Decade-themed parties are a fantastic way to transport guests to a specific time period, celebrating the fashion, music, culture, and trends that defined that era. These parties can be tailored to any decade, often providing a fun, nostalgic experience for attendees. Below are popular decade-themed party ideas, complete with suggestions for decorations, music, and activities.

1. 1920s (The Roaring Twenties) Party

  • Theme: Inspired by the flapper era, jazz, and the prohibition.
  • Attire: Flapper dresses, bobbed hairstyles, tuxedos, and fedoras.
  • Music: Jazz, big band music, and Charleston.
  • Activities: Charleston dance-off, casino games (like roulette and poker), photo booth with vintage props.
  • Decorations: Art Deco style, gold and black color scheme, feathers, pearls, and vintage glassware.
  • Food/Drinks: Classic cocktails like martinis and champagne, canapés, and finger foods.

2. 1930s (Great Depression & Hollywood Glamour) Party

  • Theme: The glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age, mixed with the effects of the Great Depression.
  • Attire: Vintage Hollywood stars, elegant gowns, and tuxedos.
  • Music: Swing, jazz, and classic film scores.
  • Activities: Movie trivia from the era, creating vintage movie posters, or a “Best Dressed” award for Hollywood stars.
  • Decorations: Black-and-white photos of classic Hollywood stars, gold accents, and vintage film reels.
  • Food/Drinks: Classic cocktails like the Sidecar, champagne, and small bites.

3. 1940s (World War II & Swing Era) Party

  • Theme: A mix of wartime patriotism, pin-up culture, and big band swing music.
  • Attire: Military-inspired outfits, Rosie the Riveter-style outfits, and vintage dresses.
  • Music: Swing, big band, and jazz, with artists like Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra.
  • Activities: Swing dance contest, pin-up girl photoshoot, or a WWII trivia game.
  • Decorations: Propaganda posters, vintage suitcases, and red, white, and blue color schemes.
  • Food/Drinks: Classic cocktails like the Manhattan, and ration-inspired treats or hearty American fare.

4. 1950s (Rock ‘n’ Roll & Sock Hop) Party

  • Theme: Rock ‘n’ roll music, drive-in diners, and the rise of teen culture.
  • Attire: Poodle skirts, leather jackets, grease-styled hair, and saddle shoes.
  • Music: Rock ‘n’ roll, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry.
  • Activities: Twist contest, hula hoop competition, or a sock hop dance-off.
  • Decorations: Jukeboxes, checkered floors, diner booths, vinyl records, and neon lights.
  • Food/Drinks: Milkshakes, burgers, fries, and classic American diner fare.

5. 1960s (Hippie & Mod Era) Party

  • Theme: The cultural revolution, the rise of the hippie movement, and Mod fashion.
  • Attire: Tie-dye shirts, bell-bottoms, peace signs, mini skirts, and psychedelic patterns.
  • Music: Rock, pop, and folk music, with artists like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and The Supremes.
  • Activities: Dance-off to ’60s music, peace sign crafting, or a psychedelic art station.
  • Decorations: Bright colors, peace signs, vinyl records, and flower power.
  • Food/Drinks: Hippie-inspired vegetarian dishes, fondue, and psychedelic cocktails (like a “Cosmic Cooler”).

6. 1970s (Disco Fever & Funk) Party

  • Theme: Disco balls, funky outfits, and the birth of the nightclub scene.
  • Attire: Bell-bottom pants, platform shoes, polyester suits, and jumpsuits.
  • Music: Disco, funk, and soul music, with artists like Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, and KC & the Sunshine Band.
  • Activities: Disco dance contest, limbo, or a funk music trivia game.
  • Decorations: Disco balls, neon lights, retro posters, and groovy patterns.
  • Food/Drinks: Classic cocktails like the Tequila Sunrise and the Harvey Wallbanger, along with finger foods like cheese fondue.

7. 1980s (New Wave & Pop Culture Explosion) Party

  • Theme: The rise of pop culture, neon colors, and big hair.
  • Attire: Neon leg warmers, mullets, leather jackets, and high-waisted pants.
  • Music: Pop, new wave, and rock with artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper.
  • Activities: “Name That 80s Tune” quiz, Rubik’s Cube competition, or an aerobics contest.
  • Decorations: Neon lights, cassette tapes, arcade machines, and posters of 80s icons.
  • Food/Drinks: Jell-O shots, Pop Rocks, and classic 80s snacks like pizza rolls.

8. 1990s (Grunge & Pop) Party

  • Theme: Grunge fashion, boy bands, and the rise of the internet and tech.
  • Attire: Flannel shirts, crop tops, baggy jeans, and platform sneakers.
  • Music: Grunge, pop, and hip-hop with artists like Nirvana, Spice Girls, and Tupac.
  • Activities: Karaoke with ’90s hits, a Tamagotchi or Beanie Baby station, or a retro tech display (like an old-school computer).
  • Decorations: VHS tapes, retro tech gadgets, and iconic 90s TV shows and movie posters.
  • Food/Drinks: Dunkaroos, Gushers, and themed cocktails like “Cosmic Slushies.”

9. 2000s (Y2K & Early Internet Age) Party

  • Theme: The rise of the internet, boy bands, and early 2000s pop culture.
  • Attire: Low-rise jeans, trucker hats, graphic tees, and rhinestone accessories.
  • Music: Pop, punk, and R&B with artists like Britney Spears, NSYNC, and Eminem.
  • Activities: Lip-sync battles to early 2000s hits, a flip phone relay race, or a throwback fashion contest.
  • Decorations: Pixelated graphics, MySpace references, and neon lights.
  • Food/Drinks: “Spiked” fruit punch, energy drinks, and classic 2000s snacks.

10. 2010s (Social Media & EDM) Party

  • Theme: The rise of social media, reality TV, and EDM culture.
  • Attire: Casual chic, athleisure, and trendy, Instagram-inspired fashion.
  • Music: EDM, hip-hop, and pop with artists like Kanye West, Avicii, and Ariana Grande.
  • Activities: Instagram photo booth, TikTok-inspired dance challenges, and Snapchat filters.
  • Decorations: LED lights, selfie stations, and popular memes or viral trends.
  • Food/Drinks: Craft cocktails, avocado toast, and social media-themed snacks.

Tips for Planning Decade-Themed Parties:

  • Music: Tailor the playlist to fit the era’s most iconic songs.
  • Games & Activities: Incorporate decade-appropriate games or challenges (e.g., limbo, trivia, or dance-offs).
  • Food & Drinks: Serve popular food and drinks from the decade, whether it’s 80s neon candy or 90s snack nostalgia.
  • Decorations: Choose bold, era-specific decorations that instantly transport guests to the past.
  • Dress Code: Encourage guests to come in costume, either by dressing up or offering party accessories like wigs or props.

Decade-themed parties provide a great opportunity for creativity and fun while paying homage to the culture and trends of a specific time period. Whether you’re reliving the glam of the ’70s or the grunge of the ’90s, guests will enjoy the nostalgia and energy that come with celebrating a bygone era!