How to Host an Elegant Masquerade Ball Party in 2024

Are you planning a masquerade ball party for your next big event? Whether it’s New Year’s Eve, Halloween, a birthday, an Oscar’s party, a charity event or just because, masquerade ball parties offer a fun and creative way to celebrate with family, friends and colleagues. They’re even an excellent way to bring a lively and artistic touch to a kids’ birthday party or bat mitzvah.

Think golden glitter, powdered pompadours and elaborate pannier dresses and, of course, ornate masks adorned with sequins, feathers and other decorations.

Are you having trouble getting your holiday party ideas, masquerade ball party plans, Mardi Gras party ideas and theme party ideas off the ground? It can be challenging to organize the perfect masquerade party. Luckily, you don’t have to go to Venice, Versailles or even New Orleans to pull off a masquerade ball party. Make it as formal or as casual as you like.

From invitation and decorating ideas to masks and attire, we’ve compiled a collection of masquerade ball party decorations and masquerade party ideas for adults and kids to get the ball rolling (pun intended).

Jump to Section

• History of the Masquerade Ball
• How Do You Throw a Masquerade Party?
• Masquerade Ball Attire
• Masquerade Ball Mask Ideas
• Masquerade Decoration Ideas
• Masquerade Ball Invitations

History of the Masquerade Ball 

After originating in the 15th century and playing a huge role in the Carnival season, masquerade balls became even more popular during the Renaissance and the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in Paris, London and other European countries. Masquerade ball parties were held for weddings, festivals and other celebrations.

Hollywood has dazzled the big screen with elaborate masquerade ball scenes in movies like The Phantom of the Opera, Marie Antoinette, To Catch a Thief, Van Helsing, Labyrinth and The Masque of the Red Death.

According to Encyclopedia.com, masquerade balls were held in the Middle Ages to celebrate the beginning of the spring planting season. However, it’s the Parisian balls of the 19th century that promote the most visual images and glamorous outlook. Masquerade balls encouraged the mixing of classes and brought wealthy and poor Parisians together.

How Do You Throw a Masquerade Party?

From the mysterious and magical to the goth, glamourous, fun and flirty, a masquerade ball will delight and entertain your guests.

Choose a Theme

The first step in planning your party is to develop a theme. A theme will set the pace and make it easier to choose items like decorations, invitations, food, music and games for masquerade ball party ideas for adults.

Before you ask yourself “What do you do at a masquerade party?” ask yourself, “What is the masquerade ball theme?” There are a wide variety of ideas for a theme that can set the tone for your event.

Masquerade Party Theme Ideas

• Murder mystery
• Regency-era Bridgeton party
• Downton Abbey ball
• Casino night
• Superheroes and villains
• Black and white
• Roaring ‘20s
• Angels and demons
• Red carpet Oscar's party

Choose Your Music

Music is a must. Even if you’re not going with an all-out ball gown bash theme, you’ll want to have a great playlist. For a traditional period, go with classical music like Vivaldi, Strauss, Beethoven or Mozart.

Are you looking for a more modern sound? Consider a playlist with selections such as Justin Timberlake’s "Suit & Tie," Madonna’s "Vogue," Taco’s "Puttin’ on the Ritz," "Get the Party Started" by Pink! or Pharrell Williams’ "Happy."

Masquerade Ball Attire

What do you wear to a masquerade ball party? If you’re wondering what to wear to a masquerade ball, your theme is the best place to start.

If you’re planning a Great Gatsby themed party, guests can don feathery flapper dresses, long strings of pearls, tuxedos and glittery masks. Go with gleaming gold, sleek silver or lush purple for a royal theme.

A kids’ birthday party is an excellent time to break out the pirate and princess attire. Dress them up in ripped pants, swashbuckling boots and a parrot for the shoulder.

Princesses will enjoy getting gussied up in flowy dresses and glittery tiaras. A quinceanera celebration is another occasion when guests will enjoy dressing up in all their finery.

While costumes are not necessarily required for kids or masquerade party ideas for adults, they serve as a way to make the event more fun and creative. Encourage everyone to participate!

Masquerade Ball Mask Ideas

Along with knowing what to wear to a masquerade ball, masquerade ball party outfits are made all the better with the perfect mask. Masquerade ball masks range from full-face to eye-covering and hand-held masks on sticks.

Choose traditional masks like Greek, Venetian and Mardi Gras or go with jesters, plague masks or a steampunk theme for your masquerade ball party.

Are you looking for kids’ birthday or Halloween party ideas? Have the kids make or decorate their own masks. This serves as an artistic activity they can enjoy together and take home.

Party City is the perfect place to pick up masquerade ball party masks. You’ll find masks adorned with feathers, velvet and sequins and decked out in harlequin patterns, tassels and ribbons.

Masquerade Decoration Ideas

What are the best masquerade ball party decorations? Explore decorating ideas that use lighting, photo props and more to create a stylish ambiance at the party.

Elegant decorations include luxurious velvet drapes and vases filled with beads, feathers, sequins, glitter and sparkling glass balls. Use dramatic lighting, fairy lights or candlelight for simple to elegant masquerade ball decorations.

Use photo props like royal-inspired thrones, crowns and candelabras to go along with your elegant masquerade ball decorations theme.

Masquerade Ball Invitations

Masquerade ball invitations can be found in retail stores and online. While e-vites are all the rage, paper invitations offer a personalized touch.

You can find simple, elaborate and customized pre-printed invitations on sites like Amazon, Shutterfly and Snapfish. Invitations with glittery masks and sparkly bokeh effects give a glamorous touch.

Whether you’re planning an extensive guest list or a small and intimate soirée, this masquerade ball party ideas list was designed to be a springboard to plan the perfect party by providing a variety of masquerade ball party ideas for adults, teens and kids.

Your next bash — whether it be a bachelorette party, a sweet 16, a 50th birthday or a golden anniversary — will be remembered by all as a fun, thoughtful and entertaining occasion as they don their royal masquerade ball party outfits and conjure up images of Versailles, Rio de Janeiro and Bourbon Street.

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