College wouldn’t be college without parties, let’s face it. Not only do they help students blow off stress, they are a terrific way to meet new people, participate in fun activities, and simply celebrate the jump from home to the “real world” where you’re on your own.
You may find yourself overwhelmed, though, when trying to come up with a theme to make your college party exciting and memorable. Below are 150 unique themes, with something to please any budget or preference!
1. Clothing Not Required
Well, maybe that’s not exactly how it should be worded, but for a truly hilarious party, have guests come wearing anything but clothes!
The most inventive person definitely deserves a prize, but other than that nominal cost, this party is its own entertainment. For extra fun, serve drinks in “anything but glasses.”
2. Cocktail Contest
With this college party theme, all you need are guests with a little ingenuity. Choose a cocktail and have everyone make their own version of it and then pick a winner.
For extra fun, award someone for having made the worst-tasting cocktail. Have traditional bar snacks such as peanuts or hors d’oeuvres and maybe even watch the old, iconic movie Cocktail starring Tom Cruise.
3. Throw a Luau
Everybody loves a luau, and it’s not difficult to create an aloha atmosphere on a budget. Decorate with tiki torches, flowers, and bright colors, and serve tropical cocktails while playing beach tunes.
Tell guests to show up in Hawaiian shirts, leis, or grass skirts and have everyone perform their best island dance.
4. Get Your Game On
This is the perfect party theme for those who enjoy games. Have various games available from which to choose, like Twister, charades, or Trivia. Having a small prize for the winner of each game is a fun twist if you’re not averse to spending a modest amount of money.
Decorate in black and red for a checkers theme, serve geek cocktails, and use a giant dictionary as a centerpiece for extra fun.
5. Karaoke Competition
If you need to throw a college party on a budget, throw a karaoke bash and tell everyone it’s a BYOB event. Invest in a few inexpensive items for first, second, and third prizes, and have each person give their best performance.
If you really want to put your guests through the ringer, hand out a prize for “worst performance” and dare the person to have the performance posted on social media.
6. Have a Spa Party
Although this party idea is on the expensive side if you pay for it yourself, a spa party can be a fantastic way to have fun with your friends. This is also a great theme for sororities!
You can spring for everyone, or invite each person to pay for their spa services. If you do the latter, make sure to spring for a round of drinks afterwards.
7. Partying and Studying DO Mix
Do you have a lot of career-oriented “Type-A” friends? If so, consider a studying party, where you hit the books and earn a drink or a party treat for every study hour.
See who can last the longest and how many guests are still on their feet at the end. This college party theme is relatively inexpensive, and no decorations are required!
8. Get Wild
Choose a jungle-themed party for something that’s sure to please everyone. Have your guests come dressed as their favorite jungle animal, or simply decorate safari style and serve “survival” fare.
For added fun, play drinking games like Fuzzy Duck or Where’s the Water? This party theme is relatively inexpensive but can be loads of fun!
9. Have a Toga Party
You can’t go wrong with a classic college toga party! The dress code is inspired by Greek and Roman traditions, so ask your party guests to don their best togas and olive leaf crowns.
Gold and white are the colors, and decorations are as simple as draped white bedsheets and artificial greenery. Play Taskmaster at this party and see who can stay sober all night.
10. I Got a Secret!
This great party is themed around a game, and best of all, it’s free! Guests take turns daring each other to do something.
If a person refuses, the other one has permission to tell a secret about that person to everyone else. The twist is, those who refuse the dares are risking finding out the hard way if the other one really knows a secret about them and what it might be!
11. Horseplay
If your partygoers are the outdoor type and not that much into drinking, consider a riding party. Depending on how big your group is, this could be a bit costly.
However, you can have a potluck picnic to eliminate food costs, and mother nature will take care of the decorations!
12. Disco the Night Away
For a low-budget party that’s loads of fun, have your own version of Saturday Night Fever and give a prize for the best John Travolta outfit.
Play disco tunes, hang some of those famous silver dance balls from the ceiling, and serve classic 70s drinks, such as grasshoppers, Brandy Alexanders, and an Old Fashioned.
13. Spin the Wheel of Fortune
Have a wheel of fortune party during which all your guests take turns answering the trivia questions. Reward everyone who gets one right with a shot until someone is the last person standing.
Do retro decorations surrounding all things trivia, and try bagel bites, chicken fingers, and macaroni salad for budget-friendly food.
14. Ugliest Guest
See just how ugly your party can get by inviting people to show up with the ugliest outfit- makeup- hairdo imaginable.
This party doesn’t have to be expensive, but you should invest a little money into some prizes to give out to the person who manages to top Frankenstein in the ugly department. However, prizes can be as simple as a scratch-off ticket!
15. Prettiest Guest
See if your guest list can challenge themselves to be gorgeous. This party theme can be more fun than just about anything.
Let the men compete with the women and don their wins and lipstick and see if they can out-pretty their female competition.
16. Lip Sync Bash
If you remember the old lip-synch competitions, you know exactly how much fun they are. Strike up your favorite music device and have your guests compete.
Make a few of the partygoers the judges, and create a scoring method. Decorate with those retro blow-up lips, stage colors like silver and white, and have the “announcer” dress like LL Cool J–the real-life host of Lip Synch Battle.
17. Secret Santa
Nothing’s more fun than a Secret Santa party, and this party theme is easy to implement and cheap to fund. Of course, everyone knows what Secret Santa is, so they must show up with a gift for whichever name they drew.
Classic Santa Claus and Christmas decorations work well with this theme, and you can serve drinks such as nutty Irishman, hot toddies, and of course, spiked eggnog.
18. Masquerade
Everyone loves a masquerade, and you can use this idea to throw an unforgettable college party. Have everybody come in full costume, and give out prizes to those who can guess who is who.
For a different spin, have guests merely come with an extravagant mask, and vote on their favorite. Just think Mardi Gras for the decor, food, and drinks, and you’re all set!
19. Flannel Party
If you’re looking for a low-key college party that’s still a lot of fun, why not throw a flannel party? Have everyone dress up in their favorite flannel, from shirts to full pajama sets, and have some spiced rum or hot chocolate.
This is a great party for outdoors, and you can easily combine it with a country theme, such as a hayride or a marshmallow toasting session.
20. Grammy Party
Have a Grammy night party, and the fun will take care of itself. Serve classic TV- movie theater snacks, like popcorn and peanuts, and decorate with a trophy theme.
Tell your guests to reenact a solo scene from a movie and see if the others can guess which one it is. Serve Hollywood martinis and Mae Wests.
21. White Shirt Party
Who says white shirts are boring? Throw a white shirt party and have your friends show up in their favorite white shirts.
Just make sure it’s one they can part with, because the goal of this party is to decorate the shirt with highlighters, spray-on color, or even glitter. Have colorful drinks like pink ladies and grasshoppers, and decorate with balloons and streamers in primary colors.
22. Pet Party
If your group of guests is pet-friendly and nobody has a giant pitbull, consider a pet party. Everybody brings their furry friend to have their own version of a pet parade.
This is especially fun if people have pets such as turtles or snakes. Anything goes for drinks with this party, but decorations should definitely be animal themed!
23. Glitter Party
Gitter is a fabulous theme for a college party! Fill balloons with confetti and create a game around guessing which are empty and which will come with an explosive surprise.
Have all the guests wear glitter in some way, from eyeshadow to body glitter, and only serve drinks that sparkle. For drinking games, play Mushroom or Ride the Bus for loads of laughs.
24. Scary Movie Party
Host a scary movie party for some spooky fun. Decorate with cobwebs and spiders, and play or stream the scariest movie you can think of.
Have Halloween candy and gothic cocktails, and see if you can do something extra to take the fun to the next level. (Think dangling a plastic spider in front of someone or putting a fake mouse in the bowl of potato chips)
25. Friends Party
If you watched the iconic comedy “Friends,” try this as a theme for your event. Have everyone come as a cast member, and award the person who looks the most like the actor he or she picked.
Wear 90s clothes, play tunes from that decade–including the show’s theme song–and have fun with traditional party decorations and classic highball cocktails.
26. Superbowl Party
Don’t forget a traditional Super Bowl party when that big day rolls around. This party is not extremely costly, but you’ll have to invest in some classic Super Bowl food, like chicken wings, pizza, and chips, and pretzels.
Naturally, decorations should be football themed, and you may even want to have a quick game of your own before the big event starts. Cold beer and Jack Daniels are musts for this party! Obviously, this would be a great theme for a fraternity!
27. School Stereotypes Party
For a lively party that requires very little money, host a high school stereotypes party. Serve simple drinks and party snacks and revisit your school in a fun way.
Everyone shows up as a classic high school stereotype, such as the nerd, the spoiled rich kid, the Goth queen, or the goody two shoes. Set out some books and pencils and put school flags on the wall to set the theme.
28. Polar Bear Plunge
If it’s winter when you’re having your college party, find a lake or stream and challenge your friends to take the Polar bear plunge.
Bring a cooler with some brandy and also some thermoses of hot drinks to warm back up. Give a prize to whoever is willing to take the plunge first, and then head back to someone’s house or dorm for some cocktails and dancing.
29. Cinco de Mayo Party
Take advantage of Cinco de Mayo and turn it into an excuse to throw a party. Stock up on the Tequila and hold a traditional 5th of May fiesta.
Use Mexican-themed decorations and serve tacos, burritos, and fried ice cream. At just the cost of the food and decorations, this party is pretty budget-friendly.
30. Coffee Party
Looking for a simple party theme that will get everyone’s adrenaline going? Throw a coffee celebration. Invest in a variety of flavored coffees and serve pastries and doughnuts.
For extra fun, add amaretto or Irish cream to some of the coffee concoctions. Warning- this party may not be the cheapest one you’ll ever throw, but it is definitely original!
31. Paint Party
Virtually everyone loves to paint, so take this theme to the next level and throw a paint party. Decorate with bright colors and serve colorful drinks.
Focus the party on painting an actual object as a group effort, such as a bookcase or bureau, or take it in the direction of face painting and unleash your inner kid.
32. Jurassic Park Party
Dinosaur-themed parties are easy! Make everything jumbo size, from the pizzas to the balloons, and watch that old classic one more time.
Safari decor works for this theme, and good old-fashioned beer is fancy enough for the drinks. To make this extra fun, break out the Jurassic Park board game and challenge your guests to see who still remembers.
33. Banish Stress in a Party Atmosphere
Get together to ditch the stress. Serve comfort food, play classic rock, and use traditional decorations.
Have everyone bring their favorite stress buster, whether it’s a yoga mat, stress ball, body brush, incense, or meditation device. This party doesn’t require anything special other than food and drinks, proving it’s not necessary to spend a fortune to have a great time.
34. Tribute Party
Why not host a tribute party to a celebrity or singer who is no longer among us? For example, create a Michael Jackson-themed party and dress up as characters from Thriller and dance to his best tunes.
Another foolproof idea is watching a few Patrick Swayze movies and doing a little dirty dancing of your own. It’s a fun way to pay homage to talented people who left this world too soon.
35. Have a Traditional Barbeque
Don’t overlook an old-fashioned barbecue, because this type of party is always a winner. Tell guests to dress casually, and serve plain old-fashioned beer and wine coolers with the food.
If your budget doesn’t allow for a lot of food shopping, turn this into a semi-potluck party, where you make the barbecue, and everyone else brings side dishes.
36. Garden Party
If you want something fun but not wild, have a simple outdoor party, where you indulge in picnic food and some beer or wine.
Engage in simple activities like frisbee or croquet, and play some beach tunes, classical music, or crowd-pleasing top 40s.
37. Come As You Are
This party theme is simple and easy because, as its name implies, you simply call everyone you want to attend, and tell them to drop what they’re doing and come as they are.
It’s fun when some guests show up in T-shirts and jeans and others come straight from a job interview in a suit and tie. Get some classic drinks, serve hamburgers and fries, and indulge in a few rounds of beer pong.
38. Take a Minute for a Party
Center your party theme around the popular TV show Minute it to Win it. Hold a game of your own and hand out prizes for those who manage to make the deadline.
This party goes great with simple food like pizza or wings, and beer or soda are fancy enough for beverages. Use simple decorations, or none at all, as this party theme doesn’t need them.
39. Ice Cream Party
Just because you’re grown up, doesn’t mean your favorite dessert is forgotten. This party isn’t expensive, but to do it right, you have to invest in as many different flavors of ice cream as you can afford.
Set up a topping bar, and have all your friends come to make the biggest, best sundae they ever had. Use birthday-type decorations and streamers, or use candy-themed décor in bright colors.
40. Cheap Wine and Perfume
Have a “wine tasting” party, but do it on a budget. Have everyone bring a $10 bottle of wine, and become “tasters,” who eventually vote on the best cheap wine.
For a funny touch, ask everyone to wear their cheapest perfume or cologne, and give a prize to the worst-scented guest. Serve wings or sandwiches, or any inexpensive food that goes with cheap wine, and use homespun decorations to stay with the “cheap” theme.
41. Pool Party
If you have a swimming pool or access to one, wonder no more about what type of party to have. Pool parties are some of the funnest events during college, and everyone loves them.
Make sure you have a source for music and set up a poolside bar. Decorate with fairy lights, tiki torches, or any beach-themed decor you can find.
42. Beer Olympics
Don’t forget this classic college favorite. Schedule some beer Olympics, and have teams of guests compete in various drinking games.
You can use alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks because it will be just as fun either way. Simple decorations are fine for this type of party, but traditional party snacks are a must!
43. Retro Rave Party
Get the best dance music you can think of, and decorate with plenty of neon for a terrific retro rave party. Put up sparkly foil curtains, and create a makeshift dance floor to complete the decor.
Invest a moderate amount of money in this theme, and hand out glow sticks and similar party favors. Think colorful cocktails and classic party snacks, and you’re all set!
44. Roaring 20s Party
Roaring 20s parties have been popular since… well… the roaring 20s. Have everyone dress up in their best 1920s costumes, and make the decorations big and bold.
Play or stream some jazz music, and keep the energy high with contests, and games.
Don’t forget to get some pictures for social media of this great novelty party.
45. Geocaching
If your guests are outdoor lovers, think outside the box and consider holding a geocaching party. This doesn’t have to be expensive, since no decorations are necessary.
However, you should pack some hiking snacks and nonalcoholic drinks for your trek. Come back indoors for some refreshing fruity cocktails and cookies or cake.
46. Blacklight Party
Blacklight parties are hit with everyone. Ask guests to wear at least some white, cut the lights, and let the blacklights do their thing.
Glow sticks are also a good idea for this party theme, and they can serve as inexpensive party favors. Make sure you get paper plates and cups in blacklight-friendly white, and decorate with this in mind as well.
47. Whose Baby is That?
For a lot of fun and laughs, have your guests bring pictures or videos of themselves as babies and have a blast trying to guess who’s who.
For this great party idea, serve simple snacks that you loved when you were a kid, like rice crispy bars, Oreo cookies, ice cream, or mac & cheese with highball drinks.
48. Zen Themed Party
Do you and your pals want to relax more than bounce off the walls? Have a Zen-themed party. Burn incense, listen to meditation playlists, and maybe even give each other a massage.
Blend up frosty fruit drinks and make up a vegetable, nut, and fruit tray to keep this party in your budget. Don’t forget to tell your guests to dress earthy!
49. Disney Party
We all love Disney regardless of our age, so take a trip down memory lane and have a Disney-themed party.
Ask everyone to dress up as their favorite Disney character, keeping it traditional, along the lines of Mickey Mouse, or opening it up to any Disney character at all.
Serve spiked Shirley temples or iced tea for a deceptively innocent Disney look, or keep it NA. Either option will be loads of fun.
50. Scavenger Hunt Party
Hold a scavenger hunt party for a nominal amount of money, by sending your guests on a chase around the campus for various items.
The first person to come back with the most items on the list receives a prize. Finish off the party with those traditional favorites, pizza, beer, and a game of drunk Jenga!
51. Casino Night
Anyone who loves to try their luck at cards or other casino-style games will enjoy a casino night-themed party. Use white, black, and red for party colors, and use dice, shakers and green felt to complete the decor.
Serve casino-style drinks and classic party favorites like Chex mix. Play the beer game “Sixes” to round out this theme.
52. Murder Mystery Party
If you have some guests who love a good challenge, have a murder mystery college party. Although this party may be a bit costly, it will also be unforgettable!
Assign roles to each guest, and let them have fun trying to figure out the mystery. For extra fun, set a time limit for solving the murder.
53. Party Magic
Almost everyone enjoys a good magic show, so why not hold one of your own and turn it into a party?
Instruct your guests to learn at least one magic trick and demonstrate it at the party. Decorate with black-and-white balloons and silver glitter, and tell guests to come with capes, top hats, or any props they want.
54. Zombie Apocalypse Party
For a truly epic party, you can’t miss with a zombie apocalypse party. This theme works anytime of the year, not just at Halloween.
Decorate as if the apocalypse has already occurred. Serve party classics like burgers and pizza, or even some spooky food options, such as mummy crescent roll hotdogs or mini-bagel pizzas with the cheese worked on in the shape of a ghost.
55. Foam Party
That old standby foam party cannot be forgotten. If you want to invest a bit of money, get a foam machine and go crazy with this theme.
If you’re working with a budget, just water and one bottle of soap can make enough foam to fill the room. But make sure you enlist someone to help you clean up!
56. Jeopardy Party
Almost everybody loves a Jeopardy party, so this is the perfect choice if you want everyone to join in the party atmosphere.
Decorate in bright colors, serve fancy cocktails, and make sure to give a prize to the person who “wins” the most.
57. Clue Inspired Party
If you want a mystery-themed party, have everyone come dressed up like their favorite Clue character.
Decorate with peacock feathers, green balloons, and anything that will remind your guests of one of the clue characters. Give a prize for the best costume, and play a game of drunk Twister!
58. Graffiti Party
If you’re planning to paint a certain room in your apartment and you have the landlord’s permission, have a graffiti party to kiss the old paint goodbye.
Have everyone bring a can of spray paint or a marker and create your own version of a Picasso. Decorate with bright, primary colors, or use a neon party light to complete this theme.
59. Big Hair Party
For an inexpensive party, let the guests be the entertainment with their big hair. Ask everyone to create a retro hairstyle, and maybe even an outfit to match.
Try to guess which big hair decade each style is from and play drinking games that were popular in those decades.
60. Ugly Christmas Sweater Bash
Everyone knows Christmas sweaters became more bizarre as time went on, but they have now morphed into their own fun party theme.
Have your guests don the ugliest Christmas sweater around, and give out a prize for the worst one. Play your favorite drinking game and see if any of the sweaters start looking more attractive as the night goes on.
61. Meme Party Fun
If you’re seriously into memes, this party theme will be highly enjoyable. Gather your friends for beer and hot wings, and see who knows the most memes–and who was clueless!
You can be very creative with this theme by basing costume ideas on what memes are trending at the moment. Use free emoji-themed decorations, and enjoy a lot of fun for a moderate price tag.
62. Animal Crossing Party
Host a party that makes you remember one of the finest things from your childhood: animal games. Have an Animal Crossing party and ask guests to come dressed as their favorite critter.
Use animal-themed décor, serve animal crackers, and make it a pet-friendly party if no one has allergies or an aversion to furry creatures.
63. Pajama Party
Hold a pajama party for a ton of fun. This doesn’t mean that everyone has to sleep over, but rather just show up in sleeping attire.
From comfy to sexy, this party is bound to be unforgettable. Serve classic cocktails and beer, but also have nighttime drinks on hand, like hot chocolate or sleepytime tea.
64. Go Goth
If you want something completely different from the typical college party, try a Gothic theme. Use black roses, a candelabra centerpiece, and black champagne glasses, which of course, you’ll fill with red wine.
Have your guests dress in black, and play music by The IntroIneffable Orchestra or The Prophetess.
65. St. Patrick’s Day Party
If you’re planning a party in March, you know you’re in for fun if you make the theme St. Patrick’s Day. Decorate with four-leaf clovers, green and white balloons and streamers, and serve cookies and cake with green sparkles.
Serve drinks like the Irish Maid or the Drunk Leprechaun and hand out shiny green party beads for favors. A good St. Patrick’s Day party isn’t super cheap, but it’s not over-the-top expensive.
66. Buffet Party
If you have friends who are foodies, have a classic buffet and center the fun around food. Although footing the bill to feed a lot of people can get expensive, you don’t have to worry about extravagant decorations or drinks.
Beer and wine go great with buffets, and for entertainment, you can simply turn on the music and let guests dance the night away.
67. Christmas in July Party
The only thing more fun than a Christmas-themed party is having it in July. Make a tree from beach balls, and serve candy cane martinis and red and green snow cones.
Tell guests to come in red and green summer clothes and head to the beach to make a snowman out of sand.
68. Icebreaker Party
This party idea isn’t so much about decorations and food as it is about people. Ask people from other sororities or fraternities to join you in an icebreaker party.
Invite people from other wings of your dorm, or individuals you recognize from class but don’t really know very well. This is a great way to have a get-together and make extra friends for the rest of the year.
69. Punk Out Party
Make a party theme around that thing you were never allowed to do when you lived at home: punk out. Let everyone come in their most outrageous outfits and hairstyles, and blast some grunge rock.
Serve up classic beer and party foods, and stream some punk rock karaoke tunes for whoever decides to get drunk and play the fool!
70. Party Til Dawn
Have a classic all-nighter college party! This requires very little ingenuity, just a place where you can party till sunrise.
Guests can bring pajamas and make a night of it, or just come as they are and crash when they’re ready. Make breakfast the next morning for your guests, or you can all hit the local pancake house to be served in style.
71. A New Twist on an Old Favorite
If your budget allows, you can have a truly unique scavenger hunt party. Find some interesting and unusual recipes for drinks, and divide your party guests into teams.
Give them each a list of the ingredients and the money to buy them, and the first team to get back with the items gets first dibs on the cocktails.
72. Bonfire Bash
If you have an appropriate area to make a bonfire, then try this super inexpensive party by getting some packs of hot dogs and marshmallows, and inviting your friends to toast them over an open flame.
Have pie and ice cream or fruit salad, and enjoy cocktails and beer while you finish up with a sing-along.
73. Pumpkin Carving Fun
Although it may sound silly at first, this party idea is tons of fun! Use fall decorations and serve coffee, tea, or hot chocolate–spiked or not–and have a carving contest.
Tell everyone to bring a pumpkin, and have some ribbons on hand for first, second, and third prizes. Afterwards, light candles inside each pumpkin and set them all along the porch or deck, and enjoy your drinks as the sun goes down.
74. House of Cards
Building a house of cards and indulging in some beer or cocktails can be a hilarious combination. It’s also a party idea that’s practically free.
See how many stories you can build in your house of cards, taking one drink in between each turn. The person who finally topples the structure has to serve the next round of drinks to the rest.
75. Trampoline Party
If your party pals like physical activity as opposed to drinking and dancing, have a trampoline party. If you own one of these super fun contraptions, set it up and let everyone take turns.
See who can do the most extravagant performance and finish up with an outdoor cookout or picnic meal.
76. Superhero Party
A lot of people love superheroes, even more, when they hit college than they did as a child. Have everyone come to your party dressed up as their favorite, and decorate with Superman, Batman, or other iconic superhero themes.
If any of the partygoers has a Marvel comic book collection or something similar, tell that guest to bring it along for a fun superheroes show and tell. Serve kryptonite or Ironman cocktails.
77. Come as Your Future Profession Party
Obviously, you are in college for more than parties, so why not use future careers as the party theme? Have everyone dress up as what they hope to be once they graduate.
Serve finger food, hors d’oeuvres, and champagne to celebrate your careers in advance. This is particularly fun if there are people at the party who don’t know each other, and have to guess the professions of the others by their attire.
78. Courtroom Party
Are you or any of your guests in law school or planning a law degree in the future? Have a courtroom party and assign roles to each person.
Enact a court case from real life or a movie, and give it an alternative ending. A buffet dinner is fun with this type of party, and black and white balloons and streamers work great for decorations.
79. Block Party Fun for All
Consider throwing a block party and quite literally invite everybody to one person’s home for dancing and cocktails.
Have traditional college party games like beer pong and see who can stay on their feet the longest. This is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.
80. Have a Formal Party
The “real world” is looming in the future, so step up your game and hold a formal party like the ones you’ll eventually be attending after graduation.
Dress up in a tux or cocktail dress and serve high-end hors d’oeuvres and good wine. This party may strain your budget a little bit, but it’s sure to be the most unique one held all year.
81. Sports Game Party
If you and your friends are on a college sports team together, why not have a game party of your own and get some extra practice while having fun?
Find an empty field or rent a court, and divide the guests into teams and see who can get their game on the best. Finish up with chili, hot chocolate, ice cream, and of course, beer. This theme would also be great for a fraternity or sorority house.
82. Movie Marathon Party
If you’d like to have a party but can’t throw anything extravagant, have a movie marathon party. Pick a movie that has at least two sequels, and watch them all in a row.
Combine this with simple treats like chicken wings, hamburgers, or chili dogs. This party idea won’t break the bank, but it will produce a lot of fun.
83. Seven Deadly Sins Party
For something completely different, throw a “Seven Deadly Sins” party, and have each guest show up as his or her favorite vice. Decorate with a color theme; green for envy, red for wrath, and purple for pride.
You don’t have to worry about sticking to just seven, though. Have guests dress up as anything they consider enjoyably wicked and see who best portrays his or her vice.
84. Food Fight Party
If you have an appropriate place to implement this party idea, have an old-fashioned food fight and feel like a kid again.
Of course, this requires purchasing enough food to eat and throw, but you can choose cheap menu items, such as macaroni and cheese, and sheet cake. Use food-themed decorations, and make sure to tell everyone to wear old clothes!
85. Cooking Contest Party
If you want to party on a budget and your pals like to cook, have everyone make a dish of their own creation, and have guests vote on the tastiest fare.
Supply a cake for dessert, serve red and white wine, and use chef hats, oven gloves, and giant utensils as decorations. This party idea is surprisingly fun for a medium price tag.
86. Last Hurrah Party
Have a bon voyage party! This idea is great if you’re seeing someone off who’s moving, celebrating the last session of a class you weren’t fond of or getting ready to leave for summer break.
This is also a great way to celebrate graduation on your own before the formal party. Serve simple hors d’oeuvres, and use travel-themed decorations and “passports” as place cards.
87. Beach Party Fun
If your campus is near a beach, don’t overlook a classic beach party. Bring volleyball equipment, beach balls, and tools to build sand castles.
Pack a traditional picnic lunch in a cooler, and if alcohol is allowed on the beach, bring a variety of traditional beers. This idea is simple, cost-effective, and highly enjoyable.
88. Pirate House Party
Pirates aren’t only in the Caribbean. Pirate themes are always fun, and pirate decorations can be found virtually everywhere.
Serve rum and cake, and invest in a small prize for the person who comes decked out in the most interesting pirate outfit. Play Walk the Plank for a great drinking game, and use eye patches for party favors.
89. 70s Party
Throw a 70s party, and break out the lava lamps and peace signs and transport yourself to an earlier decade. If you can afford it, get a strobe light and a small smoke machine.
Have a disco dance-off contest, and serve 70s-themed drinks like Harvey Wallbangers or Foxy Mamas. Decade parties can cost a little money, but they are well worth the investment.
90. 80s Party
Think an 80s party is more fun? Get out those neon outfits, awesome 80s tunes, and big hairstyles. As the last decade that unashamedly embraced junk food, no 80s party is complete without cheeseburgers, pepperoni pizza, or alfredo pasta and garlic bread.
Don’t forget to play Pac-Man and make sure someone brings a Rubik’s cube! Big, bold decorations are a must for this party, as are imported beers like Moose and Heineken.
91. 90s Party
Throw a fantastic 90s party with a hip-hop theme, graffiti decorations, and highball drinks. Find or make a version of the iconic yellow peephole door frame from Friends.
Get out the boombox, use floppy disk coasters, and find an old dinosaur cell phone with an antenna to laugh at. Party trays with lunch meat, veggies, and cheese are a must, and alternative rock is a great addition to your music lineup.
92. Binge Watch Party
Speaking of Friends, do you own or have the ability to stream every single episode of a television series? Binge-watching is something virtually everyone does, so if you pick something your guests like, this party idea is a winner.
Make chili dogs, and serve them with potato chips, cupcakes and beer, and tell everyone to make themselves at home for the next zillion hours!
93. Get Gloomy with a Medieval Party
Forget decades and consider going back centuries to create an unforgettable medieval college house party. Use only candlelight, and have guests come in medieval costumes, from knights and kings to court jesters or serving wenches.
Make a traditional meal of roast beast, dragon stew, and magic bread, and use partyware that looks like pewter or wood. Medieval superstitions ran rampant, so have your party during a full moon or invite the neighborhood black cat.
94. Throw a Mardi Gras Bash
Every college student’s dream is to go to Mardi Gras, but what if New Orleans is not in the budget this year? Save up your money and throw a Mardi Gras party.
Decorate big with green, magenta, and gold streamers, beads and ribbons, and hang masks and crazy costume pieces from every conceivable place. Creole food, jazz music, and Sazeracs or Cajun Bloody Marys are absolute musts for this party theme!
95. Fun with Cops and Robbers
Throw a cops and robbers party for a fun idea that doesn’t cost anything beyond food and drinks. Have everyone come as law enforcement or a bad guy/girl.
Choose partners and see who can make it through the whole night handcuffed together. Make sure to play tunes like Jailhouse Rock, and I Fought the Law and the Law Won, and do a bread and water theme with white pizza and clear beverages.
96. Have a Hollywood Party
Decorate with glitz and glitter, serve wine and high-end hors d’oeuvres, and tell guests to come as their favorite celebrity.
This party is not on the cheap end of the spectrum, but it’s loads of fun. Have a contest to see who can best imitate their favorite star.
97. I Can’t Believe You Wore That Party
This party idea is simple and can be cheap or expensive depending on how extravagant you get. It calls for everyone to come in the most outrageous outfit he or she can create.
Do decorations in the same theme: use anything but normal items to decorate your dorm, and create bizarre drink combinations–the more colorful, the better–and see if your guests can guess the ingredients.
98. Risky Business Party
No matter how many decades pass, the Risky Business party is never forgotten, so tell guests to come as one of the characters. You’ll definitely get a lot of Tom Cruise wannabes, but it will be fun.
Use the movie props as decorations: hang long white dress shirts, black sunglasses, and boxer shorts here and there, serve the classic beer and pizza, and don’t forget to play that old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll!
99. Party Around the World
For a great around-the-world party college, have everyone come in ethnic dress and make a game of guessing which country each person is from.
If you can stretch your budget a bit, order small portions of a broad variety of foods, from Indian, to Mexican and Italian. Play all types of music, from African tribal tunes to Spanish guitar.
100. Rags to Riches Party
For this fun party idea, have your guests dress in rags or riches, and get a keg of cheap beer, and some expensive wine or cocktails.
The party starts outside, and you can’t go indoors until the cheap alcohol is consumed. Once inside, guests can indulge in the expensive wine or beer, but they may be too drunk to enjoy it by then!
101. Angels and Devils Party
This party theme is self-explanatory: have guests dress up as a bad boy/girl or in sweetly innocent or geeky outfits. Decorate with angel wings and pitchforks, and have dainty treats like cake, cookies and champagne, served alongside death by chocolate dessert and whiskey.
Designate someone to pair up the angels and the devils, and have them switch roles. They’ll look like an angel but act like a devil, or vice versa.
102. Shower Party
If you’re in a Greek house with lots of showers or have a huge shower room, tell your guests to come in their swimming attire. This is a fun and inexpensive party that almost everybody loves.
Bring in a keg, some simple snacks like pretzels and chips, and even hold your own Bikini contest. Play beach music or jazz and drown out the pressure of school for the night.
103. Sweet and Sour Celebration
It’s easy to run up a bill with this party idea, but it’s hilarious and fun. Serve extremely sweet and extremely sour foods and drinks, and use smiling and frowning emojis to decorate.
Tart lemonade, kimchi, pickles, and sour gummies all make terrific sour foods, while cake, ice cream, candy, and Asian dishes like General Tso’s chicken are great for the sweet list. Serve strawberry mimosas and whiskey sours for opposite ends of the beverage spectrum.
104. Hike and Sleepover
If you’re searching for an outdoor party beyond the typical picnic-style event, consider a nature hike that ends with a sleepover in the great outdoors. Hit the hiking trail and take a long nature hike, then build a campfire, and drink and dance in the wild.
This party is revitalizing for body and mind, since it gets you and your pals away from the pressures of the city and cyberspace.
105. Cruise the Town Party
If you and your friends are drinking age, have a classic college bar crawl. Start with dinner and non-alcoholic drinks, and then go from one great club to the next, having a different kind of drink at each one.
End up at the diner for some late-night food and conversation. This party theme is not expensive, since everyone essentially pays their own way. Just make sure you can walk from one location to another or designate a sober driver.
106. Blackout House Party
If a casual, private setting appeals to you and you’re looking for an experience that is more intimate, have your party guests over for a sleepover.
Turn off all the lights, television, and devices, light candles, and sit in a circle on blankets and pillows. Enjoy snacks, play music, participate in fun games, and indulge in some flirting.
107. James Bond Party
Nothing beats a James Bond party. Have the guys dress up like that famous secret agent, and let the gals compete to be the next “Bond Girl.”
Watch some classic James Bond movies, play the soundtracks, and remember to make those martinis shaken, not stirred. This is not a high-cost party, but it’s loads of fun.
108. VIP Party
If you have a bit of flexibility with your budget, choose a few select party animals and make reservations for the VIP section of your favorite club.
Find out which establishment has the most excitement going on that weekend, and make that your go-to spot. If you want to take a substantial crowd with you, though, you may have to save up some money before planning this party!
109. Party in Drag
For a hilarious and entertaining party, have everyone come in their version of drag. No need to get fancy with food. Just choose fun favorites like chili dogs or sliders, and chips or French fries.
Give out prizes for the best costumes, and see if anyone can create such a superb costume that you can’t guess who it is.
110. Milkshake Bar Fun
If you want to have a nonalcoholic party, yet still have something for your guests to indulge in, set up a milkshake bar. This is not a superexpensive party idea, but guests typically love it.
Make sure you have a variety of ice cream flavors, syrups, and toppings, and let your guests have seconds until you run out of goodies. Decorate with streamers and party balloons, and serve lemonade or homemade iced tea for beverages.
111. Throw a Foodies Party
Are you and your friends foodies? You don’t have to go around the world to have an international fare.
Create a party themed around ethnic cuisine, and serve everything from Mexican to Moroccan. The more ideas you can come up with, the better, so think Oriental to Italian and everything in between.
112. Speed Dating-Matchmaking Party
Whether you’ve ever participated in speed dating or not, it’s a great party theme that costs nothing. Have wine and sweets, and organize your own version of speed dating.
You might want to primarily invite singles to this party for obvious reasons, and you never know, some of them may emerge as couples. Romantic decorations are definitely a must for this party, and a love song playlist is a staple.
113. Truth or Dare Party
Everyone loves the game of truth or dare, so why not theme a party around it? Decorate with black-and-white balloons and streamers, and hang a few giant question marks from the ceiling.
The dare can be anything from giving a kiss to a stranger to taking a shot luge style. Serve finger food, so you can eat and play at the same time.
114. Wear Your Team Colors and Watch the Fireworks
A simple party theme that can escalate into some friendly arguments is to have everyone come in their team colors. At any party, there are bound to be fans of a broad range of teams, and this creates instant frenemies.
Make the losers agree to wear the colors of a team they are not fond of for an hour. This basic but fun party theme goes great with good old-fashioned sandwiches and beer.
115. Dessert Bar Indulgence
If you and your friends have a sweet tooth, theme your party around desserts. However, you should offer much more than cake and ice cream.
Go all out with this theme by creating everything from a mini candy store, to a doughnut shop, and an ice cream parlor. Everyone may be in sugar shock by the end of the night, but it will be worth it!
116. Color Party
If you’re partying on a budget but don’t want to go too cheap, have a color party where everyone wears one color from head to toe. Choose a color and decorate and serve food and drinks in that shade only.
For extra fun, pick out someone who’s a good sport and “forget” to tell that guest about the color theme. Let that guest be the only one to show up in regular party clothes.
117. Chinese New Year
For a think-outside-the-box party theme, consider having a Chinese New Year’s party any time of the year.
You can use any animal theme from the Chinese zodiac, such as a horse, monkey, or dragon, or decorate with all of them. Naturally, Chinese food is a staple of this party theme, and any kind of drink is appropriate as long as it’s colorful.
118. Sushi Train Bash
Enjoy your own sushi train at home, and invite all your raw bar friends for a fun and tasty party. You can make this as creative or elegant as you like, and serve everything from nori seaweed sheets to wasabi.
If you know how to prepare this type of food, have your guests come and turn the party into a sushi-making class with everybody chipping in.
119. Sexy Salsa Fun
Decorate with a Spanish flare, serve Castilian food, and play salsa music to create a fun and sexy party atmosphere.
If your budget allows, hire a professional and get everyone in on a salsa lesson and then take turns doing the steps to see which guest was the best learner.
120. Party Green
If you’re not into headbanging and hard-drinking college parties, but are more earthy and cerebral, try a sip-and-plant party at your community campus garden.
Bring light wine coolers or nonalcoholic beverages, and hang out with your friends planting greenery that you can come and check on the next time around. Bring simple snacks such as trail mix or cocktail sandwiches to keep this party cost in line.
121. Coachella/Burning Man Celebration
Everybody loves Coachella and Burning Man, but not everyone gets to go, so throw this party at home. Get your Coachella Bohemian decor, complete with your own version of the wooden sign, and invest in some cactus lights, glow sticks, and confetti balloons.
Flavored popcorn, fancy hotdogs, tacos, and fruit and cheese platters go great with this theme, and don’t forget the Coachella playlist!
122. Rockabilly
Rockabilly is just a fancy word for classic, southern rock. It also makes a great theme for a college party.
Serve mega burgers, ice cream, and ordinary beer, and have guests come in their best sweet and sexy dresses and Elvis-style ensembles. Colorful decorations are a must for this theme, and any type of classic rock playlist works.
123. Woodstock
Maybe you were too young for the original live Woodstock party in the 60s, but that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate it in modern times with the right music, stardust cocktails, and amber beer.
Peace, love, and hippie attire are essential for this party theme, and 60s tunes are a must. Make sure you serve flower-child food, like nuts, tofu, and eggrolls.
124. Oktoberfest
Having a fall college party? Try an Oktoberfest theme for an idea that won’t break the bank but will be interesting and amusing for your guests.
Use classic autumn decorations and invest in a few pumpkins that you and your friends might want to carve once everyone gets pleasantly drunk. Serve chili dogs and hot chocolate, and select the classic Oktoberfest beers, such as Samuel Adams and Bell’s Octoberfest.
125. Reggae
Not everyone likes reggae, but when you do, you do. If you and your pals are Bob Marley fans and you can afford a bit of expense, then head to Jamaica, ‘mon.
Use island decorations, wear cornrows and beach clothes, and party in your bare feet. Tiki torches, Caribbean food, and daiquiris and piña coladas need a place on the must-have list for this party.
126. Romantic
It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to have a romantic party. Decorate in red, pink and white, and impress the girls with hearts and flowers for something they’d never expect!
Put on some love songs for a slow dance, keep the wine flowing and get some steamy romance going.
127. Come as Royalty
If you know you were born to be royalty, but ended up in the wrong century, throw a come-as-a-monarch party, and let everyone dress up as their favorite king, queen, or member of a royal family.
Decorating in purple and gold is a must, as is playing King’s Cup with your favorite beer. If you can’t afford steak and fine wine like the kings, have cheesesteaks and cheap whiskey!
128. High Tea
If you need a departure from a headbanging frat party, consider going a bit retro and invite the girls for high tea. Serve a hearty lunch like subs or brisket sandwiches, with side dishes like macaroni and cheese or potato salad.
Serve coffee and tea, and finish with fancy pastries. (They never knew you could be that sensitive!)
129. Wine and Cheese Party
For some classic fun, have a traditional wine and cheese party. If you can foot the bill yourself, get a variety of wines and gourmet cheeses and set up a mini buffet.
Alternatively, you can have everyone bring either a bottle of wine or a block of cheese, and everyone can pitch in to get it set up. Finish up with dancing or a great movie.
130. Walk the Runway
You’re young and good-looking, why not show off a bit? Have a party where guests strut their stuff on the runway, and award someone a prize for the best walk.
This theme can be classic or comical, depending on the personality types in your group. Play traditional party tunes with a driving beat, and serve hors d’oeuvres and champagne or wine.
131. Damsel in Distress Party
For an interesting twist on a party, have one of the girls hide somewhere in the house and round up some knights in shining armor to “rescue” her. The other girls can play “evil stepmother” or “wicked queen” and try to impede the progress of the rescue.
Have everyone dress as either the princess who needs saving, or the chivalrous knight. Medieval decor is a must, and highball drinks and finger food are perfect.
132. Retro Hollywood Party
Go retro Hollywood, and have a costume party, but where guests must choose famous celebrities from the 40s, 50s, or 60s, such as Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Elvis Presley.
Serve old-fashioned hors d’oeuvres, vintage cocktails, and decorate with Hollywood decor, such as silver streamers, confetti, and lots of gold lame.
133. Pasta Party Bash
For a party that’s cost-effective, but big on taste, throw a pasta bash. Make everything from lasagna to macaroni and cheese–the price will be surprisingly low–and ask guests to bring French bread or rolls and butter.
Wine is a must-have for this party idea, and deck out the room with red, green, and white in honor of the country that gave us pasta!
134. Tie-Dye Party
Tie-dye parties are an enduring favorite, and virtually everyone has fun at them. Tell your guests to bring one or more white T-shirts, and after indulging in some pizza and beer, begin the tie-dye fun.
Decorate in a hippie theme, and play 60s and 70s tunes to complement this fun and interesting party.
135. Have a Daring Tattoo Party
If you’re looking for a truly unique college party theme and think your guests can be daring, throw a tattoo bash. Have a local tattoo artist come out and see who has the nerve to get some permanent ink art etched on their skin.
However, if you’re planning on serving alcohol, you might want your guests to make their decision before they get toasted!
136. Throw a Hillbilly Hoedown
Be hillbillies for a night and bum or buy some hay bales and used tires for seating. Serve chili or fried chicken and corn on the cob and eat it around a homemade fire pit.
Classic beer and apple pie complete the menu, and guests can come in their overalls, flannel shirts, Daisy Dukes, cowboy boots, and straw hats. Have potato sack races, play horseshoes, and indulge in drinking games like Flip Cup or Possum.
137. Makeover Your Dorm–or Yourself
If you’re hard-pressed for a party idea, consider a makeover! Have friends over and tell them to bring everything necessary to create a completely new look, such as hair color, makeup, and new duds, and have fun seeing what you come up with.
If you don’t want to makeover yourself, throw a decorating party and give your dorm a facelift, rewarding your helpers with free pizza and beer. Just don’t make any unauthorized changes!
138. Throw a Video Bash
Who says you ever have to outgrow video games? Have your friends over and set out giant balls of popcorn, pretzels, cheese balls, and other quick and easy snacks, and break open the brewskis.
Have a competition, and make the person with the lowest score volunteer to help clean up. If they do this grudgingly, let them have all the leftovers in return!
139. Celebrate the Olympics
It doesn’t have to be an Olympics year to celebrate this great tradition. Decorate with the traditional colored circles and Olympics-themed partyware.
Try some exotic drinks and cuisine from around the world, and have everyone pull up their favorite Olympic memory on their device and relive watching it live. Guests can add to the fund by dressing in the gear associated with their favorite Olympic sport.
140. Have Improv Comedy Night
Do you have a lot of cut-ups on your party list who like to get everyone laughing? Open your own comedy cabana and let them “perform” against the backdrop of a black curtain with a makeshift spotlight.
Usually, there’s at least a handful of people willing to do this, and the rest of the guests can be the audience. Whoever gets the most laughs, gets served first!
141. Immortalize Your Fun on Paper
If you and your friends are the artsy types, and you have a generous budget, pay a local artist to come party with you. This is a traditional party with a twist.
Use classic decorations and serve standard food and wine. The twist is the artist sketching scenes from the party for an hour, or two, and copies can be made for each guest for a wonderful memento.
142. Get Gross and Have a Blast
Thought of throwing a party that’s just plain gross? Serve disgusting Halloween party food such as bleeding finger hot dogs and cat litter cake.
Drop floating eyeballs from a gag shop into the drinks and decorate with slime and barf bags. Use travel-size bottles of Pepto-Bismol as favors and play Bloody-Hell Dice as the drinking game to round out this surprisingly low-cost party idea.
143. Have a Paint Party
For a moderate amount of money, you can have a truly creative party. Hit the local flea markets and yard sales, and pick up some benches, flowerpots, tables, or small bookcases for a few dollars a piece.
Invest in four or five cans of paint in different colors, and challenge every guest to turn their second-hand piece into a first-prize creation.
144. Invite the Band
Want to really go all out and impress your friends? Hire a band for a backyard party, and dance to professional music.
Grill hamburgers or hot dogs for an outdoor dinner, and make this a BYOB party to cut costs. Most guests will be so happy for the live entertainment, they won’t mind bringing a few bottles of their favorite brew.
145. Have a Shakespeare Party
If you and your friends like to go all out with costumes, have a Shakespeare party. Tell everyone to come as their favorite character from one of his plays, or even as the writer himself.
Decorate with masks, monarch-themed partyware, and of course, the Muses. Don’t forget a candelabra or two and some red wine in vintage goblets.
146. Mad Hatter Bash
Decorate with queen of hearts balloons, clocks, white rabbits, and Cheshire cats. Serve jam tarts, finger sandwiches, fancy cakes, scones, and of course, tea.
Play classic Alice in Wonderland games, such as make the Cheshire cat smile; where someone says or does funny things, and the first one to laugh is “out.” Keep going until only one person is left with a frown, and then have some off-with-your-head cocktails.
147. Throw a Piñata Party
No one will be disappointed with a piñata-themed college party. This enduring favorite is a winner with any party crowd, laid-back or wild.
Mexican decor and a playlist that features some Spanish guitar are ideal for this party. After you break open the piñata and everyone grabs their goodies, enjoy tacos, Spanish rice, and Tequila!
148. Have a Finally-21 Party
Get hilarious and do something different for your 21st year and throw a “death to my youth party.” Make this a funeral-style celebration as you kiss your youth goodbye and enter “adulthood.”
Order an RIP cake and make some DIY tombstones. Decorate with black and gray streamers and balloons, and play chamber music while you and your guests indulge in highballs or imported beer.
149. Have a Neon Kind of Night
Why not go simple and have a neon-themed party? Tell your guests to wear their favorite color neon, and decorate in the same vein with neon party balloons, glow sticks, and neon sunglasses.
Serve any kind of beverage as long as it’s a bright color, and make sure to serve rainbow sherbet and have bowls of bright-colored candy or any snack that features a bold shade.
150. Have a Geeks Party
Are your friends majoring in computer science, accounting, or bookkeeping? Throw a geeks party!
Serve practical food and boring drinks like coffee and tea without the shot of whiskey (of course, you can break out the brews later.) Decorate with giant pencils from a gag shop, calculators, and classic BIC pens.
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