26 Winter Party Themes for a Snowy Celebration
Lauren Miolene
Editor
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has come and gone. Now what? Just because the Christmas magic is over doesn’t mean you still can’t celebrate throughout the rest of the winter. Luckily, there are still plenty of reasons to celebrate and winter party themes so you can keep the celebrations going all season long.
Don’t forget, there are a ton of holidays between January and March that you can still host epic parties for! Get into the spirit of the Big Easy with a Mardi Gras celebration, host an elegant watch party during awards show season, or invite your friends over for a special Galentine’s Day get-together. Whether you need a theme for a winter birthday party or just want an excuse to celebrate, we have all the winter party themes you’ll need.
1. Après Ski
Joining in on the activities after a day on the mountain might just be one of the most perfect winter party themes! If you can’t shred the gnar, don’t worry; an après ski themed party makes the perfect theme for everyone. Set the tone by booking an epic DJ to play all the hits, build a roaring fire, and of course, you’ll want to have a shot ski on standby for tradition. Encourage guests to wear their best ski attire that is sure to put everyone in the snowy mood.
2. Awards Show Watch Party
We’re in the middle of awards show season, so roll out the red carpet to host a star-studded affair for the Emmys, Oscars, or Grammys that are coming up soon. Bring your watch party to life by taking details from the actual shows themselves. There’s always some sort of performance beforehand, so break the ice with a professional comedian that is sure to put guests in a good mood. Decorate your space with a luxurious red color scheme, serve sophisticated bites, and for a party favor, give guests their own personal award statue.
There are a number of awards shows coming up soon, so it makes one of the easiest ideas for winter celebration.
3. Galentine’s Day
This unofficially official holiday is typically celebrated February 13th, but you can host your Galentine’s Day bash whenever you want! Invite all your besties together for a fun night complete with cotton candy cocktails, heart shaped charcuterie, and chocolate covered strawberries. For fun party decorations, accent a wall with mylar heart balloons that will double as a backdrop for a photo booth, and get ready to binge all of your favorite rom-coms.
4. Winter Wonderland Theme
Is there anything more classic than a winter wonderland party theme? Turn your event space into a magical woodland setting filled with sparkling snow, candles, and evergreen accents. Book live acoustic musicians to play your favorite winter inspired tunes, organize a DIY snow globe crafting station, and if you’re feeling extra fancy, why not get an ice sculpture to wow guests?
5. Super Bowl Watch Party
The biggest game of the year takes place in the middle of winter, and you thought there was nothing to celebrate! Whip up the classic Super Bowl finger foods, put on our epic football playlist, and watch the two best football teams go head to head for their rings. Nothing beats a classic Super Bowl Sunday party!
Pro Tip: If you’re a football fan, checkout our Super Bowl Zoom backgrounds and mobile wallpapers for your next virtual party or meeting.
6. Snowman Building Competition
If you have snow and cold weather where you live, bundle up and take the party outside for a friendly snowman building competition. Assign guests to teams, and time them to see who can build a snowman the fastest, be the most creative, or make the biggest snowman! This is one of the most simple winter theme party ideas that is perfect for the colder months.
7. Regift Swap
Chances are, you probably received a gift that you didn’t want during the holidays. Rather than wondering what you can possibly do with it, host a regift swap to give it another life. Invite guests to bring a present they don’t need, swap around, and everyone will go home with a present they are excited about, hopefully. Winter theme party ideas don’t need to be complicated, work with things you already have!
8. Chinese New Year Celebration
The Lunar New Year and Year of the Dragon begins in February which focuses on bringing good luck and anticipation of the spring. Dive into Chinese culture by celebrating this special holiday with traditional food, decorations, activities, and entertainment. From fortune cookies to DIY paper lanterns, we have plenty of Chinese New Year party ideas for you to incorporate.
9. Winter Sports Tailgate
There are plenty of winter sports that you can host a tailgate party for. Football season is still going strong until February, as is hockey, basketball, and many more. Plan a day around your favorite game so you and your friends can watch it live together. Make sure to include all of the staples like team apparel, decorations, and all the delicious food and drinks.
10. Frozen Themed Party
Trying to find winter party themes that don’t have a Christmas undertone can be difficult, that’s why Disney’s Frozen is perfect for your next special event. Decorate your space with blue, purple, and white color schemes, snack on movie inspired treats like “we finish each other’s sandwiches,” and you can even book costumed characters that look just like Elsa and Anna or live animals like Sven.
11. Valentine’s Day
Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or have the “it’s complicated” status, anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day. Invite everyone you love together to celebrate this lovely holiday that doubles as a winter party theme. To start, you’ll obviously need a pink and red color scheme throughout, book party entertainment like singing telegrams or a jazz band, and play plenty of games. Some of our favorites include Cupid’s Arrow Toss, Guess the Chocolates, or Heart to Heart. Get all the inspiration for your party in our Valentine’s Day party planning guide.
12. Hot Beverages
Get comfy and cozy for this winter party theme with all of your favorite drinks of the season. Invite guests to bring the makings to whip up their favorite hot drink or warm cocktail to share with everyone. They can also bring recipe cards so everyone can recreate the drinks on their own this season. While you sample the different beverages, you can also have a hot cocoa station, a big pot of mulled wine, and even serve soup to keep the cozy vibes going.
13. Karaoke Party
Who doesn’t love singing along to their favorite songs? Invite all your pals over for karaoke—the ultimate indoor party activity! Book a karaoke DJ to bring the necessary equipment so your friends can party all season long. They’ll provide the screens, microphones, speakers, and plenty of song options so you don’t need to worry about a thing. If you want to get a headstart on your performance, check out our karaoke playlist with all of the classics.
14. Pajama Party
There’s a reason why pajama parties are a classic, they’re just too much fun! One of our favorite tried and true winter party theme ideas is a pajama party. Is there anything better than spending a cozy night with your friends, in your PJs? Invite guests to wear their favorite loungewear set and slippers for the ultimate winter party theme. Cuddle up on the couch, catch up with one another, and of course make sure all of the classic pajama party foods are there like pizza and ice cream.
15. Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, aka, Fat Tuesday always falls some time in February or March, so it makes one of the best winter theme party ideas! You’ll want to channel traditional aspects of The Big Easy if you’re hosting a Mardi Gras party. Decorate your space with the signature colors of purple, green, and gold, whip up a King Cake and hurricane cocktails, and book exciting entertainment like a brass band or caricaturist to get the party started.
16. Beer Tasting
There are plenty of different beers out there to host your own beer tasting with friends and family. We recommend hiring a bartender to walk you through the different types of IPAs, stouts, and ales that will give guests a deeper appreciation of their favorite brew. If you want to take things up a notch, browse different beer pairing guides so everyone can match snacks with their drinks.
If you’d rather sip on vino than beer, you’ll love hosting a winter wine tasting party!
17. St. Patrick’s Day
On March 17th, everyone’s Irish, so obviously you’ll need to throw a party to celebrate properly! Whether you host a parade pregame or a full blown party with plenty of shenanigans, St. Patrick’s Day is the time to go all out this winter. Book traditional music like a bagpiper, Irish band, or play our St. Patrick’s Day playlist to get the party started. Serve favorites like Rueben sliders, Shamrock Shakes, and Guinness, and of course you’ll want to wear all shades of green. Luckily we have all the St. Patrick’s Day party ideas you’ll need this year.
18. Indoor Camping
While camping season is still a few months away, bring the excitement inside for a unique winter party theme. Set up tents in your living room, get an indoor s’mores making kit, and organize all of the classic camping activities like flashlight tag, sleeping bag race, or storytelling. Keep the classic camping menu by serving chili, hot dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches at this winter sleepover.
Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of The Parent Trap, incorporate some Camp Walden ideas with our Parent Trap themed party guide.
19. BYOB: Bring Your Own Board
You’ve seen it all over TikTok, so this is your sign to bring this popular party theme to life. If you’re not familiar, the premise is simple; everyone brings their own board. Forget the traditional meat and cheese charcuterie board, this is your time to get creative! We’ve seen Chinese food boards, baked potato boards, or candy boards, you name it. Anything goes for this winter party theme!
20. Trivia Night
There are still plenty of fun activities you can incorporate into your winter theme party ideas. One of our favorites includes trivia. Pick your favorite topic like movies, pop culture, history—literally anything, for a fun friendly night of trivia. If you want to award prizes to the winners or teams, you can give out small things like gift cards.
21. Fire and Ice Theme
You either love the warm or cold, so combine the contrasting elements for a unique winter party theme. Encourage guests to embrace the theme by dressing in costumes inspired by fire and ice. This could include outfits representing mythical fire or ice creatures, or simply the colors associated with each element.
Take advantage of blue and orange color schemes by incorporating shining icicles and fiery flames in your decor. Stick with the theme in the menu by serving hot and spicy dishes like buffalo chicken wings and chocolate fondue, or chilled shrimp cocktail and ice cream sundaes. If you need help curating the menu, consider booking a caterer to make the perfect selection of food.
22. Casino Theme Party
If you’re a fan of James Bond or love a trip to the casino, incorporate the two for a Casino Royale winter themed party. Invite guests to dress to the nines in tuxedos, gowns, or whatever else makes them feel elegant and sophisticated. Decorate your space with life sized playing cards, ambient lighting, and a black and white color scheme.
To truly bring the casino theme to life, hire casino rental games including slot machines, Black Jack, and poker tables to keep everyone entertained. Keep the offerings classy and sophisticated with options like Oysters Rockefeller and martinis, shaken, not stirred. You’ll also want memorable entertainment from a talented live band, magician, or maybe even an Elvis impersonator for that Las Vegas charm.
23. Winter Brunch
While outdoor activities are limited in the winter, brunch is always a good option for this time of year. You can go to your favorite restaurant or serve brunch at home. If you want to try a DIY option, serve the favorites; pancakes, a bagel spread, and of course mimosas and bloody marys. Brunch is the perfect excuse to put on a cute outfit, see your friends, and celebrate everything.
24. Pizza Party
Everyone loves a pizza party, plus, it’s the perfect activity for a winter party theme! Invite friends over for a DIY pizza night so everyone can unleash their cooking talents. You’ll need pre-made pizza crusts or dough, sauce, and a variety of toppings. Make the evening even more memorable by getting takeout pizza boxes on Amazon so everyone can take home their leftovers.
25. Harry Potter Theme Party
The magical atmosphere and mystical setting of Harry Potter makes for an exciting winter party theme all Potterheads will love. Invite guests to dress in their best wizard attire, decorate your space with floating candles and house banners, and you’ll definitely want to serve Butterbeer and pumpkin pasties. Incorporate magical entertainment to this winter theme party like a magician, mentalist, or illusionist for the finishing touches.
Harry Potter Themed Party Guide
26. Winter Movie Night
You can never go wrong with sticking to the basics like hosting a winter movie night this season. Pop plenty of popcorn, get cozy in your favorite pajamas, and enjoy a relaxed night in with your friends and family. Some of our favorite winter movies include Frozen, Valentine’s Day, or even Twilight.
Find more party ideas and inspiration here on The Bash.
