21 Best 90s Theme Party Ideas That are Da Bomb in 2024

If any celebration can bring a blast of nostalgic joy filled with equal parts vibrant color and crunchy grunge, a 90s theme party can!

With boy bands, cool R&B, action films and the Seattle scene blending in an explosion of fun and excitement, a 90s theme party is a pop culture piñata waiting to be smashed open.

No matter the occasion, you can dive into the splashy fun of the decade by throwing a 90s theme party that captures the vibe!

"What do I need for a 90s theme party?" you ask? We've put together a guide with ideas for everything you need to bring your 90s theme party ideas to life.

Whether it’s a 90s backyard party for friends and family or a surprise 90s themed 30th birthday party for your special someone, your post-80s theme party is sure to be all that and a bag of chips!

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• 90s Theme Party Menu Ideas
• 90s Theme Party Activities
• 90s Theme Party Games
• 90s Theme Party Outfit Ideas

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90s Theme Party Menu Ideas 

1. Dish With a Pro

Gear up for the good times with local cooking classes to make the menu magical. With cooking classes in Minneapolis, cooking classes in Chicago and cooking classes in Atlanta led by some of the best chefs in the U.S., you'll bring some serious heat to your 90s theme party.

Check into cooking classes near you to find 90s-themed menus, such as Friends favorites and other 90s-inspired recipes.

2. Get Cooking Online

Can't make it to an in-person cooking class? With online cooking classes, you're just a click away from discovering a digital solution to help you create fare with flair.

Work from your home kitchen while learning from top-tier gourmet cooks who love sharing their secrets to make your pre-2000 theme party a savory success.

3. Make a Perfect Party Mix

Take your 90s theme party to the heights of beverage craft with online mixology classes. You'll learn from skilled beverage artists how to recreate the drinks that defined the decade. It's a perfect addition to any adult birthday party ideas where cocktails are a must!

4. Do the Brew

Try adding a Starbucks-style coffee bar to get your party grinding. Play barista and take orders or set up a self-service station with premium brews, syrups and creamers.

You can even add a batch of coffee-themed possibilities to your list of bachelorette party ideas for friends who’ll need a pre-wedding boost!

5. Stick With Snacks

Create a modern spread that answers the question "What snacks were popular at 90s parties?" with grown-up versions of the decade's favorite treats!

Try charcuterie boards as contemporary Lunchables, homemade Hot Pockets and a spicy snack mix of Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Takis. A DIY Dunkaroos station with animal crackers and fudge frosting makes a great stand-in for a 90s theme cake.

6. Spread Your Wings

A 90s backyard party is ideal for a tablescape that includes popular options like sushi, Buffalo wings and curly fries to remind everyone they're in the era of tailgating and takeout.

For a fun 90s theme cake, frost a simple round cake in cool gray and shimmering metallic pinks and greens to replicate a CD, the decade's most popular music format.

7. A New Take on TV Dinners

TV shows crackle with inspiration for 90s theme party menus. A Friends-themed buffet can include Nestle Toulouse (Tollhouse) cookies to honor Phoebe, homemade candy a la Monica and graham crackers spread with jam like the sweet snack Joey couldn't get enough of.

Or try a Seinfeld spread with Chocolate Babka, a variety of soups, Snickers bars served with forks and knives and eclairs (preferably not out of the trash)!

8. Raise the Bar

Zima, that weird, clear 90s malt beverage, is back. Be sure your bar has some bottles on hand to capture the post-80s theme party spirit.

For mixed drinks, cosmos capture the Sex and the City sizzle, while lemon drops, appletinis and mojitos promise sugary refreshment by the glassful.

90s Theme Party Activities 

9. Get Jiggy Wit' It

What is a throwback party without old-school dances? Recreate the best moves of the 90s by booking dance classes near you that set the tone.

From hip-hop dance classes in Nashville to breakdancing in dance classes in Las Vegas to jazz dance classes in Chicago, you'll have all the steps covered, no matter where you are. There are even online dance classes that bring the rug-cutting directly to you!  

10. Celebrate in Living Color

By booking a paint and sip near you, you can bring your guests into the colorful world of the 90s. Look for splatter and paint party ideas for adults that replicate the wild hues and fun patterns that made the era hot!

You can find 90s-themed paint and sip in Boston, paint and sip in Orange County and paint and sip in Denver, as well as other locations across the U.S. Saving your masterpiece is one of the top time capsule ideas. 

11. Brush It On

Beam the artistry into your celebration with online painting classes. These courses let you and your guests explore the artful side of the 90s from the comfort of your own home. Everyone takes their work home as fun souvenirs of their night!

12. Show Your Creative Side

Turn art classes near you into a 90s theme party with a splash of creative energy. Partygoers will find art classes in the Bay Area, art classes in NYC, art classes in Houston and a host of other cities perfect for celebrating the era’s memorable pop and street art styles.

90s Theme Party Games

13. Throwback Theme Game Night

Cue up hosted online trivia games or book a virtual game night that recalls weekend sleepovers with your dopest friends.

With a virtual scavenger hunt or a virtual escape room, you have instant birthday surprise ideas that are sure to please. You can also find in-person versions of hosted games that make exciting real-life 90s theme party entertainment.

14. Crank the Karaoke

Knowing how to plan a birthday party with a 90s theme means including karaoke! Spotify provides playlists of karaoke classics that will get your crew into the groove while remembering the biggest hits of the era. Be careful with those high notes at the end of "I Will Always Love You"!

15. Question the Culture

What was the name of Fresh Prince's aunt? Which iconic video game cartridge came with every Nintendo Gameboy? A pop culture quiz will turn your 90s party into a dash down memory lane. Parade Magazine has a great list of questions to get you started.

16. Get the Tunes Covered

For music-themed 90s party games, create slideshows featuring images of iconic album covers with the titles and band names covered and challenge your guests to name both. Include additional clues with a playlist featuring snippets of the best-known tunes from each band.

17. Check Out a Blockbuster

Before Netflix, there was Blockbuster, a 90s staple beloved enough to rate its own party game! This Blockbuster game gets everyone scratching their heads as they recall the decade's most memorable films.

No 90s theme party would be complete without this boisterous cinema-centric rewind. 

90s Theme Party Outfit Ideas 

18. Go Music Industry Glam

Get into the spirit of the decade by revisiting the styles seen on the music scene. Go grunge with flannel, channel your inner Alanis, kitsch it up in Spice Girl style or stay smooth like TLC for some 90s R&B-themed Decades Day outfits.

Guys can add frosted tips and puka shells like the best boy bands, jump into a gigantic pair of JNCO jeans or stay super chill with their best baggy skater style. 

19. Dress Like a Movie Star

Throw a movie-based 90s theme party and challenge your guests to find an outfit to represent their favorite film from the era.

Instant classics like Clueless and Pretty Woman provide rich inspiration for feminine looks, while slick sci-fi like The Matrix and dark fantasy like Fight Club gives guys ensembles with unmistakable 90s flair.

20. Check the TV Guide

TV is a visual wonderland for outfit ideas that are perfect for your 90s theme party. Recreate your best Rachel, bring back The Nanny's funky, eye-popping options or resurrect Blossom's wild hats.

From flashy Zubaz popularized by the WWE scene to tucked-in tees and acid-washed jeans rocked by the dudes of 90210, the guys have fly fashions to choose from, too. 

21. Wear the Best 90s Brands

Capture the spirit of youth in your 90s themed 30th birthday party ideas by wearing the brands of the decade! From Abercrombie and Fitch to Hilfiger and back around to Calvin Klein, designer tags make instantly recognizable outfits for a 90s theme party.

Dress in layers, pop your collars and gel your hair to the max to complete the 90s look!

Anyone wondering "What are some 90's themes?" can find plenty of inspiration with movie, TV, music, sports and even tech motifs to bring their 90s theme party to life.

Include iconic music and great food or try a 90s homecoming theme to take your guests back to their high school days in the sweetest of ways.

With so much fun stuff representing the era, you can easily put together a 90s R&B themed party or play the Y2K card for New Year's Eve with a 2000 theme party that celebrates the close of a wild decade. With a little imagination, your 90s shindig will be crack-a-lackin'!

For even more fun party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!