High school students wait all year for prom night, so make sure it’s unforgettable. When planning the big event, think outside the box. You don’t have to have the same old boring thing that every other school has. While we do have some classics, get creative and add your own twist with these prom theme ideas!
The focus of this article is prom, but many of these themes also work great for other high school dances like homecoming or winter formal.
Smoke and Mirrors
In the vein of mysterious prom themes, try taking a page out of the magician’s book. Think mystical and moody like the Phantom of the Opera, or imagine you’re decorating a set for Harry Potter. A masquerade ball also lends itself well to this theme!
🌹 Decor
Decorate your prom venue with drapery in darker colors with rich tones, like burgundy or deep blue. Use small mirrors on the tables as the base for your centerpieces, and incorporate soft, glowing candles or red roses. Don’t forget the fog machine for a mystical atmosphere.
🍓 Menu
Most prom attendees will probably have eaten dinner before, so you only need small bites. Stick to the theme and color palette by making these scrumptious chocolate-covered strawberry roses. Keep the mess at bay and provide a more savory option with mini cheese balls on a pretzel stick!
🎩 Entertainment
To get everyone into the spirit, book a strolling magician. Whether it’s card tricks, mind reading, coin tricks, or other illusions, magicians are always a crowd-pleaser. This can help engage those wallflowers because who doesn’t love magic?
Arabian Nights
Culturally rich prom themes are becoming more popular and are visually stunning. Let your high schoolers get caught in a dance and lost in a trance with an Arabian night.
✨ Decor
Bright and beautiful colors will punch up your space, and it’s easy to decorate with multiple fabrics, glassware, and lights. Hang colorful paper lanterns and string lights across the ceiling. Then add multi-colored or multi-patterned tablecloths for even more dimension.
🍹 Menu
Stay on theme with Middle Eastern-inspired snacks. Maybe a hummus bar or a myriad of Middle Eastern dips, so everyone can try something new. Don’t stop at the snacks. Consider making some Qamar Al-deen, a traditional apricot drink, to further enrich the cultural experience on prom night.
💃 Entertainment
Add even more excitement with belly dancers or Bollywood dancers! The music is energetic, and the costumes are amazing! There’s nothing better for entertaining people who usually have their noses in a cell phone. Bring a little culture to your student body with this theme!
Under the Big Top
Becoming a classic among other prom themes, we couldn’t leave out the circus! Its bright colors and whimsical aesthetic are sure to be a hit with the students, especially fans of The Greatest Showman!
🎪 Decor
Drape red and white fabric from the ceiling to the walls with string lights to transform your space into a 3-ring circus tent. Don’t forget to include a photo op! Create your own backdrop or hire a photo booth.
🍿 Menu
Keep it simple but on theme by bringing in fun concessions to satiate your prom-goers. Make sure you cover all your carnival classics like popcorn, cotton candy, and animal crackers. You can also hire a professional to set up an elaborate candy or dessert bar.
🤸 Entertainment
Your options are endless for a big-top theme. Book strolling circus entertainers like stilt walkers and sword swallowers for a true Bailey and Barnum vibe. Or, if your venue has high enough ceilings, an aerialist will take your prom night to new heights.
👉 You may also like: 30 Prom Entertainment Ideas for an Extraordinary Evening
Welcome to Hollywood
Prom is no ordinary school dance, so turn it into an extraordinary night on the red carpet. Break out the paparazzi for your attendees with a fun Hollywood prom theme!
🎬 Decor
Roll out the red carpet and put up a photo backdrop for everyone to take pictures in front of as they arrive. Keep the decor glamorous and chic with black and red tables topped with tall vases filled with white feathers. White drapery on the walls will help everyone’s outfits pop!
🥂 Menu
Serve punch in tall stemmed champagne glasses, and use clear or gold plates with cloth napkins. It’s all about class with this theme. Your snacks should be sleek but simple. Serve bite-sized foods that can be easily grabbed with sticks or forks.
🥸 Entertainment
Add star power to your prom with a celebrity Impersonator like Tom Cruise or Leonardo DiCaprio (he’d be perfect for a Great Gatsby theme, too). For an Old Hollywood feel, hire classic stars like Marilyn Monroe or Frank Sinatra. Talk about an awesome prom picture opportunity!
Bright Lights, Big City
Students are dreaming big as they finish their high school careers, which often means big-city aspirations. Make dreams come true with an exciting New York prom theme.
🌆 Decor
Mimic the New York City lights by using black drapery with white twinkle lights along the walls. Section off your venue with various landmarks for inspiration. Enter on Broadway, enjoy refreshments in Central Park, and dance the night away in Times Square.
🌭 Menu
You can’t walk far in New York City without running into a food vendor, so provide snacks reminiscent of what you would find on the city streets. Think hotdogs, pretzels, and toasted nuts to bring a real city feel to prom.
✏️ Entertainment
New York City is known for street performers and buskers. One popular attraction you’ll often find is a live caricaturist. Prom photos are an old standby, but having a hand-drawn version of your cartoon self? Priceless!
Bohemian Paradise
To embrace your free spirit without filling the room with peace signs, a bohemian party theme can be perfect. Not to mention the colorful and comfortable prom outfit opportunities!
🪻 Decor
Embrace mismatched chairs, printed tablecloths, and colorful dishware for a boho look. Flowers or other greenery, candles, old books, and eclectic frames are great for the tables. Just think of it as a mix of “gypsy” and “enchanted forest,” and you can’t go wrong!
🧁 Menu
Keep the snack table as bright and sweet as the decor. Consider macarons and mini cupcakes for a lovely aesthetic and scrumptious snack for your bohemian prom.
🎸 Entertainment
There are a lot of music options for a boho theme. An indie or folk band can get the party started while guests arrive and grab refreshments. Then a DJ or cover band will be great for when the dancing starts!
Springtime in Paris
They say there is nothing more beautiful than Paris in the spring. And since prom often takes place during this beautiful season, a Parisian spring theme would be perfect.
🌷 Decor
For this or other romantic prom themes, incorporate archways with fresh flowers, baskets of fresh bread, old bicycles, cobblestone streets, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Create a runner down the main aisle painted with “cobblestones” that lead to the dance floor.
🥐 Menu
When we think Paris, we think pastries! Serve sweet treats like cream puffs and eclairs to create the perfect Parisian ambiance.
🤹 Entertainment
Paris is another city known for its street performances. Mimes, human statues, and jugglers are all entertainers that you’ll find working the city streets. Have them make their way through the refreshment area so even those who aren’t dancing can enjoy the evening!
Jungle Boogie
Get wild on prom night with a jungle theme. To avoid getting too tacky, keep it sophisticated by sticking with natural elements.
🥬 Decor
Use large elephant ear leaves, ferns, or other greenery to build the feeling of being lost in the jungle. Faded animal prints for placemats, tablecloths, or throw pillows will break up all the green. Using tropical flowers like hibiscus can add pops of color.
🍍 Menu
Keep things tropical with light and easy-to-make refreshments. Fruit kabobs would be a great snack to grab and mingle. And a pineapple punch would be a perfect drink for a jungle theme.
🥁 Entertainment
For jungle entertainment, try a drum show or dance troupe. Most performers have versatile costumes that can fit your theme and can tailor their performance to your needs. Having something unexpected can be a great way to keep the energy up throughout prom night.
What Happens in Vegas
For a true party vibe, a Vegas theme is perfect. Bright lights, loud music, and endless dancing will make for a prom night you won’t soon forget!
🎲 Decor
Neon is the main staple of the Las Vegas strip, so it’s a perfect base for your decorations. Think neon dance floors, lighting, and disco balls. Vegas is all about the glitz and glam and, of course, casino games. Use dice, cards, poker chips, martini glasses, and all things sparkly to decorate the tables.
🍪 Menu
Since everyone will be busy on the dance floor, quick sugary snacks that will keep everyone’s energy up are the way to go for a Vegas-themed prom!
🎰 Entertainment
A club DJ is perfect for a night in Vegas. They can read the crowd and know what to play to get people moving. If the prom committee can get approval, casino game rentals like roulette or blackjack would add some real Vegas authenticity!
💝 Get ready to ask the big question! Check out our 15 creative proposal ideas and share the list with your friends and classmates as well!
Prom is one of the most exciting and memorable events of the high school experience! Take time to plan something special, and make sure your fit and promposal are on point with these creative prom ideas. 💙
Ready to bring one of your prom themes to life? Book something awesome at 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.