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Host A Totally Awesome 80s Party Theme!
An 80s themed party is bold, nostalgic, colorful, and incredibly fun to plan. this complete party planning guide will walk you through everything you need to create an unforgettable 80s night — without overspending.
Find even more tips about Events & Hosting and explore Party Themes and ideas for your next celebration!
This post may contain affiliate links for items that I’ve found helpful as a host. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Start with a Clear 80s Party Plan & Budget
Before buying neon decor or creating a playlist, define:
- Dress code expectations
- Guest count
- Venue (home, backyard, rented hall)
- Food & drink style (snack bar, potluck, catered)
- Entertainment focus (dance party, karaoke, games)
Tip: Prioritize music and atmosphere — those are the heart of an 80s party.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
| Decor | $75- $150 |
| Food & Drinks | $150 – $250 |
| Entertainment | $50 – $150 |
| Favors & Printables | $25-50 |
| Venue | Free – $? |
Need help organizing your planning schedule?
Download this Event Planning Timeline document to help you!
This post may contain affiliate links for items that I’ve found helpful as a host. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
NOTE: Many of these items throughout my site are also copyrighted through my Etsy or Teachers Pay Teachers store. If you download a resource from my For Grits & Shins website, they are for your PERSONAL use only. You may not sell any of my original documents or designs, even with modifications of my content.
Totally Rad 80s Decorations
Color & Decor Ideas
- Metallic silver
- Neon pink, lime green, electric blue
- Black with neon accents
- Foil accents
- DIY Neon banners – florescent colored cardstock and string
- “I Love the 80s” Sign – use a dot matrix font!
- DIY Printable “Back to the 80s” Sign – print and paste the ends together to create your banner
Backdrop & Wall Decor
- Cassette tape cutouts
- DIY Vinyl record wall display
- DIY graffiti poster – Draw on board/colored butcher paper or Colorful Brick Wall backdrop from Amazon
- Foil fringe backdrop
- Set the glow party atmosphere – Black light set (Amazon) to bring out the florescent colors
Table Decor
- Boom box props or inflatable boom box cooler (doubles as decor and drink holder from Amazon)
- Neon tablecloths or Neon table runner/floor runner accents
- Jelly neon Bracelets (Amazon)- scatter across tables (could be guest favors too)
- DIY Rubik’s cube centerpieces – construction paper, scissors and glue stick supplies
Photo Booth Ideas & Costume
- 80s Retro Car Cardboard DeLorean cutout or other similar 80s icon celebrity cutouts as props
- Inflatable microphones
- 80s sunglasses – Use for guest favors
- Leg warmers & scrunchies
- Print online images of 80s icons for props
Pro Tip: Create a hashtag sign for social sharing.
You don’t have to create new menus for every occasion. Sometimes all you need is a creative name and change up the display to put a new spin on a popular favorite dish like you’ll find in Goodies for Foodies. Try it!
80s Fun & Nostalgic Party Food & Drinks
Don’t Gag Me with a Spoon Goodies
Keep food simple and themed with playful names.
- Totally Tubular Pizza Slices – Remember the Noid campaign from Domino’s?
- Radical Sliders
- Pac-Man Nachos
- Jell-O cups
- Pigs in a Blanket
Sweet Treats
- Neon frosted cupcakes
- Pop Rocks station
- Cosmic Brownies
- Ice cream floats
Drinks
- “Material Girl” mocktail
- Electric Blue punch
- Classic soda bar
- Wine coolers (for adult events)
Create simple food tent labels with retro fonts for added impact.
This post may contain affiliate links for items that I’ve found helpful as a host. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Add a Murder Mystery Party to Your 80s Theme
If you need another reason to fully embrace the neon lights, big hair, and side ponytails of the 1980s, a murder mystery party is the perfect addition to your 80s theme.
Unlike traditional parties that rely only on costumes and decorations, a mystery party creates an interactive experience where guests become part of the story. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn your event into something truly memorable.
How to Choose the Right Mystery Party Kit
Here are many ready-to-use mystery party kits available online, making planning simple. When choosing a kit, look for:
- number of characters (match your guest list)
- storyline and theme
- level of complexity
- included materials (scripts, clues, invitations)
👉 Tip: Always read reviews and descriptions carefully to ensure the kit fits your group size and experience level.
Recommended 80s Mystery Party Kits
One of the most successful kits I’ve personally used is:
1986 Murder Mystery by My Mystery Party
This kit was a hit at my event and includes everything needed to host a seamless party. The downloadable format makes it easy to prepare without waiting for shipping.
What’s included:
- host instruction guide
- printable materials
- solution file
- access to video content (via Vimeo and YouTube)
Other Mystery Party Kit Options
Another company I’ve had a great experience with is:
- Night of Mystery – They offer a variety of themed mystery party kits with detailed instructions and engaging storylines.
👉 Note: I don’t receive commissions for these recommendations—I’m simply sharing options that worked well for my events.
Why an 80s Mystery Party Works
An 80s-themed mystery party combines:
- nostalgic fun
- role-playing
- group interaction
Guests aren’t just attending—they’re participating, solving clues, and playing characters throughout the night.
This makes it ideal for:
- adult birthday parties
- girls’ night
- themed events
- small group gatherings
80s Entertainment
The 80s were all about music, dance, and over-the-top fun.
🎵 Music Must-Haves
- Madonna
- Michael Jackson
- Bon Jovi
- Prince
- Whitney Houston
- Cyndi Lauper
- Culture Club
Create:
- Spotify playlist
- Dance contest
- Freeze dance
- Limbo contest
🎤 Interactive Ideas
- Karaoke station
- Lip sync battle
- Best dressed contest
- 80s trivia game
- Retro video game station (Nintendo, Pac-Man, etc.)
Optional upgrade: Hire a DJ or create a glow dance floor section.
📩 Invitation Ideas
- Digital retro-themed invites
- Cassette tape design
- Neon graphic email invites
- Editable Canva templates
Encourage guests to dress in:
- Off-shoulder sweatshirts
- Leg warmers
- Acid wash jeans
- Side ponytails
- Windbreakers
- Neon accessories
🎁 Budget-Friendly Favors
- Custom printable “I Survived the 80s” tags
- Glow sticks
- Fingerless gloves
- Colorful plastic bracelets
- Mini Rubik’s cubes
- Retro candy bags
- Neon sunglasses
These can double as decor AND guest favors.
Visit the FG&S Downloads & Printables page to find more party resources you can use in your next event!
Final Takeaways
An 80s themed party is vibrant, energetic, and perfect for guests of all ages. With bold decorations, nostalgic food, interactive games, and a dance-worthy playlist, you can recreate the magic of the decade without overspending.
Focus on color, music, and participation — those elements create the experience guests remember most.
When planned intentionally, your 80s night will be totally rad from start to finish.
Coming Soon: More themed party guides in party themes to help you host with confidence.
NOTE: If you download a resource from my For Grits & Shins website, they are for your PERSONAL use only. You may not resell any of my original documents or designs, even with modifications of my content. All SVG downloads are digital, no physical item is available.
