Everything You Need for a Grand Opening Party

The time has finally come for the ribbon cutting ceremony and to welcome guests, staff members, or new customers to your grand opening party! Whether you’re reopening the office post-pandemic, have transformed an old building into a new event space, or you’ve opened your own store, a grand opening party is a wonderful way to mark your hard work and determination. 

First impressions matter, so you’ll want to leave a lasting impact on the people who have shown up to support you for the big day. Planning this event takes focus and a flourish of creativity, with a healthy helping of fun along the way! Keep reading for grand opening ideas that will help you serve up a special event to remember forever.

Here are grand opening ideas for small and large businesses:

Choose A Grand Opening Venue

Business Premises

If you’re celebrating the grand opening event of a new business, then it makes sense to host your special soirée on site. Whether it’s a modern office block, a converted warehouse, or an old building, hosting the party at the epicenter of your new venture will add to the excitement and generate buzz for your guests. They’ll get the big reveal and see the work that’s gone into transforming a space into your new business!

Private Room

If hosting the grand opening at your new business location isn’t an option, then hiring a private event space elsewhere will work as a backup plan. The kind of room you hire will depend on your guest list size and the sort of vibe you wish to create. 

If it’s a formal business and corporate-based, then a sophisticated hotel function room or private room at a restaurant may work. 

If you’re starting a new venture that’s a little edgy, hip, and modern, why not see if you can rent a brewery, warehouse space, or a room at a cool bar?

Cocktail Bar

If you’re hosting the grand opening in a suave new office block, there may be a curfew! Why not move the after-party to a funky cocktail bar where guests can let their hair down and mark your exciting new opportunity in style? Having a post-party plan is a great way to set the party tone for a memorable night with friends and colleagues.

Grand Opening Party Entertainment & Activities

DJ

Music makes or breaks a good party. At a grand opening, you want clients, friends, and potential customers to feel relaxed and in good form as soon as they arrive. Hire a DJ who can play ambient background music, classy tunes, or outright party anthems, according to the kind of atmosphere you wish to project.

Acoustic Duo

There is something about live music that instantly ups the ante when it comes to creating a party vibe. Why not hire an acoustic duo who can play ambient duets, classic hits, or current chart songs, so your guests can mingle and savor the music all in one? Acoustic duos tend to play appropriate music that blends into the background, so it won’t deter guests from networking and socializing at your all-important grand opening.

Face Painter

Add a touch of festival fun with a face painter. You could have a professional face painter in the corner, offering pretty and glittery designs to guests. Go one step further and ask the professional face painter to use colors or logos that match your grand opening theme.

Bartender or Cocktail Maker

Nothing says “fancy grand opening” quite like having a whole bar area devoted to delicious cocktails. Hire a professional bartender or mixologist who can whip up fun and unique cocktails to go with your event. Seasonal sips like winter berry-based refreshments or warming whiskey cocktails are ideal for launches during colder months. 

For spectacular summer soirées, check out some zesty concoctions and tropical fruit-filled beverages. Cocktail umbrellas and summery glass accessories are optional!

Vintage Mobile Bar or Candy Cart

This idea is stolen right from the wedding scene booklet. A vintage bar or candy cart can do wonders when it comes to elevating the look and feel of a party! If it’s an adults-only affair with access to an outdoor area, you could rent a vintage trailer bar complete with professional bartenders. 

Converted trailers come with tons of options, cake and coffee offerings to prosecco on tap and craft cocktail ventures. A vintage candy cart is always a winner for children and grown-ups alike. 

Photo Booth

If your budget allows, why not book a fun photo booth for a couple of hours? Guests love nothing more than throwing on some novelty props and accessories for group pics. You can go one further and get custom prints and templates with your new business name or company logo for an added personal touch and nod to the grand opening! 

Feeling fancy? Why not add a red carpet entrance to your photo booth area so your guests can feel like true VIPs at an exclusive event. If you want to DIY it, set up a photo corner with some Polaroids or disposable cameras and let guests make their own fun.

You can set up a photo book with some glue sticks and pens, so attendees can add notes of congratulations to you and your team underneath their prints.

Magician

OK so a magician may seem like a step too far down nostalgia lane, but it’s a classic addition to a party for a reason. Whether there are children in attendance or you simply love a good magic trick, a well-trained magician can engage and intrigue guests with card tricks and illusions that will get them talking.

Paint and Prosecco

This will work for smaller groups of 30 or fewer guests, and maybe a maximum of 50, depending on space. Having an activity to draw the group together (pun intended) is a great ice-breaker. You can seek out paint-at-home pros who set up mobile classes at events and parties.

Usually, you’ll pick one image that everyone in the group gets to (attempt!) to paint, with expert guidance from the art teacher at the helm. 

Pro Tip: serve some bubbles to unleash creativity, or to soften bruised egos when their canvas doesn’t turn out as planned!

Cocktail Making

If the professional bartender plan seems like a stretch, don’t panic! You could arrange a mobile bar of your own, with some cocktail recipes printed out, some fine spirits, and garnishes too. Let guests concoct their own cocktails—but be sure to leave a measuring glass close by so no one goes overboard with any free samples!

More Grand Opening Party Ideas

Balloon Decor

No grand opening party worth its salt would be caught without some tasteful and vibrant balloon decor this side of 2020! Balloon arches are fun and joyful to behold, and add a simple decorative flourish to venue entrances and doorways. Seek out balloon decor companies and party rentals in your area and find balloons to match your theme and color scheme.

Branded Decor and Signage

If you’re hosting a grand opening, then chances are you will want to use it as an optimal chance to promote your new space, business, or brand. Get some streamers, signage, flags, and bits and bobs with colors and branding related to your grand event.

Lighting and a Projector

Lighting is key for setting the right tone and ambiance at your grand opening. Do you want bright and colorful installations that scream “we’re open, let’s party!”, or do you want to create a sophisticated and romantic vibe with string lights and lots of candles? Why not get a projector set up or some flat-screen televisions with a slideshow or behind-the-scenes videos of the project as it unfolded? 

Grand Opening Food

Mediterranean Grazing Tables

There’s nothing like walking into a room and falling in love at first sight … with food! Grazing tables are the perfect fit at a grand opening party that means business. Think delicious cuts of cured meats, a smorgasbord of tempting cheeses, and a good helping of crackers, bread sticks, olives, and chutneys to finish the look. Oh, and fresh fruit such as grapes and apples always go down a treat when creating decorative grazing plates that look as good as they taste.

Burger Bites and Pizza Slices

Depending on the kind of grand opening you’re planning and your target audience, you cannot go wrong with casual, laid back platters featuring everyone’s favorite foods. Mini burgers, pizza slices, potato wedges, and the like will be the crème de la crème for your VIP guests and potential future customers. 

Crudité

These French-inspired veggie snacks will be a hit with vegan or vegetarian guests and those on a health kick! Beautiful displays of raw, fresh veggies will add color and substance to your grand opening. Again, as with the grazing tables, add some crackers, hummus, and nibbles to the table and you have yourself a healthy and high-end catering solution.

Cupcakes

As a business owner or team member, you want to leave your attendants with plenty of sweet memories of your grand opening. Why not get a local business like a bakery or sweep shop to create customized cupcakes? You could ask for colors that match your brand, featured photographs on top, or the name and logo of your new business to be added as cupcake decor. 

Grand Opening Drinks

Champagne Toast

If there’s one thing a grand opening demands, it’s a well-deserved toast to everyone who made it happen. Why not pop the champagne or prosecco and have trays of flutes by the entrance or dotted around the room? Cheers!

Fruity Infusions Served in Vintage Jars

Vintage jars are a party favorite and a popular barware accessory in recent years. Why not fill some water dispensers with fresh fruit, cucumber, ice, add some still and sparkling water, and create a refreshing self-service oasis right in the middle of your party. Vintage jars look great and add a quirky, hipster vibe, if that’s what you’re seeking. Throw some candy-striped paper straws in the mix and some fresh fruit garnishes, too. 

Beer and Soda Buckets

For casual or more relaxed parties, simply pop some big buckets around the room, load in the ice, and fill with bottles or cans of beer, soda, and hard seltzers. You could dot a couple of buckets around your venue, so guests can grab a cold brew with ease. For added brownie points, make sure they’re twist-off bottle tops, or leave a bottle opener close by.

Tea and Coffee Station

Not all grand openings happen in the evening and many don’t require the need for booze. So, if you’re hosting a midday opening or a sans-alcohol event, then a good old fashioned tea and coffee station is a must! 

Lay out some nice cups and saucers, mugs, spoons, good-quality coffee, herbal teas. For something a little “extra,” why not hire a mobile barista and coffee maker to make delicious flat whites, cappuccinos, and more, complete with wonderful milky artwork on top!

Find more ideas and inspiration for events here on The Bash.