Keeping in touch with high school classmates and old friends can be challenging, but planning a class reunion is an excellent way to reconnect and rekindle those cherished relationships. Whether new to planning special events or experienced, we have high school reunion ideas to help you effortlessly plan your class reunion and reminisce about the good ol’ days!
High School Reunion Basics
Before you explore fun class reunion ideas, you should work out a few basics. Starting with a solid foundation will make the rest of the planning much more enjoyable.
Form a class reunion committee
The first step for planning a high school reunion is to form a planning committee. If you are not the graduating class president, reach out to them first since they are typically responsible for reunion plans. Aim to keep the group small; too many people and competing ideas will make event planning difficult. Once you’ve gathered your team, it’s time to choose a reunion date and get to work!
Set the budget
As tough as it can be, setting a budget is one of the most important aspects of planning any event, especially one as involved as a reunion. Your school may be funding the event, but if not, you’ll need to raise money, rely on ticket sales, or fund it yourself to make it the rockin’ reunion you know it can be. With a clear budget set, you can start planning the gathering.
Choose a theme
Deciding on a clear party theme will help guide your decisions and make the event much more fun. You can choose many different themes with varying degrees of involvement and difficulty.
🕺 Decades Party: Plan your reunion around a specific era based on your reunion year and age. For 20-year reunions, party like it’s 1999, or take it back to the 80s for 30-year reunions.
🏖️ Beach Party: Embrace a relaxed, tropical vibe with beachwear, tiki torches, and sand. Include fun activities like a limbo contest or beach volleyball.
🎰 Casino Night: Host a classy casino night and set up casino games like poker, blackjack, and roulette. Guests can dress in Vegas-style attire and test their luck.
🎩 Roaring 20s: Transport guests to the jazz age with a 1920s party full of flapper dresses, pinstripe suits, and vintage jazz music. Decorate with art deco details and plenty of gold and black.
🕹️ Retro Game Night: Incorporate classic board, arcade, and video games from your high school years. Decorate with game-themed elements like vintage posters and themed props.
🎓 School Spirit: Emphasize school pride with decorations in your school colors, spirit banners, and memorabilia from your high school days. Encourage guests to wear school jerseys or colors.
Find the venue
Once you’ve gathered your committee, know your budget, and decided on a theme, you can work on finding the right event venue. If possible, hosting the reunion in the gym at your alma mater is perfect for taking a trip down memory lane. Depending on the time of year, an outdoor gathering at a local park is a budget-friendly and enjoyable space. Wherever you host the reunion, ensure it’s accessible and has enough space for all your classmates to mingle comfortably.
Send invites
Plan to post on social media to gain initial numbers, keep people updated, and create a place to reconnect. A Facebook group is a great place to start and can act as your reunion website. Use the page to send invites and post ongoing updates, allowing people to message each other, see who is on the guest list, and start to look forward to the occasion. Keep track of who you cannot contact on social media so you can find alternative ways to reach them.
High School Reunion Decor and Favors
Set the tone for the celebration with welcoming decor that invites nostalgia and joy. Add small details throughout the event, and don’t forget to include your school colors! Additionally, give out thoughtful party favors for guests to cherish long after the event ends. We have a few ideas to consider that can work for any theme.
Set the scene
Welcome guests to your high school reunion with a vibrant, scene-setting welcome banner or sign at the venue entrance. Craft a photo display with senior photos and various yearbook photos on the entry table to enhance the nostalgic atmosphere further. This will immediately spark memories and conversations among attendees as they think about their school days.
Add accents and details
Create a nostalgic ambiance at your high school reunion by incorporating accents and details throughout the event space that transport guests back in time and enhance the festive atmosphere. Plan for memorable photo opportunities by setting up your own photo booth with a themed selfie frame, perfect for capturing and sharing moments of laughter.
✔️ New to planning? This checklist will help: The Beginner’s Party Planning Checklist
Gift practical party favors
Party favors for a high school reunion are the perfect way to leave a lasting impression and give guests a keepsake from the event. Consider practical favors like customized coasters, a coffee mug, or a bottle opener keychain. These small tokens of appreciation serve as fun reminders of good times and cherished friendships.
High School Reunion Entertainment
Creating engaging activities is key to a memorable reunion. Provide opportunities for people to reconnect through games and interactive entertainment. Hire live performers to take your party to the next level, ensuring that guests are entertained and engaged throughout the event.
Create the atmosphere with music
Set the tone for your high school reunion with music that resonates with your classmates. Hire a cover band to play music from your high school era, a DJ to bring back memories of prom night, or a jazz band for a touch of sophistication and nostalgia.
Plan interactive entertainment
Interactive games will help break the ice and spark conversation to ensure everyone has a blast and gets to know each other. Book entertainers such as caricaturists capture the moment with humor and flair or a thrilling murder mystery to engage everyone in solving the puzzle together. These activities will add a lively and memorable element to your high school reunion, fostering camaraderie and laughter among classmates.
Engage with unique performers
Make your high school reunion an event to remember by bringing in talented performers to entertain your guests. Consider hiring an impersonator who embodies the spirit of your generation, a strolling magician to dazzle with sleight of hand, or a comedian to keep everyone laughing. These entertainers will not only ensure a great time but also that your reunion stands out as a truly memorable occasion.
High School Reunion Menu
Crafting the perfect menu for your high school reunion is about blending the old with the new, creating a culinary journey that transports guests to their teenage years while satisfying adult palates. Here’s how to bring a touch of nostalgia to every bite and sip, ensuring your reunion is as unforgettable as it is delicious.
Serve sophisticated twists
When planning the menu, mix nostalgia with sophistication to delight your guests. Take people back to their younger years with adult versions of childhood favorites like sloppy joes or a creative take on Pigs in a Blanket. Charcuterie boards are basically grown-up lunchables, and they’re great for a large crowd.
Cheers to the past
Kick off the festivities with drinks that blend past joys and creativity. In addition to bar staples, provide some pop culture-inspired cocktails based on your graduation year or childhood favorites. For example, those celebrating a 20-year class reunion will fondly remember Capri Suns. For a flavorful, non-alcoholic option, make an easy fruit punch. Based on your budget, you can choose to have an open bar or cash bar, which can help fund your next reunion.
🍹 Read this for more cocktail ideas: Creative Cocktail Party Ideas That Will Make Everyone Cheers
Offer nostalgic treats
Indulge your guests’ sweet tooth with treats that blend childhood favorites with a grown-up twist. Make youthful treats like slab pie, which pays homage to pop tarts or peanut butter and jelly bars. Add a DIY ice cream sundae bar with plenty of topping options to please different tastes.
Planning a high school reunion can be both exciting and rewarding, bringing old friends together for a memorable event. We hope that these class reunion ideas help you create the perfect high school reunion that offers a time to reconnect, reminisce, and create new memories. Here’s to the past, the present, and the bright futures ahead! 🥂🎉
Ready to book something awesome for your reunion? Find the best musicians, entertainers, and event services on GigSalad.
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.