Browse these 40 dinner party themes; you are sure to find the perfect party idea that is easy for the hostess and fun for all your guests.
What is a themed party
A dinner party where all the food and decorations are made according to one theme. The theme might revolve around a nationality, movie, game, a season, or a time in history.
Why have a themed dinner party
Whether it's getting the guests to dress up in a fun costume, all the food dishes having a similar theme, or just organizing some fun games and activities, a theme for the party helps tie it all together, so guests have a great time together.
How to host
Throwing a themed dinner party takes a little bit of organization at first. However, the good part about having a themed dinner is it narrows down your choices for what to serve and how to decorate. It also makes it easier to choose activities centered around the food and your theme.
Start a plan, and it does not have to be elaborate. A simple brainstorming session for ideas will get the ball rolling. I have a brain dump page you can download in my free party planner below.
Party planner checklist
Get this Free Printable Party Planner to help you easily throw a fun and memorable party. This planner will keep the process of planning a party easy.
- Brainstorming and party details sheet
- Guestlist
- Menu
- Decorations
- Entertainment
- Day of the party schedule
- Count down to-do checklist
- Party space grid planner sheet
- Free printable banner with letters
You can make these pdf pages into a party binder by printing all the pages, hole punch them, and place them in a notebook.
Learn how to throw a great dinner party
If you have been hosting dinner parties for years or new to opening your home to guests, you will enjoy fresh ideas and tips on hosting in these books.
Good themes for a party
Below I have gathers some great themed party ideas for you to try. From ethnic-themed dinners, sports-themed parties centered around a food type to a few fun interactive dinner parties.
Dinner party ideas
Scroll through these fun dinner party themes, one is sure to be a hit with you and your guest!
Mexican dinner party
Try these Easy Mexican Party Theme Ideas and Recipes, your friends and family will be raving how clever you are for throwing such a great party! Everything you need to throw a great Mexican themed dinner party!
Italian dinner party
An Italian Dinner Party theme will create a festive memorable dinner party. Learn how to throw an easy dinner party using traditional Italian decor and authentic Italian recipes.
Mardi gras dinner party
Speakeasy dinner party
Good potluck dinner themes
Choosing a theme for a potluck makes it easier for guests to know what to bring. Try one of these or any within this post.
- Flash-back: A favorite dish your mom made when you were little.
- Dinner & A Movie: Choose a movie to show after dinner and have everyone bring a dish according to what might be served in the movie. There are several Disney movie theme ideas below.
- National Cusine: This is a lot of fun. Try Mexican, Italian, Japanese, German, French, and so forth.
- Copycat Dinner: This would be so much fun. Everyone brings a dish that a restaurant is known for. For example, my Wendy's Copycat Chili recipe.
- Tailgate Party: This would be fun to do while watching a sporting event.
- Rainbow Dinner: Everyone is assigned a color and a course.
- 5 Ingredients or Less: Simple is sometimes best!
- Rolled Dinner: Everything must be rolled up or in a roll.
- Baked Potato Bar: You supply the baked potatoes, and everyone else brings toppings.
- Picnic: This would be a fun potluck to do when the weather is nice, and you could meet in a park. Or it would be a lot of fun to spread out a big table cloth on your living room floor in front of the fireplace on a cold winter night.
- Food On A Stick: Corndogs, shish kabobs, grilled corn on a stick, or anything else you can fill a stick with.
- Baseball Park Food: Anything from hot dogs, nachos to beer.
Tips for potluck themed dinner
- Choose a theme that lends itself to easy potluck dishes, and that would be fun and easy for your guest.
- Easy Sign-Up: Create an event with a sign-up that everyone can see, such as a text, email, or maybe a signup service like Take Them A Meal will all work.
- Portions: After everyone is signed up, let them know how many people their dish should feed. This is a great way to remind them about the party and answer any questions they might have.
Masters golf dinner party
Throwing a Masters Dinner Party with your golf enthusiast friends will be easy with these Masters party ideas. Learn simple decorating tips, ideas for what to wear, and recipes to help you serve traditional foods from the Masters.
Farm to table dinner party
Farm to Table Home Decorative Table Cover
Gameday dinner party
Host a Game Day Dinner Party when the next big game comes on TV. These game day party food bars are fun and easy to feed a crowd while watching your favorite team play. Get tips for decorating, setting up a foobar, and recipe ideas for the next big game day.
Breakfast dinner parties
Backyard dinner parties
Create a fun and easy outdoor party with these healthy Backyard Dinner Party Ideas and decorating tips. It's an easy casual dinner party that your friends and family will enjoy.
Soup party
Tomkat shares tips on hosting a fun and fabulous Soup Party complete with an array of soup flavors, toppings, appetizers, + dessert (of course).
Murder mystery dinner
Murder Mystery Party
Everything you need for throwing an unforgettable dinner party, including recipes, place cards, and a well-thought out murder. This entertaining kit is wonderful for breaking the ice between new friends or adding a new angle to a gathering of old buddies, setting the stage for each guest to play a role as a suspect in a mystery set in California wine country. Kit includes a party planner including a menu with themed recipes, music and decorating tips, eight place cards, and invitations, and booklets for all suspects including their roles and background information. The mystery unfolds along with your evening, with a CD that gets things rolling and six secret clues you reveal along the way. Six to eight players.
Chili cook off dinner
Hosting a chili dinner is a great opportunity to have a chili cook-off. Have all your guests bring a small pot of their best chili recipe. Pick some judges and award prizes for the best tasting, spiciest, and most unique. This would be so much fun and easy on the hostess.
Chili Cook Off Wood Spoon Prizes
Red Green and Yellow Chili Pepper Lights
Holiday themed dinner party
Shushi party
Moroccan dinner party
Bohemian backyard dinner party
DIY pizza party
Casino Theme Party Decorations
French inspired dinner party
The Blond Abroad has all the details that will help you throw a French-inspired Dinner Party. Everything from music, lighting, decor, and recipes.
Wine and dine paring menu
Virtual dinner party
Disney dinner parties
Winter dinner party theme
60 Pack Winter Wonderland Snowflake
Valentines dinner
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