10 Party Trends for 2024
Happy New Year and welcome to 2024! Some of last year’s hot party trends are still going strong; we’ll continue to move through and adjust to the permanent changes brought by the pandemic.
Check out what I predict are going to be the hot 2024 party trends. As always, these are just suggestions. If there is a trend that you absolutely must have (I see you, Barbie) and it works for you, by all means, carry on.
Anything Pantone Color of The Year
Anything PANTONE Color of the Year is always on the list. Let’s give a warm 2024 welcome to this year’s Peach Fuzz; “…a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless…”
Such a 180 from last year’s Viva Magenta, Peach Fuzz is a sweet color that pairs fabulously with just about any color! From florals to backdrops and fabulous ensembles, you will be seeing peach everywhere, like Meri Meri’s peach floral party table.
Put A Bow On It
ICYMI, bows are having a serious moment and will dominate in 2024. According to Pinterest Trends, bow stacking with fashion will be everywhere…and on the party circuit. I already posted it as a hot 2023 holiday trend, and we will continue to see this delicate detail. Look no further than the Queens of the Party Bow, Bonjour Fete’s featured Parisian Party, photo by Aubrey Taiese.
Grandpa Core
2022 and 2023 saw the rise of Grandmillennial Chic and Coastal Grandma, serene blues and whites, breezy linen, and beachy touches…picture Martha Stewart in chambray and khakis, clipping hydrangeas into a basket. 2024 is the Year of Grandpa Core, bringing back nostalgia by updating classics, from antique bookshelves and dark leather furniture to sweater vests and vintage loafers…picture Tyler The Creator or Studio McGee.
For events and parties, decor tends to skew ‘masculine’ but by no means is it limited to a gender. It is a traditional moody aesthetic, with minimal touches, maximum impact, and serious style. From lots of foliage and simple flowers (think baby’s breath, daises, etc.) to neutral color palettes and lots of texture, like wood, metal, and glass, like this copper beverage bar featured on Stone Wood Vintage.
Disco With a Twist
Speaking of metal, metallics are in, especially disco balls! If you’ve been here awhile, you know I love disco balls, they are a classic that works year-round. This year will be about party themes with a disco twist. From still-trending Barbie parties with a disco twist to cowboy/cowgirl disco themes, think Denim and Diamonds. Case in point, my 50th (!!!) birthday party this year will be an 80s disco-inspired throwback, and how about this PJs, Prosecco and Disco Party from White Kitchen Red Wine.
Vintage and Retro Party Themes
You didn’t think disco balls would have a moment and not mention vintage and retro-themed parties! Nostalgia is the word for 2024, especially for those of us who begin a sentence with “Twenty years ago….” Sir, that was 2004.
It is all about combining the nostalgia of a decades-themed party with another theme, like, cough, disco cowboy, or Barbie. Perhaps you are inspired by your favorite period piece movie, like Clueless, or Moulin Rouge. The best part, anytime guests can dress in the theme, it will be a hot party, like this vintage 1940s-inspired birthday party featured on Kara’s Party Ideas, photo by Riddle Road Photography.
Digital and Interactive Elements
Remember back in 2017 when I said technology was the wave of the party future? Thanks to COVID, we have watched an explosion in incorporating digital elements from streaming a wedding ceremony to online event planning tools.
Digital elements are not going away. They will be used to turn guests from passive observers to active participants, making their time at your event more memorable. For example, drone displays are taking over. On New Year’s Eve, at our Space Needle in Seattle, drones were used along with fireworks, for a dazzling light show. From immersing your guests in virtual reality (VR) entertainment to LED video walls for moving and grooving, digital and interactive elements are going to be a big part of 2024 events.
Sustainability
We talked about eco-friendly party planning with sustainable decor elements in our 2020 round-up, and it is a growing trend. Digital invitations, reusable or compostable items like natural and organic materials, farm-to-table/foraged menus, low-waste wrapping, and using local vendors are just a few ways to reduce your event’s footprint.
Food and Beverages With a WOW Factor
From amazing presentation ideas to beautiful customization and details (I see you cocktail smokers and designer ice) going the extra mile with your menu is super hot this year. Interactive food stations are a great way for guests to…well, interact. Grazing boards and DIY food stations will continue to be popular in 2024. I love having a food station set up for entertaining. From wood-fire pizza parties and champagne towers to mobile food vendors are all fabulous ways to encourage guests to mingle and experiment. How adorable is The Little Margarita Truck?
To The Max
Stripes, scallops, and checkerboard, oh my! The maximalist look is already taking the party world by storm with explosive colors, bold patterns, and textures. Don’t be afraid to mix and match color combos. Furbish Studios is one of my favorite retailers that isn’t afraid to bring all types of colors and patterns together. Check out their post for a few pairing tips.
Plus, check out my Elements of Design series that shares how to use basic design tenets like repetition and proportion that can help you mix things up with flair.
High-Low Chic
Between save vs. splurge roundups, and dupes galore of high-end items, everyone wants to have an amazing party, a fabulous outfit, or drop-dead home decor. After all, don’t we all have champagne taste and a sparkling cider budget? Thanks to a little app called TikTok, tablescapes are featuring a mix of high and low items. Most party and event planners are masters at this. I’ve been mixing and matching my vintage pieces with box store items for years.
This trend will contiune to trend in 2024, especially with an eye on sustainability. From using recyclable paper products, or thrifting or borrowing items, save money in some areas and splurge in others.
Are there any hot 2024 party trends you would like to try?
