Dinner Party Galore: 10 Themes for an Unforgettable Hosting

If you’re the kind of person who entertains people on a regular basis, you’re bound to want to switch things up a bit. Sometimes you just want to spend a pleasant evening over a good meal with those you love, and other times you like to have fun with themed dinner parties! 

In this post, I’m going to share with you some ideas for themes that you’re going to love! The great thing about these dinner party themes is that you can either adapt them for a small get-together with friends, for example, or you can even scale them up for larger parties. 

I hope you’re ready to join me in discovering 10 dinner party themes that will make you dream! Let’s get started!

1. Elegant Black-tie Dinner Party

So we’re starting with a classic theme that’s always a hit with guests. This idea is more suited to a fancy dinner. So if you have work-related guests or something similar, organizing a black-tie dinner party is the perfect solution! 

Basically, you go all out for this theme! You can try to use an elegant and tasteful décor, bring out the beautiful crockery, and prepare the most refined menu for the most sophisticated palates! 

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing your black-tie dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: You can opt for elegant, formal invitations and encourage the guests to opt for formal attire.
• Decorations: Opt for black and white color schemes! You can add a touch of gold or silver. Elegant tablecloths, napkins, centerpieces, and candles can add a touch of sophistication. 
• Table settings: Fine china and polished silverware, as well as crystal glasses, can be a hit for your black-tie dinner party! You can be extra and assign seatings. 
• Menu: Opt for gourmet appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Accompany the food with adequate drinks. 
• Entertainment: You can add a touch of sophistication with an ambient playlist of a jazz band! 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: If you really want to go all out, you can leave some elegant gifts as a party favor and personalized thank-you notes in black and white for your guests to go home with! 

2. Worldwide Culinary Exploration Dinner Party

This theme is particularly fun if your guests come from different ethnicities, cultures, or even regions! I’ve done this type of gathering with my French and Moroccan friends, but I’ve also done it with some of my friends who are from the same country as me but come from different regions, since the food differs even on the same territory! 

Each guest can bring a dish from a culture, or you can provide for everything yourself. That would allow you all to discover different flavors from around the world. You could also end up trying unique food pairings! 

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a culinary exploration dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: You can send out invitations with maps or items that are reminiscent of a culture. Your guests can also wear attire from their preferred destination!
• Decorations: You can use world map tablecloths or specific tablecloths from a culture/country. You can also decorate with little flag banners or potted plants from certain regions. 
• Table settings: It could be fun to mix and match dinnerware from different cultures for this one! Your guests could also share bits and information about each country’s dining etiquette if you all wish so. 
• Menu: Like I said before, it could depend on how you’ll organize the party, but there’s definitely a way to create a diverse menu with dishes from various countries for this dinner party theme! 
• Entertainment: A global playlist featuring hit songs from the countries you’ll feature during the party is a must! Also, if you feel like it, why not have a trivia game with questions related to global cuisines? 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: Giving small jars of spices from different countries could count as great party favors! You could also share the recipes you served during dinner on cute little cards as well.

3. Retro Dinner Party 

Vintage lovers will love this dinner party idea. This theme is very popular where I live at the moment, whether with people or franchises! We went for dinner at a really nice restaurant, and it was an ‘American Diner’ straight from the past! That gave the inspiration to one of my friends to base her birthday party on the whole idea, but I think it would be easily adaptable for a dinner party as well! I really like the retro and colorful feel of this theme, and there’s plenty to make it a great evening out with your friends!

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a retro dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: Once again, you can opt for cute vintage invitations with retro fonts and colors. What’s so great about the “retro/vintage” theme is that you can actually choose between different eras going from the 70s to the glam 50s. Basically, the choice is yours!
• Decorations: Once again, the decorations would depend mostly on the era you choose to represent for your dinner party. Still, I can think of some very reminiscent decors such as old records, antique cameras, or even classic books that could serve as centerpieces when paired with a bouquet of flowers!
• Table settings: You can opt for anything vintage for the table settings! From retro dinnerware to napkin holders!
• Menu: Plan around your menu with classic dishes from your specific era. You can also go further and serve drinks inspired by the theme too!
• Entertainment: Once more, you can create a playlist featuring music from the chosen era! If you’re feeling extra, you could also set up a little corner to conduct a little photoshoot session and recreate iconic images or poses from your era of choice! 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: You can think of giving your guests retro-inspired items like small vinyl records, retro trinkets, or classic candies as party favors! Those would be really cute and fitting for the theme. 

4. Nature/Garden Dinner Party

This one is perfect for spring or summer and will delight nature lovers. It’s also the perfect party to throw for anyone who has a garden that can be used! I’d say this one is also great for lunch parties as well. The key for this theme is to attune yourself to nature and incorporate as much of it into your party, from decorations to the actual menu.

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a garden dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: I think that nature-inspired designs for invitations like flowers, leaves, or little animals are perfect for the setting! Your guests can definitely wear comfortable and airy outfits for this dinner party, especially if it’s during a hot summer night.
• Decorations: Let your garden shine for this dinner party! Enhance the flowers, trees or other plants you have in your garden by adding fairy lights or lanterns around!
• Table settings: Light fabrics like linen and floral patterns would be the best for the table settings! Bamboo, wooden, or stoneware plates can add to the theme. You can add lots of flowers and plants for the nature side.
• Menu: For a garden party, you should definitely opt for a seasonal menu with fresh salads, grilled veggies, and meats, as well as lots of fruits! Why not even pick up some herbs from your garden and make refreshing drinks with them?
• Entertainment: I’d say that a nature sounds playlist (or just listening to the sounds of your garden actually) could create an enjoyable atmosphere. You can set up some outdoor games after dinner or go for a walk if your garden is big enough!
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: You could give your guests small bouquets of flowers or even packets of seeds for the green thumbs out there! Scented candles, handmade soaps, or even tiny potted plants can also be great party favors inspired by nature.

5. Mysterious Masquerade Dinner Party

This is one of my favorite themes! While I never actually attended one, Masquerade Parties are just a guilty pleasure of mine! I love them so much when I see them in a piece of media or literature, and I’m actually thinking of throwing one myself if the occasion ever arises! Masquerade Dinner Parties can be amazing to throw during the month of October since people already plan to dress up for Halloween for example. While I do think that you’d need to put in some effort considering the theme, I still think it’s absolutely worth it! For all my mysterious, glorious lovers out there, this dinner party idea is for you! 

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a masquerade dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: There’s no need to think too hard about the dress code for a masquerade party! It’s all about masks and elegant outfits!
• Decorations: There are multiple ways to create an adequate atmosphere for a masquerade-themed party. Use rich, deep colors like black, gold, and deep red for tablecloths and decorations, you can also use draped fabrics to create a luxurious and mysterious ambiance! Elegant candle holders and candelabras can also add to it. 
• Table settings: Choose ornate and intricate dinnerware and glassware. Use gold or silver chargers and napkin rings for an opulent touch. Place a small mask at each table setting as a decorative element. 
• Menu: Plan a gourmet menu with decadent and exotic dishes. Consider a themed dessert table with masked-shaped cookies or chocolate truffles. Serve sparkling drinks or cocktails with edible flowers for an extra touch of elegance.
• Entertainment: Following the dress code, you could include a little fun event where you reward guests for their costumes/masks! You could also prepare a small space for formal dancing to give a ball atmosphere to the gathering, even if it’s not held in a lavish castle! 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: To top off the night, why not provide your guests with elegant masks as party favors as well as some chocolate or sweets from the party? You could wrap them up in a masquerade-inspired treat box for them to go! 

6. Hollywood Night Dinner Party 

Are you ready to roll out the red carpet and bring the glamour of Hollywood to your home? Get ready for a dazzling evening filled with delicious bites, cinematic vibes, and the chance to feel like a true movie star! If your guests are cinephiles, then that would just be even better. You could start out the dinner by either getting dressed as characters from your favorite Hollywood movie or simply dressing up as movie stars!  

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a Hollywood dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: You could very much wow your guests by sending them VIP passes that will act out as fun and creative invitations for the dinner! Everyone also gets to dress up to impress for this dinner! 
• Decorations: The secret to a Hollywood-inspired atmosphere lies with gold and black decorations! You could also definitely use movie-themed props like film reels, director’s chairs, and Hollywood signs to set the scene! 
• Table settings: Opt for elegant tableware, gold-accented glassware, and black tablecloths. Consider incorporating small Hollywood-themed decor elements as centerpieces like a clapboard. 
• Menu: The menu could be inspired by classic meals that appeared in some Hollywood movies or others that are associated with classic movies! That’s for sure going to impress your guests.
• Entertainment: If you have any red carpet, this dinner party is the perfect time to get it out! Set up a cozy little nook where you and your guests will be able to act like Hollywood stars and take pictures together.
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: There are quite cute little Hollywood trinkets that can act out as party favors to thank your guests for coming! You could offer them some chocolates and clapboard keychains. Or you can opt for VIP wristbands and my personal favorite, their own awards so that they can remember this night!  

7. Fantasy Dinner Party 

For this party theme, it’s time to let our imagination run wild instead of keeping close to conventions! Fantasy is really a broad theme that you can make work in however way you want depending on your likes and views! Whether you want to make it a witch’s dinner party for Halloween, or a medieval one, it’s up to you!

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a fantasy dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: You can transport your guests into an enchanted realm right from the start with a fantastic invitation card! You can use magical terms or maybe even a fun riddle! Don’t forget to encourage them to adhere to the dress code depending on the fantasy theme you’re choosing.
• Decorations: To evoke the magic that’s usually tied to a fantasy world, you’d best opt for elements that reflect your theme! If you’re hosting a Harry Potter-inspired dinner party, you can put floating candles around and Hogwarts house banners for example. 
• Table settings: Pay attention to your table settings for this theme! You’ll never go wrong with elegant dinnerware or wooden ones depending on the theme. You can also play around with unique centerpieces or other decorations like this gorgeous dragon candleholder. 
• Menu: The menu for a fantasy dinner party has to be as mystical sounding as possible! Don’t hesitate to transform regular dishes into delicious potions or elixirs for your fantasy-themed dinner!
• Entertainment: Music can be of big help to set the ambiance for the dinner party, so don’t hesitate to put on your best fantasy playlist. Depending on your theme, try to choose activities that refer to your fantastic world! 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: To end the party on a sweet, sweet note, give out small enchanting keepsakes that will remind your guests of the fantastical night they experienced! 

8. DIY Dinner Party 

Okay, I know that when you’re going to read about this dinner party theme, you’re going to stop and wonder if I’m crazy. But I promise I’m not! And a lot of people actually have fun with these dinner parties! Instead of having the host cook and serve everything for the guests, these dinner parties actually let you and your friends enjoy creating your own meals together. Obviously, you won’t make your guests cook from scratch, but the idea behind this is to create “DIY Cooking Stations” where they’d find all the ingredients already prepped and they can assemble their own dinner! For example, it can be a pizza, tacos, sandwiches, ramen, pasta, dumplings or even a salad, drinks or desserts! It’s a really cute activity especially if your friends enjoy cooking too! And everyone can customize their plate or share with each other their dishes. You can go to the extra step and prepare mini kits for your guests to take home as well! 

9. Celestial Soirée Dinner Party 

This dinner party is all about the stars and celestial wonders! It’s an ethereal theme that’s both elegant and magical. I feel like cosmic delights are a gorgeous aesthetic to follow for a party, and you can go from adding some decors that remind you of the night skies to dress-up as celestial beings. Moreover, if it’s summer and you have an outdoor patio or a little garden where you can dine beneath the starry sky, you can be sure that your party will be taken to new heights! 

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing a celestial soirée dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: Opt for celestial-themed invitations, and don’t forget to encourage your guests to dress up in outfits inspired by the stars, the moon, the sun or even the galaxies!
• Decorations: I’d say that blue and metallic hues would be the stars of the party (pun intended!). You can create a dreamy atmosphere with celestial decor just by hanging stars, moon lanterns, and twinkling fairy lights! You could also use a projector to really immerse yourself if you’re indoors! 
• Table settings: You could definitely use star-patterned dishes and glassware for this dinner party!   
• Menu: x Let your creativity run its way by making star-shaped appetizers and cosmic desserts. You could also serve sparkling drinks to add a celestial touch! 
• Entertainment: If you’re throwing your celestial soirée dinner outside, do consider incorporating stargazing activities if the sky is clear! Also, if you or any of your guests can, it’d be fun to do astrological readings for entertainment! 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: You can send your guests home with celestial-themed items such as constellation maps, star-shaped candles, or celestial-inspired chocolates and candies! 

10. Underwater Dinner Party 

Any mermaid lovers reading this post? If so, I’m glad you came here! I’m actually a huge fan of mermaids, and I’m not even joking when I say that when I was a kid, I must’ve watched “The Little Mermaid” at least a thousand times (Fun fact, I still watch it now that I’m an adult!). Maybe my love for mermaids stems from my fascination with the ocean. I admit that it scares me at times, but at the same time, it’s just something incredible, and I nearly became a marine biologist before converting to biochemistry! 

Anyway, you’re not here to read about me blabbering about my huge love for mermaids, so let’s go on with this dinner party theme. The ocean basically becomes the star of your gathering! From seafood-based dishes to underwater decorations, it’s the perfect theme for water lovers.

Here are some ideas or things you can keep in mind when organizing an underwater dinner party: 

• Invitations and Dress Code Guidelines: Just like we’ve seen with our other themes, you can opt for invitations featuring underwater scenes or marine life! Don’t forget to encourage guests to dress in ocean-inspired outfits! 
• Decorations: Create an underwater ambiance with blue and teal decor! You can try to hang sea creature garlands (Jellyfish are amazing for this!). And of course, you can use LED lights or a projector to give that underwater glow to the place! 
• Table settings: No surprises over here, ocean-themed tableware, including seashell-shaped dishes and coral-inspired centerpieces would be perfect for this dinner party! Use blue or teal tablecloths to enhance the underwater theme.
• Menu: As I’ve said so, the menu can feature seafood dishes and refreshing, ocean-inspired flavors. Don’t forget to serve blue drinks to match the whole theme! 
• Entertainment: While you can use maritime music, I think that a playlist with ocean sounds would be amazing to immerse you in the whole underwater atmosphere! 
• Party Favors & Thank You Notes: You can send your guests home with the cutest party favors for this dinner party theme! I’d recommend seashell chocolates or candies, mermaid tail keychains, or other oceanic elements, and if you want it to be more personalized, you could also leave them messages in bottles! 

Conclusion: Making Great Memories with Unique Dinner Parties

As I’m reaching the end of this post, I realize that I may have rambled a lot about these ideas, but there’s just so much to share about these themes! I hope that at least I could inspire you a bit for your future gatherings. Remember that it doesn’t have to be lavish or anything, what matters the most is that you actually have fun with the theme and spend a lovely moment with your guests. Try to keep in mind your guests’ preferences and interests so you can choose a theme that resonates with them and you all have a great time!