These 25 College Party Themes Guarantee a Fun Night
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So, you've decked out your dorm with all the must-have back-to-school products, slayed your way through the first few weeks of the semester, and now you're ready to celebrate by hosting your very own party. Congrats, bestie, the fun is only beginning. When it comes to throwing a college party, the top priority is for everyone to have the time of their lives, and picking a fun theme will ensure just that.
What's there not to love about a good party theme? Go with an '80s theme, and everyone will love dressing up in their vintage '80s costumes and go absolutely nuts when Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" comes on. Or think of all the savage Instagram captions that will hit the TL after your meme party. And watch your friends tap into their most creative selves when they try to put together a fit for your holiday-themed party.
It doesn't have to be a super complicated theme, though. You can throw a graffiti party where all you'd need is a black light and for everyone to rock white t-shirts and bring neon highlighters or paint. Everyone at your school has some sort of loungewear, so a pajama party is an easy option if you want to keep things super simple.
No matter if you're throwing a party at your sorority house, putting a massive event together with your school's student government, or you're just turning up in your dorm with your suite mates, these 25 college party themes will help you and your friends have an epic party you won't be able to forget.
Taylor Swift Eras Party
What better time to have a Taylor Swift Eras party than during the Eras Tour? Pick your fav Tay era, and dress in the overall vibe or color scheme.
Romantic Off Shoulder Long Sleeve Ruffle Mesh Mini Dress
Sequin Spaghetti Strap Crop Top
Snake Reputation In The World T-Shirt
Ruched Spaghetti Strap Bodycon Mini Dress
Western
Yeehaw! You know the drill for this one. It's time to put on a cowboy hat and your best denim, and partayyy.
Cowboy Hat with feathers With Heart Shaped Sunglasses
Jean Shorts
Cowboy Bandana
Rave Party
Glitter, neon, glow sticks, and EDM music on the aux are all musts for a rave-themed party. It's literally impossible not to have fun at a rave. Seriously, it's like scientifically proven.
Holographic Strappy Bikini Top, Bottom, Skirt 3 Piece Set
Radio Holographic Platform Ankle Boots
Stick On Face Jewels
Holographic Silver Body Glitter
Prom Party
Prom is one of the most magical moments from all four years of high school, so may as well relive it in college! You can even take it a step further and have everyone vote on a prom king and queen.
Floerns Women's Glitter Sleeveless Ruched Party Clubwear Bodycon Mini Dress Pink Petite S
Spaghetti Straps Homecoming Dresses
"Prom Court" Sash - Set of 2 - School Dance Graduation Party School Party Accessories, White with Gold Print …
Silver Tiara
Barbie and Ken
Come on Barbie (and Ken), let's go party! Deck yourself out in pink and dress up as America's fav doll.
Off Shoulder Flutter Half Sleeve Ruched Mesh Cocktail Bodycon Mini Dress Hot Pink XS
Statement Geometric Dangle Earrings
Chunky Platform Heels
Barbie Script Logo Necklace
Disney Party
Literally everyone has a favorite Disney character. Have everyone dress up like their favorite mouse, fish, princess, or toy and get the party started, Disney style.
Women's Spaghetti Strap Bodycon Maxi Dress
Solid Long Gloves
Sinestress Wig
Awards Show After Party
Host an awards show after party and have everyone dress up like their favorite artist. It will be so fun to see who everyone comes as, and even though there will prob be like 20 Taylor Swift costumes, she has so many iconic looks to choose from, it won't feel repetitive.
Maggie Floral Jacquard Party Dress
Elegant Short Faux Fur Coat
John Hughes Party
John Hughes was behind some of the most iconic movies of the 80s, meaning there are a ton of characters to dress up as for a party. Everyone has a fave character, whether it's Kevin McCallister in Home Alone, Claire Standish in The Breakfast Club or the titular character Ferris Bueller, they all have an extremely recognizable look to copy.
Ferris Bueller Vest Day Off
Basic Organically Grown Cotton Tee
Relaxed Knit Waist Cargo Capri Pant
Graffiti Party
Grab some old white t-shirts and a black light. Have your guests come in all white and hand them either neon paint or highlighters at the door. Everyone will have a blast drawing on each other while they dance the night away. Bonus: Cover the walls in paper so people can draw on those two.
High Neck Waffle Tank
Basic Organically Grown Cotton Hot Shorts
Apocalypse Party
Get ready to party like it's the end of the world. Guests can either choose to dress like zombies or people just trying to stay alive any way they can. That means lots of fake blood, ripped clothing, and great photo ops.
Graphic Print Distressed Crop Top
Makeup Blood Splatter
Save the Date Party
Celebrate your favorite day with a Save the Date Party. Go with October 3rd and dress up like the Plastics, or celebrate the end of prohibition on Dec 5, 1933, and dress up in your favorite flapper gear. There are countless possibilities, so you're bound to pick an epic one.
Gold Art Deco Flapper Costume
On Wednesdays We Wear PINK Tee Shirt
Meme Party
You'll have to get a little creative with this one. Dress up as your favorite meme and spend the night hysterically laughing as you check out everyone else's costumes.
Walter dog T-Shirt Meme Gift T-Shirt
Everything Is Fine Dog Drinking Coffee Burning Meme T-Shirt
Shrek Check Yourself Before You Shrek Yourself T-Shirt
"T" Party
No, that's not a typo. Throw a "T" party, where everyone has to dress up as something that starts with the letter "T". Toddlers and Tiaras, Timmy Turner, a literal tea bag — the options are endless!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TMNT Mens Costume T-Shirt(Donatello,Small)
TOBATOBA Silver Wedding Tiara for Women Crystal Tiaras and Crowns for Women Wedding Tiaras for Bride Royal Queen Crown Headband Princess Quinceanera Headpieces for Birthday Prom Pageant Party
TREORSI Blank Satin Sash, Plain Sash, Party Decorations, Make Your Own Sash (2 Pack, White)
Baseball Cap
Comfort Colors Adult Short Sleeve Tee, Style 1717, Crunchberry, Small
Pajama Party
Take a hint from your fave celebs and throw on those pjs. From a cute coordinated set to a hilarious onesie, your friends will have a lot of fun dressing up for this one, and the best part? When you get home, you can hop right in bed.
Women's Satin Pajama Set
Romwe Women's 2 Piece Pajama Set Cartoon Print Short Sleeve Tops and Shorts Lounge Set Black White Egg S
SweatyRocks Women's Cute Graphic Print Short Sleeve Crop Top with Shorts Pajama Set Black Skeleton S
WDIRARA Women's Sleepwear Satin Short Sleeve Shirt and Shorts Pajama Set Stripe Multicolor S
High School Party
Relive high school at this party where everyone dresses up as a classic high school stereotype. Jocks, nerds, goths — you'll have your pick.
Cheerleader Costume
HDE Nerd Halloween Costume Set Suspenders w/Glasses & Bow Tie for Men & Women (Black)
#11 No Name Football Jersey
Tight and Bright Party
Go simple with a tight and bright theme. The dress code is pretty straightforward: if it's tight and bright, it works. Bring out those 80s workout leggings and bodysuits for this one.
One Piece Swimsuit Tie Dye Bathing Suit
High Rise Biker Bermuda Shorts
Ultrafun Unisex Sports Sun Visor Adjustable UV Protection Sun Hat Cap for Beach Pool Golf Tennis (1Pack-Pink (Tie Dye))
127ft Neon Party Supplies Set, 6 Colors 98.4ft UV Blacklight Reactive Tape, 29ft Neon Paper Garlands Circle Dots Stars Hanging Decorations for Birthday Wedding Glow Party Decorations
Holidays Party
No matter what time of year it is, celebrate all the holidays with a festive theme party. Everyone comes dressed up like their favorite holiday. You can choose a big one, like the 4th of July, or go really niche, like national emoji day.
JOYIN 14 Christmas Headbands with Different Designs Christmas Party Holiday Headbands for Kids Women Men Christmas and Holiday Parties Christmas Party Favors (ONE Size FIT ALL)
Valentines Day Heart Headband
Tee Luv Lucky Charms T-Shirt - Green Lucky The Leprechaun Shirt (X-Large) Kelly Heather
When I Grow Up Party
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? This party is your chance to realize your dream! A ballerina? A cheerleader? A princess? Anything goes.
Dance Leotard
Dress Up America Lab Coat - 3/4 Length Doctor's Lab Coat for Men and Women - Great For Dress-up, Role-play and Cosplay
Lehauya Astronaut Costume Women Adult White Space Suit Astronaut Jumpsuit Space Onesie Adult Moon Costume X-Small
Anything But Clothes Party
The guidelines are pretty obvious with this one. Wear whatever you want...except actual clothes. That means it’s time to get creative and start looking through your trash. It's like Project Runway: College Edition.
Jumbo Playing Cards
18-in W x 16-in H x 18-in D Moving Box
Single Large Burlap Sack
Decades Party
Represent your favorite decade at this party. Either dress up as your favorite band from the era (like the Spice girls a la the 90s) or just go with a fit that represents the time. Have some fun going back in time.
Retro Windbreaker Jacket Headband Tracksuit
Go Go Gorgeous Costume
Velour Tracksuit
Candyland Party
Stock up on M&Ms and Starbursts because it's a Candyland party. Guests can dress up as their favorite sweet treats and indulge in their sweet tooth throughout the night.
Womens Cupcake Costume
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Shirt
Letter M Halloween Costumes T-Shirt
I'm a Chocolate Bar Duh T-Shirt
Ugly Sweater Party
It's time to break out your ugliest sweater. It's the perfect theme during the holidays when it's chilly, and you're in the Christmas spirit, but it can also be done all year round with nondenominational, ugly sweaters (we all have one).
Tipsy Elves Women's Light Up Christmas Sweater
Ugly Christmas Sweater Sea Creatures
Xmas Due To Inflation This Is My Christmas Ugly Sweaters T-Shirt
Christmas Sunglasses
You Are What You Eat Party
It's time to pay homage to your favorite snacks. Have you been subsisting on ramen since you moved into your dorm? Go as that. Do you find yourself at a pizza place after every night out? Express your love for food with this fun-themed party.
Salmon Sushi Roll Costume
3D Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup Sweatshirt
Cupcake Costume
Anything But Humans Party
This one works kind of like the anything but clothes party, except this time, you just can't dress up like a human. That means think of your favorite animal and go wild. The dance floor will look like a zoo.
Celestial Cat Costume Kit
Giraffe Onesie Costume
Animal Onesie Pajamas
Cow Onesie Pajamas
Dynamic Duos Party
Grab a friend or your S.O. and dress up as your favorite dynamic duo. Netflix and chill, Cher and Dionne, a cop and a donut. There are so many options.
Dionne Costume Kit
Cher Clueless Costume
Dc Comics Batman Costume Licensed Graphic Juniors T-Shirt w/Cape
DC Comics Robin Cape T-Shirt
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