink flamingo (aka Miami style) party.

Decorate with pink flamingos plus posters and other pink party favors. Pineapple decorations go especially well with the pink flamingo look, too.

Mythical creatures party.

Maybe goblins and banshees party together. Everyone comes dressed in their mythical creature of choice.

Globetrotter party.

Try an “around the world” theme with plates from multiple countries along with décor and costumes inspired by every imaginable corner of the globe.

Circus craze party.

Who needs circus animals when you have party goers? This event calls for lots of balloons — and, if the weather’s right, you could even host it under a large tent.

Masquerade ball.

It’s not just a party, it’s a ball. Everyone comes with the masks characteristic of these elegant balls from yesteryear.

Après ski party.

Some people hit the slopes just for the après ski party after. Guests come in puffy winter wear and hot chocolate is served to all.

Olympic Village party.

Whatever sports or activities guests are into, invite them to come dressed as professional athletes in that sport. This party theme idea could rival even the legendary events at the Olympic Village.

Blacklight party.

Set the party area up with blacklights, and guests come in white or neon clothing ready for a high-energy event.

Party ideas for adults (with or without drinks).

The first thing that some might expect to see when searching “party ideas for adults” might be themes focused around adult beverages, or alcoholic drinks. While there are some party ideas that focus on social beverages, that’s not the only direction to go.

Party ideas for adults also harken back to eras that only adults will remember. They also piggyback on adult-centric events and other adult tastes. Take your pick of these ideas, and you’ll be on your way to a unique and memorable party.

Casino party.

Inspired by Las Vegas or another casino-saturated area, you can throw a casino party with large playing tables and plenty of cards and dice. Don’t forget the gilded décor characteristic of casinoland.

1950s retro party.

Pull out the 1950s rock-and-roll posters and poodle skirts and serve soda floats and other nostalgic eats.

Heaven or hellfire.

Host a heavenly party with everyone in costumes of angels or gods, or throw a hellfire party with demons running amok. You could also leave it as an “either or” invitation and see how many people come dressed as each.

Cocktail class.

Hire a mixologist, and a party with adult beverages becomes more interesting. It’s not about imbibing, it’s about learning new drinks and having fun making them with friends.

Trivia night.

Share the trivia categories ahead of time and prepare with fun prizes.

Margarita party.

There aren’t many parties focused on one single adult beverage, but the variety of margaritas is too great to be ignored. Serve plenty of options like lime, watermelon, and coconut. Don’t forget to serve plenty of virgin options, too.

Tailgate party.

Sports fans can use existing team events as part of their own party calendar. Combine another occasion with an upcoming match as a tailgate party, and it’s double the fun (and half the planning).

Dinner party.

Inviting people over for dinner is one thing, and hosting a dinner party is another. Set the area up with elegant decorations and get your best serving ware out. Encourage guests to come dressed in their best, too.

Champagne brunch.

Parties aren’t only at night. Host a Sunday brunch and make it a champagne event with mimosas and bellinis.

Gangster party.

Guests come dressed in suits or fancy dresses, equipped with props inspired by the best gangster movies of all time.

College nostalgia party.

Especially if several guests went to college together or were in school around the same time, your party can take an extra nostalgic turn if you set up just like the parties you had between all those study sessions.

At-home spa party.

Set up spa-level services at home with face masks and setups for mani-pedis. Complete the vibe with some LED candles and soft music, then relax together for a chill party among family or friends.

The first days of Hollywood.

Instead of dressing in today’s glitzy and glammy gowns, invite guests to come in the most retro Hollywood getups they can think up. Old Hollywood looks back to the silent film days of the silver screen, and the costumes offer no shortage of elegance and glamour.

Wine tasting.

You can always turn to the wine tasting, too. Pair bottles with cheese, nuts, and fruits, and encourage guests to relax and take their time.

Comedy night.

Hire a stand-up comedian to come to your party. Equip the pro ahead of time with some notes on the guests in attendance, and you’ll be sure to get laughs.

Progressive dinner party.

Meet at different restaurants for appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. It’s best if the restaurants are close together, otherwise organize carpools ahead of time. An alternate spin on this party idea is to host each phase at someone else’s house.

Kids’ party ideas, from toddlers to party-ready teens.

As soon as we make our first friends, we’re hardwired to like parties. Some parties are planned for special occasions like birthdays and graduations, while others are “just because.” These party ideas will help bring it all together.

Harry Potter party.

Bring the magic to a party for fans of the Harry Potter books or movies. Make posters with the insignia of the four houses and hang banners with popular incantations.

Glow art party.

Prepare an area with blacklights and tell kids to come dressed in clothing that can be drawn on. Then, let them decorate — themselves or each other — with highlighters and glow-in-the-dark paint.

Jungle party.

Have guests come dressed as different jungle animals or in fun animal print. Set decorations up that look and feel like a safari and make posters with fun messages like “beware the animals.”

Carnival games party.

Set up a few stations with classic carnival games and serve carnival food like popcorn and cotton candy.

Sports party.

Kids who share the love of a sport will have a blast with a sport-themed party.

Pajama party.

The pajama party is a classic, and it’s because it never disappoints. Include movies to watch and plenty of snacks.

Enchanted forest party.

Decorate with oversized flowers and twinkling lights along the ceiling to look like stars. Keep the lights low and turn the party space into an enchanted forest.

Pink party.

It could be pink or another favorite color. Throw a party where all guests come dressed in that color and decorate with as much of the color as you can.

Pirate ship party.

A pirate theme can include activities like treasure hunts. Kids can talk like pirates, too, in addition to dressing up. Decorate with scattered gold coins and enchanted skeletons plus other thematic décor.

Superhero party.

Everyone comes dressed as their favorite superheroes (or villains).

Movie night party.

Host a movie night in the den or outdoors under the stars. These parties are more magical when the movies are projected on a screen. Set the movie-watching area up with plenty of pillows and blankets for the coziest experience.

Craft party.

Collect all the craft materials you can and let kids have fun making whatever they fancy. You can set up different stations, too, devoted to things like dying or painting.

Tea party.

Set up tea tables with fancy tablecloths and provide cakes and sandwiches, too. Depending on the age of the kids, you might need options for non-tea-drinkers.

Karaoke party.

Set up a space for the karaoke singer and for any guests inspired to dance. Be sure to get pictures of each singer in action.

Prom party.

Instead of putting all the onus on prom itself, why not host your own prom party as another excuse to dress up? You can book a one-hour limo ride to a local site, too.

Game tournament party.

Kids have fun playing video or board games while noshing snacks and scoring prizes.

Genuinely fun work party ideas.

Work parties have to be on the tame side so no one steps out of line, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. These work party ideas are great for any occasion when you want to keep your party on the chill side. Promote your party ideas on company social media banners and in personalized letters from the bigwigs. If you plan early and promote often, your work party is sure to be a success.

Game night.

Set up stations for different card and board games and offer prizes for winners. Plan the party around games that are shorter, because no one wants to be stuck in a single game all night.

Book club debate.

If there are lots of readers in the office, get together to discuss a book and make it a party with thematic decorations and food inspired by the book itself.

Art party.

Set up canvases and paints for everyone — or clay, to try something new — and guide everyone through creating a work of art.

Themed potluck.

Potlucks are a staple of work events, and you can turn one into a real party with a theme, like “comfort food” or “holiday treats.” Ask everyone to share their lists of ingredients so people can watch out for allergens.

Outdoor movie night.

Project a classic or a popular movie on a big screen in a nearby park. Everyone can bring blankets and folding seats.

International dinner night.

Ask everyone to pick a different country’s cuisine. Be sure to get a photo of every dish before people dig in — you can use them in a photo collage that everyone will consider a keepsake.

Awards party.

Make up as many fun awards as you can and turn the awards ceremony into a fun party. Make certificates for each award you give out.

Stargazing party.

Plan a party in a nearby park where you can drink hot beverages and gaze through telescopes together. Come prepared with maps of constellations and planets.

Escape room.

Go to an escape room together or set up your own at the office.

Outdoor picnic.

Another work staple is the BBQ party. Choose a local park and see who the office grill master really is.

Office Olympics.

Set up multiple easy but fun competitions in the office, like paper airplane flying contests or coffee mug relays.

Photo booth party.

Make a photobooth and load it with fun props, then let people mingle over good food and music while the keepsake photos rack up.

Wellness party.

Workplaces are more mindful of wellness now, and you can turn wellness into a party. Set up a massage station with a professional at the ready, serve healthy but tasty snacks, and bring in a wellness coach for tips.

Talent show.

When employees showcase their talents, some of them shock their coworkers. Who knew that Virginia could sing?

Scavenger hunt.

Set up a scavenger hunt around the office with work-related clues and great prizes for the winners.

Show and tell.

There are many things we don’t know about our coworkers despite spending so much time with them. A show and tell party gives the team an opportunity to each share an article that carries personal stories with it.

Tips to promote your party.

Coming up with the party plans is the hard part. Then, you get to build buzz. To get as many people on board as possible (and to tell them what costumes are expected or what they should bring), consider making:

• Party announcements to share all the details early.
• Party invitations with a personal touch.
• Posters to put in high-traffic areas (for example, when promoting a work party).
• Personalized letters for more exclusive events.
• Party flyers with all the details.
• Calendars with reminders and countdowns to the big day.

Exercise: What’s your party’s purpose?

Different occasions call for different kinds of parties. There’s a big difference between a graduation party and a retirement party, after all.

To match your party’s purpose with the best party ideas, try this quick exercise:

1. Imagine the day after the party. What do guests remember most?
2. Imagine looking at the photos and social media posts in five years. What’s the focus of the photos?
3. Match those feelings and memories you want to create with the party theme ideas that match.

Adobe Express can help.

Adobe Express has templates and customization tools to put your favorite party ideas to work. If you want to use party ideas in cards, letters, posters, banners, photo collages, flyers, or other creative projects, Adobe Express makes it as simple as picking a template and personalizing it, or making your own idea with easy-to-use tools. Whatever message you want to transmit, Adobe Express brings it to life, no experience required.

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