Planning a dance event and seeking the perfect theme to electrify the atmosphere? Whether it’s for a high school prom, a lively class reunion, a sophisticated corporate event, or a joyful community gathering, choosing the right dance theme is crucial to setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. Dive into our extensive list of Dance Themes, designed to spark your imagination and ensure your event is a resounding success.
Dance themes based on older decades
1. Fun & Creative Dance Themes
Inject energy and excitement into your dance floor with these fun and imaginative theme ideas, guaranteed to bring smiles and create memorable moments.
Under the Sea
Dive into an enchanting underwater world with an “Under the Sea” dance theme. Transform your venue into an aquatic wonderland using soft blues, greens, and shimmering silvers to mimic ocean hues. Enhance the ambiance with bubble machines, flowing fabrics like tulle to represent waves, and marine-themed decorations such as starfish, seashells, and inflatable sea creatures. Consider lighting effects to simulate the refracted light of the ocean depths.
Space Theme
Launch your guests into orbit with a “Space Theme” dance. Create a cosmic atmosphere with dark backdrops representing the vastness of space, accented by twinkling fairy lights and projections of stars, planets, and galaxies. Use metallic colors like silver, gold, and deep blues and purples. Neon accents can add a futuristic touch. Think about incorporating elements like astronaut helmets or planet cutouts for photo opportunities.
Rainforest Theme
Bring the vibrant energy of the jungle to your dance floor with a “Rainforest Theme”. Decorate with lush greenery, including palm leaves, ferns, and tropical flowers. Use a rich color palette of greens, browns, and vibrant floral hues. Incorporate animal prints, faux vines, and perhaps even sound effects of jungle ambiance to fully immerse your guests in this wild theme.
Block Party
For a relaxed and social vibe, a “Block Party” theme offers a unique twist. Recreate the casual and festive atmosphere of a neighborhood street party. Use decorations like faux street signs, “building” facades made from cardboard boxes, string lights, and colorful banners. Consider incorporating fun elements like a popcorn machine, a DIY photo booth with street art backdrops, or even games reminiscent of street fairs.
Carnival or Circus
Step right up to a “Carnival or Circus” themed dance, filled with excitement and spectacle. Embrace bold and vibrant colors like red, yellow, and blue. Create a circus tent effect with striped fabrics draped from the ceiling. Incorporate classic circus elements like balloons, popcorn machines, and funhouse mirrors. Consider stilt walkers or jugglers for entertainment, or set up carnival game booths for interactive fun.
Hollywood Theme
Roll out the red carpet for a glamorous “Hollywood Theme” dance. This theme is effortlessly elegant and universally appealing. Decorate with red carpets, velvet ropes, and paparazzi backdrops for photo opportunities. Use gold and black as primary colors, accented with sparkling details. Consider awards ceremony elements, like mock Oscars, and encourage guests to dress in their finest Hollywood attire.
Neon/Glow Party
neon body paint will be fun at a glow party
Light up the night with a vibrant “Neon/Glow Party” dance theme. Utilize blacklights to make neon colors pop. Provide guests with glow sticks, neon accessories, and even neon body paint to enhance the glowing effect. Decorate with neon balloons, streamers, and geometric shapes. Dark backgrounds will maximize the impact of the neon elements.
Alien Theme
Go intergalactic with an “Alien Theme” dance. Embrace extraterrestrial creativity with otherworldly decorations. You could lean towards a futuristic spaceship aesthetic with metallic silvers and blues, or a more whimsical alien landscape with bright greens and purples. Incorporate elements like inflatable aliens, UFO cutouts, and shimmering fabrics to create a unique and fun atmosphere.
Night Under the Stars Theme
Create a celestial and romantic ambiance with a “Night Under the Stars” dance theme. Drape the venue in dark blue or black fabrics to simulate the night sky. Use copious amounts of fairy lights, string lights, and star-shaped decorations to mimic constellations. Project star patterns onto the walls and ceiling for a truly immersive experience.
Pirate Theme
woman dressed a pirate for adult party theme
Set sail for adventure with a “Pirate Theme” dance. Transform your venue into a swashbuckling scene with pirate flags, treasure chests, and nautical ropes. Use rustic wood elements and dim lighting to create a tavern-like atmosphere. Encourage guests to dress as pirates and consider incorporating pirate-themed props like eye patches, bandanas, and inflatable swords.
Disco Ball Theme
make sure you have a mirrored ball at your disco party
Get groovy with a “Disco Ball Theme” dance, celebrating the dazzling era of disco. The centerpiece of this theme is undoubtedly a large disco ball, or multiple disco balls, to reflect light across the dance floor. Use shimmering fabrics, bright colors, and geometric patterns reminiscent of the 1970s. Encourage guests to embrace 70s fashion with bell bottoms and platform shoes.
Toga Theme
Transport your guests to ancient times with a “Toga Theme” dance. This theme is both fun and easy for guests to participate in, as togas are simple to create. Decorate with faux Greek columns, grapevines, and laurel wreaths. Use white and gold as primary colors to evoke the classical era. Consider serving themed food and drinks, like grapes and wine (or grape juice).
Train Station
Embark on a journey of romance and nostalgia with a “Train Station” dance theme. Create the ambiance of a vintage train station with elements like old suitcases, train signs, and benches. Use sepia tones and warm lighting to enhance the nostalgic feel. Consider a photo booth with a train backdrop and props like conductor hats and vintage luggage.
City Nights
Capture the energy and excitement of urban life with a “City Nights” dance theme. Choose a famous city skyline, like New York or Paris, as your backdrop. Use silhouettes of buildings and city lights to create a dramatic atmosphere. Incorporate elements associated with the chosen city, such as miniature landmarks or street signs.
City Lights
Evoke a magical and romantic atmosphere with a “City Lights” dance theme focusing on classic streetlights. Use vintage-style lampposts to line the dance floor or venue entrance. Soft, warm lighting is key to this theme. You can also incorporate twinkling fairy lights and decorations that mimic the glow of city lights at night.
Hip Hop
Infuse your dance with urban cool with a “Hip Hop” theme. Draw inspiration from the vibrant 90s hip-hop era or contemporary styles. Use graffiti-style backdrops, boombox props, and urban street art elements. Encourage guests to dress in hip-hop fashion and play classic and contemporary hip-hop tracks to keep the energy high.
Cruise Ship
Set sail for a night of fun with a “Cruise Ship” dance theme. Create a nautical atmosphere with blue and white color schemes, ship wheels, anchors, and life preserver decorations. Consider incorporating elements like deck chairs, faux portholes, and even a “captain’s wheel” photo opportunity. Tropical drinks and beachy snacks can enhance the cruise ship vibe.
Mythical Creatures
Step into a realm of fantasy with a “Mythical Creatures” dance theme. Embrace the enchanting world of unicorns, dragons, fairies, and other mythical beings. Decorate with shimmering fabrics, ethereal lighting, and fantastical creature cutouts. Consider a color palette of pastel shades and iridescent accents to enhance the magical feel.
Egyptian
Transport your guests to the land of pharaohs with an “Egyptian” dance theme. Decorate with hieroglyphics, pyramids, and golden accents. Use rich colors like gold, deep blue, and sandy beige. Incorporate elements like palm trees, sphinx statues, and Egyptian-inspired patterns. Consider playing music with an Egyptian or Middle Eastern flair.
Masquerade Ball
Add an air of mystery and elegance with a “Masquerade Ball” dance theme. Masks are essential for this theme, encouraging guests to embrace anonymity and intrigue. Decorate with rich fabrics like velvet and lace, ornate chandeliers, and candelabras. Use dark, dramatic colors like black, deep red, and gold to create a sophisticated and mysterious atmosphere.
Marti-Gras
Let the good times roll with a vibrant “Mardi Gras” dance theme. Embrace the festive spirit of New Orleans with purple, green, and gold decorations. Use beads, masks, feathers, and fleur-de-lis symbols to create a celebratory atmosphere. Play lively jazz or zydeco music and consider serving Cajun-inspired snacks.
Spooky Halloween
Get spooky and kooky with a “Halloween” dance theme. Decorate with cobwebs, pumpkins, skeletons, and spooky lighting. Encourage guests to come in costume and play Halloween-themed music. You can choose a graveyard theme, haunted house theme, or classic monster theme to narrow down the decorations.
Beach Theme
Bring the warmth and relaxation of the seaside to your event with a “Beach Theme” dance. Decorate with sand (if feasible), seashells, beach balls, and surfboards. Use blue and sandy beige color schemes to evoke the beach. Encourage guests to wear beach attire like Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops. Play beachy music and consider serving tropical drinks.
Luau
drink umbrellas make a good decoration idea for a luau party
Embrace the spirit of Aloha with a “Luau” dance theme. Decorate with tiki torches, leis, palm leaves, and tropical flowers. Use vibrant colors and natural materials like bamboo. Play Hawaiian music and consider incorporating a limbo competition or hula dancing. Serve tropical fruits and drinks to complete the luau experience.
Phantom of the Opera
For a dramatic and romantic theme, consider “Phantom of the Opera”. Use opulent decorations like velvet drapes, candelabras, and masks. Incorporate dark red and black color schemes, accented with gold. Play classical or operatic music and create a sophisticated and slightly mysterious atmosphere.
Cantina Theme
Capture the vibrant and festive spirit of a “Cantina” for your dance theme. Decorate with colorful banners, string lights, and Mexican-inspired decorations like sombreros and maracas. Use bright and warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows. Play Latin music and consider serving tacos or other Mexican-inspired snacks.
2. Decade Dance Themes
Take a trip through time and celebrate iconic eras with these decade-themed dance party ideas, each bringing its unique musical and stylistic flair.
Big Band (1910s-1940s)
Step back into the elegant era of “Big Band” music. Decorate with art deco designs, vintage posters, and elegant fabrics. Use black and white color schemes with metallic accents. Play classic big band and swing music and encourage guests to dress in 1920s-1940s fashion.
Roaring 20’s
Channel the glitz and glamour of the “Roaring 20s”. Feather boas, flapper dresses, and jazz music are hallmarks of this era. Decorate with art deco patterns, pearls, and gold accents. Create a speakeasy vibe with dimmed lighting and perhaps a mocktail bar.
50’s – Rock Around the Clock
Rock and roll all night with a “50s” themed dance. Sock hop vibes, poodle skirts, and leather jackets are essential. Decorate with diner-style elements, records, and classic car imagery. Play rock and roll and doo-wop music and encourage guests to dress in 50s attire.
80’s Bash
Get totally tubular with an “80s Bash”. Neon colors, big hair, and iconic 80s music set the stage. Decorate with geometric shapes, neon lights, and 80s movie posters. Encourage guests to embrace 80s fashion with leg warmers, shoulder pads, and bright colors.
90’s Party
Party like it’s 1999 with a “90s Party” theme. Grunge, hip hop, and pop music define this decade. Decorate with graffiti-style art, inflatable furniture, and 90s pop culture references. Encourage guests to dress in 90s fashion, from grunge flannels to hip-hop streetwear.
60’s Far Out
Groove into the psychedelic “60s”. Tie-dye, peace signs, and flower power are key elements. Decorate with bright, swirling colors, peace symbols, and bohemian-inspired elements. Play 60s rock and roll and psychedelic music and encourage guests to embrace hippie fashion.
70’s Disco and Warhol
Boogie down with a “70s Disco” theme, or embrace the pop art of Warhol. Disco balls, platform shoes, and vibrant colors are essential for disco. For a Warhol theme, incorporate pop art prints and bold, contrasting colors. Play disco and funk music and encourage guests to embrace 70s fashion.
Renaissance
Transport your guests to the elegance of the “Renaissance” era. Rich fabrics, candelabras, and classical music create a regal atmosphere. Decorate with tapestries, crests, and Renaissance-inspired artwork. Encourage guests to dress in Renaissance costumes and consider incorporating courtly dances.
3. Color Scheme Dance Themes
Select a color palette to define your dance’s atmosphere. Color themes offer simplicity and elegance, allowing for creative interpretations based on hue.
Red, White & Blue: A classic and patriotic color scheme, perfect for national holidays or any event celebrating unity and tradition. Decorate with varying shades of red, white, and blue, from deep navy to bright crimson, to create depth and visual interest.
“White Party” Theme: A chic and sophisticated theme where guests dress exclusively in white. This creates a visually stunning and unified aesthetic. You can add subtle accents of another color, like silver or gold, for extra elegance, or as the original article suggests, a dash of pink for a breast cancer benefit.
Black & Red: A dramatic and elegant combination, ideal for formal events or themes requiring a touch of sophistication and passion. This color scheme is inherently striking and creates a powerful visual impact.
Single Color Event: Choose one color to dominate your entire event, from decorations to lighting. This monochromatic approach can be incredibly stylish and unique, creating a memorable and immersive experience. Consider colors like emerald green, sapphire blue, or vibrant magenta.
4. Movie-Inspired Dance Themes
Draw inspiration from iconic movie dance scenes to create a magical and cinematic experience for your guests.
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“Yule Ball” from Harry Potter: Recreate the enchanting winter wonderland of the Yule Ball. Ice sculptures, snowflakes, and elegant winter decorations are key. Play classical and magical-sounding music and encourage formal attire.
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Grease Prom: Embrace the retro charm of the Grease prom. 50s diner decorations, pastel colors, and jukeboxes set the scene. Play 50s rock and roll and encourage poodle skirts and leather jackets.
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Napoleon Dynamite- “Forever Young” Prom: Capture the quirky and heartwarming spirit of the Napoleon Dynamite prom. DIY decorations, balloons, and a focus on fun and nostalgia are essential. Play 80s power ballads and encourage guests to embrace awkward prom attire.
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Disney Movie Theme: Choose a beloved Disney movie with a memorable ball or dance scene, like Beauty and the Beast or Cinderella. Recreate iconic elements from the chosen film, from castle decorations to enchanted forests. Play Disney soundtracks and encourage guests to dress as their favorite Disney characters.
5. Holiday-Inspired Dance Themes
Celebrate the spirit of the season with holiday-themed dances, perfect for adding festive cheer to your event calendar throughout the year.
- Christmas/Yule/Winter Solstice: Embrace winter magic with snowflakes, Christmas trees, and festive lights.
- New Year’s Eve: Sparkle and shine with glitter, gold, and countdown clocks.
- Valentine’s Day: Celebrate love with hearts, roses, and romantic decorations.
- Mardi Gras: Bring the party with purple, green, and gold, beads, and masks.
- St. Patrick’s Day: Go green with shamrocks, leprechauns, and Irish music.
- April Fool’s: Embrace silliness and fun with playful and whimsical decorations.
- Spring Equinox: Celebrate new beginnings with flowers, pastel colors, and nature-inspired decor.
- Mother’s Day: Honor mothers with elegant and heartwarming decorations.
- Father’s Day: Celebrate fathers with a fun and relaxed theme.
- Fourth of July: Go patriotic with red, white, and blue, flags, and fireworks imagery.
- Back to School: Celebrate the start of the school year with school supplies and academic-themed decorations.
- End of Summer: Bid farewell to summer with beachy or tropical decorations.
- Fall/Harvest/Autumn: Embrace fall colors, pumpkins, and harvest imagery.
- Halloween: Go spooky or fun with pumpkins, ghosts, and Halloween decorations.
- Thanksgiving: Celebrate gratitude with fall colors, cornucopias, and harvest themes.
With this extensive list of dance themes, you’re well-equipped to choose the perfect concept for your next event. Remember to consider your audience, venue, and budget when making your final decision. Let the music play and the dancing begin!
