23 Fun Ideas for Hosting the Best Pizza Party in 2024

Everyone’s favorite event, the pizza party, has the potential of being so much more than a simple backyard hang featuring boxes of Domino’s pizza.

Those of us who have National Pizza Party Day circled on the calendars in our kitchen know this all too well. But for those of us who are just now seeing the potential of pizza parties, this list of 23 pizza party ideas will help you throw the next best pizza party bash. 

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• Best Pizza Party Menu Ideas
• Top Tips for Hosting a Pizza Party
• Fun Pizza Party Games & Activities

Best Pizza Party Menu Ideas

1. Master Pizza Making With Top Chefs

Join skilled chefs and learn how to make authentic pizza from scratch. You’ll be tossing dough with the best of ‘em at your pizza party with guidance from pro pizza makers.

Learn to cook all kinds of pizzas from brick oven to thin crust with the help of locally, nationally, and globally recognized chefs.

Learn how to make the best pizza in Manhattan and sign up for pizza making classes in NYC. Or check out cooking classes near you like pizza making classes in Chicago, pizza making classes in Atlanta, or online pizza making classes.

2. More Meats 

Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, prosciutto, ham, chicken — the list of tasty meat toppers for pizza goes on and on. So, if you’re looking to please a meat-eating crowd, don’t forget to add protein options to the menu.

Try making a white pizza with prosciutto, mushrooms, and a drizzle of balsamic or a tasty buffalo chicken.  

3. Cucumber Cups

Remember that chickpea summer salad? Try replacing the salad bowl with a cucumber cup. Simply slice a cucumber in half, scoop out the center and add in that garbanzo goodness.

Note: The thicker the cucumber, the better! 

4. Mac & Cheese

You can never have too much cheese, so don’t shy away from serving a crowd-pleasing side like mac and cheese. Mac and cheese is the perfect entertainment dish because it’s easy to make in large batches. 

5. Veg Out on Veggies 

If you thought the list of meats was long, the list of tasty veggie toppers is even longer. Serve up a salty slice of artichoke pizza, a tangy slice of bell pepper and onion pizza, or a spicy slice of jalapeño and bacon pizza.

6. Chickpea Summer Salad 

Good even in the winter, summer salad is a go-to side dish to add to your party. Simple, crisp and oh-so flavorful, a chickpea summer salad is made using a few key ingredients.

Just add garbanzo beans to any combination of raw vegetables and toss in a red wine vinegar-based dressing. Add a bit of feta and a half cup of chopped parsley. This versatile salad is almost as customizable as a build-your-own pizza party. 

7. Crostini Crunch

Add an edge of elegance to your party with strawberry and goat cheese crostini. This pizza party menu item is also easy to make in big batches.

It only takes four ingredients to create a lavish bite. Spread a thick layer of goat cheese on top of a crostini before adding diced strawberries and a balsamic drizzle.

Top Tips for Hosting a Pizza Party

8. Build-Your-Own or Grab-and-Go?

The very first decision you have to make when throwing a pizza party is deciding whether you want to serve prepared pizzas or invite guests to make their own. If you’re hosting a large gathering, going with the prepared route might make the rest of the night a bit easier.

However, if you’re hosting a smaller get-together or a team building activity, asking your guests to build their own pizza offers a fun, hands-on experience they’re sure to remember. 

9. Lost in the Sauce 

What is included in a pizza party? Well, let’s start with the basics. Whether you’re going the pre-prepared or on-site route, the sauce is a crucial and often overlooked ingredient to any pizza.

While the default is a red sauce, there are so many other sauces out there like spicy red sauce, BBQ sauce, Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce and even chocolate sauce.

While it’s always a good idea to keep the regular ole red sauce on the menu, consider providing your party guests with a few more flavorful options to liven up the party and their taste buds.

10. Toppings are a Must

Toppings can change the entire alchemy of a pizza. A pizza without toppings is nothing more than bread slathered in marinara sauce, and this isn’t a breadsticks party.

By offering guests a wide variety of toppings you are enabling not only customization but creativity.

11. Invitations With Pizzaz

It’s easy to hop into a group message and send a text that says, “Pizza at my place," but where’s the fun in that? When inviting your friends and family to the party, consider putting a bit of thought into the invite.

Sending a pizza-themed e-vite is almost just as simple as sending a text, with a little more pizzaz. This way, instead of forcing your guests to scroll through their texts to find the information they need like time, place, etc. all of that information will be in one easily accessible place.

12. Make It Themed

While you don’t need a theme to pull off a fun party, if you have the time and the willpower, a theme will ramp up the excitement. Plus, if you’re looking for birthday party ideas for teens or adults, a themed party will make it an extra special occasion. 

With so many fun theme party ideas out there, the possibilities for pizza party ideas are endless. Lean into the pizza theme with pizza balloons pizza shaped plates, and pizza slice garland.

Or time travel your guests to another era with a retro theme like an 80s theme party or futuristic galaxy-themed party.  

13. Kitchen Prep 

If you’re preparing for a special occasion like National Pizza Party Day, a pizza birthday party extravaganza, or a simple girl’s night out, having the kitchen prepped ahead of time will make the pizza party much more enjoyable for you and your guests.

A little planning ahead will go a long way. Assign designated spots for plates and silverware, toppings, snacks, drinks, etc. Lay out all ingredients ahead of time before your guests arrive. Break out a bucket for all reusable silverware instead of having it pile up in the sink.

14. Not a One Star Show

It’s easy to focus on the pizza and forget that there’s more food involved in a party if you want to make it unforgettable. Pizza is good, but so should be your pizza party sides. Appetizers and snacks are two equally fundamental must-have pizza party treats. 

15. Pizza Party Favors

Party favors don’t have to be expensive or intricate. Pizza party favors simply let your guests know how much you appreciate their company.

Maybe give everyone a jar of sauce or seasoning to take home or thank you sweet to enjoy later. No matter what you choose, providing a send-off gift will ensure they come again.

16. Ask About Allergies

Due to the customizable nature of a pizza making party and the general involvement of food, it’s important to ask your guests if they’re allergic to any foods or ingredients.

With so many toppings and sauces to choose from, you’ll want to make sure they’re all safe for your loved ones to eat! 

Fun Pizza Party Games & Activities

17. Murder Mystery Pizza Party

There are just as many murder mystery games as there are pizza combinations so why not eat and play at the same time? Murder mystery games make great pizza party games for groups between two and 20.

Host an intimate affair and share a pie for two over your favorite murder mystery board game or host a themed party full of mystery and marinara.

18. Pizza Paint and Sip

Take a break from eating pizza and learn how to paint! A party is the perfect event for sip and paint ideas. Paint and sip pizza parties are a great way to connect with friends while eating good food in great company.

There are paint and sip classes in cities all over the country from paint and sip in San Diego to paint and sip in Seattle and paint and sip in Washington, D.C. to paint and sip in Boston. Chances are, there’s a paint and sip near you. 

19. Just Dance-a-Thon

Host a Just Dance marathon and serve up some pizza. Invite your best pals, make your favorite pizza — or order in — and learn some new moves while playing Just Dance or another fun game you all enjoy. Laugh, move and eat your way through the evening. 

20. Cheesy Crafters

This pizza party game is for the craft enthusiasts and pizza enthusiasts alike! Hand each contestant a pizza box to decorate within a given time.

Once complete, ask each contest to share their creation with the group. After everyone has presented you can give out special prizes like most creative, most colorful, most on theme, etc. 

21. How Fast Can You Fold?

See who can fold a pizza box the fastest in a pizza party box folding contest. Each player must fold as many boxes as they can before the buzzer sounds.

To make it even harder, consider adding a blindfold. 

22. Guess the Toppings 

Considering you’re throwing a pizza bash, chances are you’ll have toppings at the ready. Pour various toppings into separate bowls and blindfold each player.

Ask them to try and guess what topping is in the bowl as they feel around blindfolded. 

23. Pizza Tower

See how many pizza boxes you can stack into a mighty pizza tower without it falling over. Break the party up into teams and ask each team to stack the boxes on top of each other until there’s only one team standing.  

According to an article in the Washington Post, we eat roughly 100 acres of pizza a day in the U.S. No wonder pizza deserves its own party! This beloved, popular dish will please any crowd for any occasion.

Now that you’ve read this list of pizza party menu ideas, you should no longer wonder how to host a pizza night — you’ve got all you need to know. Make it your own by getting creative. Now, go forth, and party on! 

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