The 1920s, also known as the Roaring 20s, is a captivating time period in American history, filled with iconic styles, influential art, and significant events. It’s an excellent choice for a party theme. Here are five fun themes for a Roaring 20s party!
1. The Great Gatsby Party
Channel the grandeur of Jay Gatsby’s iconic party with a Great Gatsby theme. From a glitzy wedding reception to a festive New Year’s Eve party, this theme is perfect for those who want a sparkling celebration.
🪶 Decor
Think glittering gold, luxurious silk, and decadent crystal. Adorn tables with towering feather centerpieces and champagne flutes. Try upcycling old wine bottles or other containers by spray painting them black or gold. Add glitter or pearls for a finishing touch! Create an entrance worthy of the Roaring Twenties with a cascading golden curtain or a balloon arch for your glamorous guests.
🦪 Food
Indulge in a feast fit for upper society. Serve classic cocktails like the Mint Julep and Champagne Tower. For bites, offer elegant canapés and hors d’oeuvres — think shrimp cocktails and oysters Rockefeller. Gatsby would approve of the lavish spread!
🎶 Entertainment
Hire a live swing band to transport your guests to the music-filled nights of the 1920s. Consider a Charleston dance competition led by a jazz dancer to keep everyone involved in the festivities! And, of course, every Great Gatsby-themed party needs a photo booth for capturing those timeless moments.
2. Speakeasy Soiree
Tap into the mystery and intrigue that comes along with a hidden speakeasy! Your guests will love the rebellious vibe of this 1920s-themed party. It’s perfect for birthday parties, engagements, and murder mystery events.
🕯️ Decor
Transform your venue into a hidden speakeasy with dim lighting and clandestine corners. Use whiskey barrels as tables, and hang Edison bulbs to create an intimate ambiance. Don’t forget the iconic “Password Required” sign at the entrance, adding an air of mystery to the evening.
🍸 Food
Keep it hush-hush with a secret menu featuring Prohibition-era cocktails. Serve classic drinks like the Old Fashioned, the Sidecar, or the Martinez. For snacks, offer sliders, deviled eggs, and other finger foods that transport guests to a time of secrecy and indulgence.
🎷 Entertainment
For a touch of illicit fun, book a casino game company to help host a secret card game or a blackjack table. Consider hiring a saxophone player to play sultry tunes, and don’t be surprised if a few flappers break out into spontaneous dances. Speakeasies were all about breaking the rules, after all!
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3. Jazz Age Jamboree
Jazz music and dance began to gain popularity in the 1920s, so it’s a perfect theme for music lovers! Let your inhibitions down with great music and a flapper mentality. Consider this roaring 20s party theme for birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, or holiday celebrations.
✨ Decor
Create a vibrant atmosphere with colorful decor that captures the spirit of the Jazz Age. Use bold patterns, bright hues, and lively decorations to transport guests to the carefree days of flapper fashion and swinging jazz.
🍤 Food
Serve up a feast inspired by the diverse culinary influences of the Jazz Age. From Southern soul food to international delights, offer a menu that reflects the melting pot of flavors characteristic of the era.
💃 Entertainment
Hire a lively jazz band to keep guests on the dance floor. A beautiful dance troupe can put on a show with classic dance moves like the Charleston or other jazz-inspired choreography. This theme is about letting loose and celebrating the joyous spirit of the Jazz Age.
4. Vintage Hollywood Glam
Movie lovers can celebrate Old Hollywood by choosing this theme! Celebrate the days when silent movie stars like Charlie Chaplin and Marion Davies were all the rage. Milestone events like 50th birthday parties and bachelorette shindigs lend themselves perfectly to this party idea.
🎬 Decor
Embrace the glamour of Old Hollywood with black and white decor, gold accents, and plush velvet furnishings. Incorporate vintage film reels and Hollywood stars for an extra touch of glitz. Roll out a red carpet for a dramatic entrance.
🍿 Food
Your party food should be inspired by classic Hollywood fare. Think gourmet popcorn, truffle fries, and elegant finger sandwiches. Create a signature cocktail named after a silver screen legend — perhaps the Marilyn Mule or the Chaplin Collins.
🥸 Entertainment
Set the stage for celebrity sightings with a Charlie Chaplin impersonator. Consider hosting a costume contest where guests can showcase their best Old Hollywood-inspired looks. Don’t forget to book a photographer to capture the star-studded affair!
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5. Prohibition Garden Party
Create a secret garden oasis reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties but with a prohibition twist. This blends the rebellious feeling of Prohibition with the sophistication of a garden party! It’s great for co-ed baby showers, adult birthday parties, or Mother’s Day celebrations.
💐 Decor
Adorn your venue with lush greenery, fairy lights, and vintage lanterns. Set up cozy lounge areas with Gatsby-inspired furniture and floral arrangements. This garden escape will transport your guests to a hidden paradise.
🥪 Food
Craft a menu that embraces the garden theme with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Serve botanical-infused cocktails and light, refreshing appetizers. Think cucumber sandwiches, fruit skewers, and herb-infused beverages that bring the essence of the outdoors to your Prohibition Garden Party.
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🎻 Entertainment
Elevate the atmosphere with a live classical duo playing amidst the greenery. Consider incorporating lawn games like croquet or bocce to keep the guests entertained. Encourage your attendees to wear flapper-inspired florals and dapper party attire so they feel truly immersed in a 1920s garden party.
6. Art Deco Delight
Art Deco style was extremely popular in the 20s, making for a creative and unique theme! Its modern lines and interesting patterns work perfectly for events from engagement parties to birthday bashes.
💠 Decor
Embrace the geometric elegance of the Art Deco era with bold patterns, metallic accents, and sleek lines. Incorporate angular shapes into your table settings and backdrops while opting for black and gold color schemes.
🍰 Food
Keep the culinary experience as stylish as your decor with geometrically shaped desserts and appetizers. You can save a little effort by using themed toppers for cupcakes or cakes! Serve cocktails in sleek, Art Deco-inspired glassware, and encourage guests to embrace the sophistication of the era.
🖌️ Entertainment
Give your guests a themed souvenir by hiring a caricature artist to sketch some Art Deco-inspired portraits. Other options include a live painting artist or silhouette artist to mesmerize your guests with their art.
7. Literary Legends Celebration
Let’s not forget all of the great authors who graced the 1920s era! Transport your guests into the golden age of literature with an ambiance inspired by the works of writers like Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, and William Faulkner. This theme is great for book club parties, library events, and groups of history buffs.
📖 Decor
Create a space dedicated to your favorite author or novel. Channel the rustic charm of Hemingway with vintage typewriters, leather-bound books, and globes. For Virginia Woolf, think of ethereal elegance with floating flowers and pastel hues. Faulkner’s Southern charm can be captured with rustic wooden elements and touches of Southern hospitality.
🍵 Menu
Craft a literary-inspired menu that pays homage to the favorite drinks of these great modernists. For Hemingway aficionados, serve whiskey & sodas or classic Daiquiris. Embrace Southern flavors with mint juleps and Southern comfort food for the Faulkner devotees. Offer tea-infused cocktails and delicate finger foods for Virginia Woolf enthusiasts. Include thematic elements inspired by the iconic novels – perhaps Gatsby-themed cupcakes or Hemingway’s favorite tapas.
🎤 Entertainment
Immerse your guests in the literary legacy with entertainment that mirrors the creativity of these iconic writers. Host a literary trivia game, challenging guests on the works of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Woolf, and more. Consider hiring a spoken word artist for a more bohemian touch. To bring the world of literature to life, arrange dramatic readings of excerpts from the celebrated novels by a storyteller.
From decor to food and entertainment, these 1920s party themes promise an unforgettable journey back in time. So, dust off those flapper dresses and polish those wingtip shoes – the ultimate Roaring Twenties extravaganza awaits! Happy planning, party maestros! ✨
Ready to book something classic for your Roaring 20s party? Find entertainment and event services on GigSalad.
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.