50 Fun College Party Ideas

College is a time to make new friends and memories that you will remember for years to come. What better way to start off on the right foot by throwing a party? Whether you're a club leader, sorority or fraternity member, RA planning a residential event or just want to get your friends together, here are college party theme ideas where students are guaranteed to have fun.

Classic Favorites

Start your party-planning off with some classic college party favorites.

Throwback Celebration - Break out the denim outfits and scrunchies to throw it back to the 90's. Make sure to include boom boxes for music to truly capture the 90's vibe.
Into the Jungle - The jungle will be rumbling with all sorts of animals with this theme. Bring out your animal prints to dress up as tigers, snakes and more!
Rock N' Roll - Pick out your favorite rock n' roll band and dress up like the members of KISS, Guns and Roses and the Rolling Stones. Blow-up guitars and heavy eyeliner will help anybody fit right into the theme!
Luau Limbo - All floral patterns are welcome during this Hawaiian-themed party. Say aloha to all of your friends and set the scene with leis and tourist t-shirts.
Fright Night - Beware! Unusual amounts of vampires, zombies and ghosts will be on the loose. Bring out your inner monster and dress up as your spookiest self to have a scary good time.
Rave Rager - Bring out the neon outfits, black light and glow sticks for a party that will light up the night.
Pajama Party - If you've ever been too tired to get dressed for a party, here's your chance to roll right out of bed. Onesies and two-piece jammies are in style for this theme.
Classic Stereotypes - Whether you were a jock, nerd, skater or preppy cheerleader in high school, use this party to dress up as one of the stereotypical students at school.
Ski Lodge Social - Pull your snow gear from storage and dress up for this party centered around skiing and snowboarding. To nail the mood for the event, look into getting some fake snow and hot chocolate!
Heaven or Hell - Will you listen to the devil on your left shoulder or the angel on your right shoulder tonight? Dress up as one of the two to let everyone know.

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Masquerade Ball - Grab a mask and your formal attire to attend this gala complete with tuxedos, gowns and great music.
March Madness - If your formal or cocktail falls during March Madness, choose this basketball-centered theme to start the party off right. Whether you choose to support your school or just your favorite team, jerseys are welcome to replace formal attire.
Celebrity Sighting - Take a night to celebrate like you're a famous celebrity walking down the red carpet. Choose a specific celebrity to imitate or just glam up and be your fabulous self!
Casino Night - Reserve betting chips, a wheel and all your fake gambling needs for a night to remember. Instead of using actual money, just give everyone a certain amount of chips on entry and watch to see who can make the most with what they have!
Christmas Cocktail - Bring out your ugliest sweater to enjoy the holiday season. From grandma's knitting to a light-up purchase, the person with the most wonderfully hideous sweater will receive bragging rights for the night!
Dance for the Decades - Put on your flare jeans and zip up your go-go boots to celebrate the best of the past decades. The DJ should only play throwback jams like "Dancing Queen" and "September" to get everybody dancing to the best of each decade.
Fire and Ice - Choose either the fire theme or the ice theme for your outfit and have your date dress up as the other. Whether you focus on your darker, fiery side or your lighter, chill side, this theme will set an elegant scene for a good time.
Dynamic Duo's - Set the scene for the perfect date party with this theme. Choose your favorite partners in crime like SpongeBob and Patrick, peanut butter and jelly or Thing 1 and Thing 2 to dress up as and have fun guessing what other people are.
Olympics - Select a country from anywhere around the world and dress up as the best representation of that place. Everyone must have their own unique country and each can form a team to play fun, Olympic-inspired games at the event.
Bond Bash - Agent 007 has a new mission — to enjoy a James Bond-themed party! This date party includes one person dressing up as the legendary secret agent and the other as his Bond girl.
Roaring through the 20's - Take F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, and bring out the flapper costumes and jazz music to party like its 1920. Partner up with someone to dress up as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan to bring the novel to life.
Thrift Shop Prom - Take a trip to the nearest thrift shop to see if you can find any hidden treasures to wear to your next party.
My Tie - Gather two groups together and have the guys put their ties in a pile. The girls grab a tie, and whoever it belongs to is their date for the evening!
New Year's Jamboree - Create your own version of Times Square for a party to start the new year off right by watching the ball drop and spending time with friends. Sparkles and shiny outfits are encouraged to get the party started.
Turn Up in Togas - Turn your event into a celebration fit for Mount Olympus by having everyone dress up in the attire of the ancient Greeks. The best part is, everyone can use their own bed sheet for their costume!