These fun party themes for New Year’s Eve are the perfect way to turn the New Year countdown into a night to remember. These unique celebration themes will have you looking forward to midnight with excitement.
As we get older, the idea of ringing in the New Year with a wild night out starts to seem less appealing. (Surely I’m not the only one who feels this way). Let’s be honest: a cozy evening at home in pyjamas, with yummy snacks sounds pretty perfect. But now and then, there’s that urge to make New Year’s Eve something special, to go beyond the usual and create a night worth staying up for.
That’s where these New Year’s Eve party themes come in!
And while we’re talking theme parties, save these ideas for the new year – Christmas party themes, Halloween party themes, party themes for adults, kid party themes & fancy dress party themes.
The Best Party Themes For New Year’s Eve
Do you love a bit of glitz and glam? Or do you fancy a bit of fancy dress? How about something food-inspired? These happy New Year party ideas cover all those and more! Check out the party ideas for New Year’s Eve and start planning:
1. Great Gatsby Roaring ’20s
Step back in time to the glitz and glamour of the Roaring ’20s with a Great Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve party. Guests dress in flapper dresses, tuxedos, and jazz-inspired attire.
Decorate with Art Deco elements like gold and black accents, feathers, and pearls. Set up a champagne bar with vintage-style glasses, and serve classic cocktails like gin fizzes and martinis. Play jazz music to set the mood, and consider adding a dance floor for some Charleston dancing.
This theme is perfect for a night of elegance and celebration – plus a good excuse to dress fancy!
2. Midnight In Paris
Transport your guests to the romantic streets of Paris with a Midnight in Paris-themed New Year’s Eve party. Decorate with Eiffel Tower replicas, fairy lights, and French-inspired decor like vintage posters and cafe tables. Serve French cuisine such as croissants, cheese platters, and champagne.
Play soft French music in the background, and create a cozy, intimate atmosphere with candles and soft lighting. For added fun, set up a photo booth with Parisian props like berets and moustaches on a stick.
3. Midnight Masquerade
Add an air of mystery and elegance to your New Year’s Eve celebration with a Masquerade Ball. With a formal dress code and elaborate masks, create an enchanting and sophisticated atmosphere. Decorate with rich colours, chandeliers, and plenty of candles.
Set up a grand buffet or seated dinner with gourmet dishes and a champagne toast at midnight. For entertainment, consider hiring a live band or DJ to play a mix of classical and contemporary music. End the night with a dramatic unmasking at the stroke of midnight. What a way to countdown!
4. Hollywood Glamour
Roll out the red carpet and celebrate New Year’s Eve in true Hollywood style. Guests dress as their favourite movie stars or in glamorous evening wear.
Decorate with gold and black, using elements like red carpets, golden stars, and film reels. Set up a “Walk of Fame” where guests can take photos, and offer signature cocktails named after famous movies or stars. Play classic Hollywood tunes or soundtracks from iconic films. End the night with a glamorous countdown and a confetti drop.
We did a similar theme for my 30th birthday party and it’s one of those party themes that’s always fun, no matter the occasion! For most of us, there aren’t a lot of reasons to dress up full glam, so it’s fun once in a while.
5. Black And White Ball
Keep it chic and sophisticated with a Black and White Ball. Guests dress exclusively in black and white, creating a visually stunning and elegant atmosphere. Decorate with black and white balloons, streamers, and table settings, and add silver accents for a touch of sparkle.
Serve classic cocktails like martinis and black-and-white desserts like cookies and cream cupcakes. For entertainment, consider a black-and-white movie marathon or a live jazz band.
This end-of-year party theme is perfect for a classy and timeless New Year’s Eve celebration.
6. Winter Wonderland
Embrace the magic of winter with a Winter Wonderland-themed New Year’s Eve party. Decorate your space with icy blues, whites, and silver, using snowflakes, icicles, and fairy lights to create a frosty atmosphere.
Guests can dress in winter whites or sparkly attire – or give their ugly Christmas sweaters one last chance to shine before going back in the drawer.
Serve winter-themed cocktails like peppermint martinis and hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. For entertainment, set up an ice-themed photo booth or host a snowball toss game (scrunched-up paper works well if you don’t live somewhere with snow). This theme brings the beauty of winter indoors for a cozy and enchanting celebration.
7. Summer Pool Party
If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere (like me), a summer-themed New Year’s Eve party might be a better option. Some of my favourite New Year’s memories have been spent with good friends in the pool. Plus it’s a great family New Year’s Eve theme too!
Summer cocktails or mocktails, a backyard BBQ and a few pool party games and backyard games to keep everyone entertained on a hot, balmy night.
8. Countdown Carnival
Bring the fun of the carnival to your New Year’s Eve celebration with a Countdown Carnival theme. Decorate with bright, bold colours, carnival games, and string lights.
Set up game booths with classic carnival games like ring toss, dart balloons, and a photo booth with silly props. Serve carnival-style food like popcorn, cotton candy, and corn dogs.
For drinks, create a fun “carnival cocktail” station with colourful mixed drinks. End the night with a festive countdown and a confetti explosion at midnight.
9. Glitter and Gold
Glitter and shades of gold have often been associated with a NYE celebration, so why not turn that into your theme? Shine bright with a Glitter and Gold-themed New Year’s Eve party by decorating with gold accents like balloons, glittering streamers, and plenty of sparkle.
Encourage guests to dress in their most dazzling attire, whether it’s a sequined dress, a sparkly tie, or a gold accessory. Set up a glittery photo booth, and serve sparkling drinks like champagne and glitter cocktails. For food, opt for gold-themed treats like golden cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries with gold dust, and sparkling sugar cookies.
Overall, a pretty simple theme but one that always goes down well.
10. Around the World
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an Around the World theme, where guests can experience different cultures and traditions from across the globe. Set up different areas of your space to represent various countries, complete with themed decorations, games, and food.
For example, have a “Paris” station with wine and cheese and a game of croquet set up on the lawn, a “Tokyo” station with sushi and sake, and an “Italy” station with pasta and prosecco.
Make your cooking load easier by having guests bring a dish from another part of the world – an international pot luck. This is a fun way to sample some traditional foods without you needing to become a master chef for the occasion.
Encourage guests to dress in traditional attire from their chosen country. This theme offers a fun and educational way to celebrate the New Year.
11. Disco Fever
Get groovy with a Disco Fever-themed New Year’s Eve party. Guests dress in their best ’70s-inspired outfits—think bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and glittery jumpsuits. Decorate with disco balls, neon lights, and bright colours.
Set up a dance floor with an overhead disco ball. Turn on a playlist of classic disco hits for the ultimate end-of-year dance party, and offer disco-themed cocktails like “Funky Fresh” mojitos or colourful punch.
For added fun, host a dance-off and a best-dressed contest. This theme is perfect for those who want to dance the night away and celebrate the New Year with a retro vibe.
12. Casino Night
Bring the excitement of Las Vegas to your New Year’s Eve celebration with a Casino Night theme. Set up different gaming tables with blackjack, poker, roulette, and other casino games.
Decorate with green felt table covers, playing cards, and casino chips. Encourage guests to dress in cocktail attire or as high-rollers.
Serve classic cocktails like martinis and offer a buffet of finger foods. You can even create fake money for guests to use at the tables, with a prize for the person with the most “winnings” at the end of the night – that way there are no tears after losing real money!
13. Fire and Ice
Create a dramatic contrast with a Fire and Ice-themed New Year’s Eve party. Decorate half of your space with fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, using elements like candles, lanterns, and red fabric. The other half should be icy blues, whites, and silvers, with snowflakes, ice sculptures, and frosty decor.
Have your friends to choose a side—either fire or ice—and dress accordingly. Serve fiery cocktails like spicy margaritas and cool drinks like blue slushies.
14. Silver and Sparkle
Celebrate the New Year with a dazzling Silver and Sparkle theme. Decorate with silver accents, glittering streamers, and lots of sparkle. Encourage guests to dress in silver, metallics, or sequined attire.
Set up a sparkling photo booth, and serve shimmering drinks like champagne and glitter-infused cocktails.
For food, offer silver-themed treats like chocolate-dipped strawberries with silver dust, silver macarons, and sparkling cupcakes. This theme is perfect for a glamorous and shimmering New Year’s Eve celebration, much like the gold and glitter theme does.
15. Neon Glow Party
Light up the night with a Neon Glow Party for New Year’s Eve. Decorate with black lights, neon decorations, and glow-in-the-dark elements. Have your guests wear neon or white clothing that will glow under the black lights.
Set up glow-in-the-dark games in the yard like glow bowling, glow-in-the-dark ring toss or even glow beer pong. Offer glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces. This all pairs perfectly with a high-energy playlist!
Serve neon-coloured drinks and snacks like Jell-O shots and fluorescent iced cupcakes. This theme is perfect for a high-energy, fun-filled celebration that will keep the party going all night long.
16. Speakeasy Soiree
Transport your guests to the Prohibition era with a Speakeasy Soiree. Create a secret entrance to your party, and decorate it with vintage elements like old-fashioned signs, dim lighting, and jazz music.
Encourage guests to dress in 1920s attire, complete with flapper dresses, feathered headbands, and fedoras. Serve classic cocktails like gin martinis, whiskey sours, and old fashioneds, and offer a selection of vintage-style appetisers.
This theme brings an air of mystery and nostalgia, perfect for a sophisticated New Year’s Eve celebration.
17. Decade Dress Up
Travel through time with a Decade Dress Up New Year’s Eve party. Assign a specific decade to each guest or allow them to choose their favourite—from the roaring ’20s to the groovy ’70s or the neon ’80s.
Decorate each area of your space to represent different decades, complete with era-appropriate music, decor, and snacks. Set up a photo booth with props from each decade, and offer a prize for the best-dressed guest.
This theme is a fun and nostalgic way to celebrate the New Year, bringing different eras together in one unforgettable night. It’s especially perfect for bringing in a new decade as well as a new year!
18. New Year’s Eve PJ Party
Keep things cozy and casual with a New Year’s Eve Pyjama Party. Invite guests to arrive in their comfiest pyjamas, onesies, or loungewear.
Decorate with cozy elements in your living room like soft blankets, pillows, and fairy lights. Set up a hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, and other toppings, and serve comfort foods like pizza, popcorn, and cookies.
Plan a movie marathon or board games to keep everyone entertained. At midnight, toast with sparkling cider or champagne, and enjoy a relaxed and laid-back celebration with your closest friends! Keep your guest list small since a smaller group is perfect for a pamper party!
19. New Year, New You Spa Party
Pamper yourself and your guests with a New Year, New You Spa Party. Transform your space into a relaxing spa retreat with scented candles, calming music, and soft lighting.
Set up DIY spa stations with face masks, manicures, and foot soaks, or hire a professional for massages or facials at your spa-themed party. Serve healthy snacks like fruit platters, smoothies, and herbal teas.
You could always add in some fun goal-setting for the new year and add some reflection of the past year together too before the fresh start of the new year arrives.
This theme focuses on self-care and rejuvenation, making it the perfect way to start the New Year feeling refreshed and renewed. This is also the perfect girl’s night NYE party theme.
20. Countdown Game Night
Add some friendly competition to your New Year’s Eve celebration with a Countdown Game Night. Set up different game stations around your space with classic board games, card games, or even video games.
Decorate with colourful streamers, balloons, and game-themed decor. Serve a variety of snacks and drinks, and consider offering small prizes for game winners. As midnight approaches, gather everyone for a final countdown game or trivia challenge before ringing in the New Year.
This theme is perfect for groups who love games and want to celebrate with laughter and fun all while having a quiet night in with friends and family. You can cozy up at the end of the night to watch the fireworks on TV or the Times Square ball drop. Relaxed, memorable moments with good company!
With your New Year’s Eve theme sorted, don’t go before planning some extra fun for the night of celebration! Check out these New Year’s Eve party games, with fun ideas for all ages, to make sure you have the most epic New Year’s Eve party EVER! Well… until next year, anyway!
Need more ideas to plan your entire night? Check these out:
