Let’s journey back to the glowing 1980s for a night of neon partying. From the perfect venue to righteous retro outfits, this guide will show you how to throw a bangin’ 80s party filled with excellent neon vibes. Your guests will be stoked to rock out under the neon lights and blacklights, fuel up on treats, and get into some competitive games and trivia. So bust out your legwarmers and eye shadow – it’s time for an 80s neon bash!
Select a Venue for Your Neon Nights
Finding a prime venue sets the mood for your 80s bash. Look for a space with room to dance, mingle, and go wild. Check out these fresh locations:
Your Pad – Transform your home into a neon party palace! Move furniture and roll up rugs to create a dance floor in a large room or basement. Drape streamers across doorways and line walls with mylar curtains for an instant 80s look. Use blacklights and neon signs to amp up the ambiance. Being at home makes decorating, prepping food, and cleaning up easier too. Just be ready for guests to bounce around to retro hits all night long.
Local Bar/Club – See if any bars or clubs in your area host 80s nights or are willing to for your private event. Many already have disco balls, neon signs, and dance floors ready to channel the neon 80s vibe. Work with them to create signature neon cocktails and request an 80s DJ to really set the mood. Consider reserving an area or the whole venue depending on your guest list size.
Roller Rink – Lace up your skates and get rolling at a neon lit roller disco party! Rinks may already have disco balls, neon lights, arcade games and more. Some do private parties where you can request 80s hits and hand out colorful skate rentals. Just be careful on those turns with drinks in hand.
Bowling Alley – Bowl under blacklights and neon pins at the lanes! Many alleys now have neon gear and offer cosmic bowling nights perfect for 80s parties. Rent a lane section or the whole place out. Provide 80s bowling shirts as gifts for an extra fun touch.
Arcade – Challenge guests to retro arcade games like PacMan, pinball, skeeball and air hockey. Bars with arcade games offer both nostalgic games and drinks. Or visit a classic arcade and bring your own food and music to customize the experience. Play games and hand out prizes like neon stuffed animals.
Community Center – Check local community and recreation centers, which often have large, affordable halls to reserve for events. You can deck out a blank wall space with 80s neon signs and decorations. Some may already come equipped with mirrors balls and lights too!
Outdoors – Host an 80s picnic at a local park or campgrounds. String up an outdoor tent with neon lights. Lay down some AstroTurf carpet remnants to create a makeshift dance floor. Bring a neon boombox for tunes. Play outdoor games like neon frisbee, volleyball, cornhole and more.
Wherever you choose, add some far out 80s decorations to transform it for your radical party.
Design Wildly Neon Invitations
Get your guests excited for an outrageous 80s time with some trendy invitations. Incorporate neon fonts, colors and designs along with some totally tubular lingo.
E-vites – Create online invitations through sites like Punchbowl. Access their 80s and neon themed invitation templates with ready-made backgrounds, graphics, fonts and more. Add a gif of Rubik’s Cubes, legwarmers or boomboxes to really set the mood. E-vites are fast, free and easy to customize.
Neon Flyers – Design outrageous flyers on your computer. Use wild neon graphics and fonts against a black background. Print on fluorescent paper and hand deliver or mail them out. For bonus points, design the flyer to look like an 80s concert advertisement.
Neon Sunglasses – Search party shops for cheap and colorful neon sunglasses. Attach a small invitation tag with key details to each pair and hand deliver or mail them out. Guests can rock these slick shades both pre-party and at the event.
No matter how you choose to invite, use neon colors and wild graphics to embrace the 80s aesthetic from the start.
Go All Out With Neon Decor
Transform your space into a neon paradise with these decor ideas that embrace the bold 80s style.
Neon Signs – Affordable LED neon signs are available for instant 80s vibes. Hang palm trees, flamingos, and retro brand signs as if you’re a hip 80s business. Search party stores, Amazon, and Etsy for affordable options. Place signs around the dance floor, bar, food area, and entrance to direct guests.
Blacklights – Essential for making all things neon glow even more intensely. Use blacklight bulbs in both hanging fixtures and lamps around the party. Place them near wall decor to make murals pop. Shine them on a white clothing station, so guests can doodle designs that glow.
Fiber Optics – Add pops of light movement with DIY fiber optic lamps. Hide the base and stick the colorful strand ends around frames, on walls, or across ceilings. Group multiple strands together to create an electric wall feature. Alternatively,purchase affordable premade fiber optic decorations. Outline the dance floor or bar with the illuminating strands.
Disco Balls – Let these spinning, mirrored disco balls send dazzling light shows across your neon space. Hang one giant ball from the ceiling, or attach multiple mini versions at different heights for a kaleidoscope of reflections. Use a rotating motor to keep the sparkle moving all night long.
Neon Props – Provide tons of neon accessories for photo ops and guests to take home. Search party stores and websites for wigs, headbands, hats, glasses, jewelry, gloves and more in glowing colors. Set up a neon prop station, so guests can accessories as they please.
Posters – Print out posters of iconic 80s movies like The Breakfast Club, Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, E.T. and more. Frame them or just tack them up across walls for authentic 80s decor.
Balloons – Get a neon balloon arch kit or inflate tons of neon latex and mylar balloons yourself to frame doorways, the bar, dance floor or other key areas. Inflate regular balloons and draw 80s symbols on them.
Murals – Paint neon murals directly on walls or large poster boards if you want bold designs but don’t want to commit to permanent wall paint. Use glowing paints that react under blacklights or paint normal colors that will pop under the lights.
Confetti – Spread neon foil confetti cut into fun 80s shapes across tables, floors and bars. Or fill clear balloons with confetti and hang them around, so guests can pop them and unleash the shiny paper.
Go bright, go big and go neon – the more crazy lights at your 80s party the better!
Crank Out The 80s Hits
Get guests grooving with the most excellent 80s tunes from iconic artists and bands. You know what 80s hits go down a treat but to really get that 80s neon vibe, try some synth pop from the era or even some modern day artists who capture that style, like the Chromactics and Kavinsky. Here’s some play lists to get you going.
Create playlists for different vibes too like 80s rock, 80s pop hits, or even just saxophone laden soft rock ballads. Take requests too – the more nostalgic hits, the better!
Dress Up in Classic 80s Style
Encourage your guests to embrace the outrageous 80s fashion trends with their party attire.
For Righteous Dudes
- Acid wash or light blue jeans – super tight and high waisted. Rip some holes for bonus points.
- Leather jacket or neon suit jacket – wear over a graphic tee.
- Crop top – show off that tanned and toned bod!
- Mesh tank – sheer shirts were hugely popular.
- Bandanas – around the head, wrist or neck.
- Ray bans – slick black classic wayfarers or neon shades
- High top sneakers – white or brightly colored
- Neon colored tracksuits
For Hip Ladies
- Leggings – neon, stirrup, lace, or leather leggings.
- Miniskirts – spandex pencil skirts or loose neon tutus.
- Off the shoulder tops – pair with a bright bandeau.
- Sweatbands – around the head or arm.
- Leather jacket – borrowed from the dudes.
- Fishnets – brightly colored or sheer black.
- Scrunchies – pile up that hair into a side pony.
- Neon accessories – earrings, bracelets, belts, hair clips.
Costumes & Gear
- 80s icons – dress as your favorite 80s star like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson.
- 80s workout – channel Jane Fonda in neon leggings, legwarmers and sweatband.
- 80s rocker – tease your hair, grab a guitar and rock out.
- Pop star – channel your inner Debbie Gibson or Tiffany.
- Hip hop crew – track suits, thick gold chains and sunglasses.
- Neon accessories – wigs, gloves, jewelry, glow makeup, face gems.
Provide extra items like plastic jelly bangles, fingerless gloves, hats, and sunglasses, so guests can really embrace the outrageous decade.
Fill Up On Classic Party Food and Drinks
Keep guests energized for a night of tubular partying with some most excellent nibbles, treats and refreshments:
Savory Bites and Apps
- Chili cheese nachos – tortilla chips loaded with chili, cheese, beans, salsa.
- Pizza bread – mini pizza bagels or bite-sized crustless pizzas.
- Buffalo chicken dip – served with chips and celery sticks. The spicier, the better!
- 7 layer taco dip – refried beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, olives, lettuce, sour cream.
- Veggie trays – baby carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. served with ranch dip.
- Caprese skewers – mini mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes.
- Quesadillas or taquitos – loaded with cheese, chicken, beef, or beans and crispy fried.
- Sliders – mini cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, or pulled pork on small buns.
- Jalapeno poppers – breaded and fried spicy cream cheese bites.
Beverages
- Wine coolers – fruity wine mixed with juice like Bartles & Jaymes.
- Neon cocktails – vodka, rum, gin and juice combinations in bright colors. Add melon liqueurs for extra flavor.
- Jello shots – vodka or rum suspended in fluorescent jello shapes.
- Non-alcoholic options – Fruit punch, lemonade, flavored sparkling waters, sodas.
- Michelada bar – tomato juice, sauces, spices and garnishes for guests to mix and match.
Entrees and Sides
- Taco and nacho bar – set out tortilla chips, tacos, fillings like ground beef, lettuce, tomato, beans, salsa.
- Pigs in a blanket – mini hot dogs and sausages wrapped in dough and baked.
- Chicken satay – chicken strips on skewers, grilled and served with dipping sauces.
- Cheesy potatoes – sliced potatoes baked with cheese, bacon, scallions.
- Mac and cheese bar – elbow mac, cheese sauces, toppings like chili, pulled pork, sautéed veggies.
- Neon pasta salad – rotini, cheddar, peppers, dressing, topped with neon grated cheese.
- Fruit skewers – meatballs and cheeses skewered with pineapple, strawberries, grapes.
- Green bean casserole – the classic creamy bean dish topped with fried onions.
Crazy Candy and Sweets
- Gobstoppers and jelly beans
- Pop rocks for sizzling mouths.
- Neon Nerds, Sweetarts, Laffy Taffy, Fun Dip.
- Neon looking candy like Spree, Pixy Styx, Skittles, Sweet Tarts
- Individual servings of classic snacks like Rice Krispie Treats, Nutty Bars, Cosmic Brownies.
Bangin’ Desserts
- Neon Jello shapes – make electric Jello shapes and molds.
- Neon cake or cupcakes – box mixes made bright with food coloring.
- Candy bar – set bowls out with 80s classics like Reese’s Pieces, Twix, Skittles.
- Ice cream sundae bar – selection of ice creams, sauces, sprinkles and toppings.
- Oreos or Twinkies – the crispy, sugary, cream filled treats.
- Glow in the dark gummies – edible gummies that glow under blacklights.
Games and Activities
Keep the neon good times glowing all night long with some totally gnarly entertainment:
Mix and Match Dress Up
Provide a rack filled with outrageous 80s gear – neon shirts, crazy patterned pants, ridiculous jackets, wigs, gloves, hats, etc. Have guests pick an outfit at random then walk the runway! Award prizes for the most radical look.
Dance Off
Split into teams and have a choreography dance off to themed music. Perform yesteryear moves like the cabbage patch, running man, Macarena, shopping cart and more. Gift neon sweatbands or legwarmers to the winning squad.
Neon Twister
The classic floor game on a mat with glowing neon dots. Spin the spinner and try not to topple over into fellow party people.
Lip Sync and Air Guitar Battles
Lip sync or fake jam out on air instruments to favorite retro hits. Perform solo or in teams. Award glow stick prizes.
Pub Trivia
Test guests’ 80s music, movie and pop culture knowledge with trivia cards. Offer neon prizes for high scores.
Scavenger Hunt
Hide neon items around the party and have teams search for and take creative Polaroids with the items. Award instax cameras and film packs as prizes.
Neon Mini Golf
Set up a mini blacklight golf course using fluorescent balls and decorations. Award trophy cups full of neon candy to winners.
Glow Bowling
Turn down the lights at the alley and bowl with neon balls and pins. Give trophies, candy or small neon fish for winners.
Send Guests Home With Rad Favors
After a gnarly neon night, give guests mementos to remember the crazy 80s vibes:
- Slap bracelets
- Neon sunglasses
- Pez dispensers with neon candies
- Rubik’s cubes
- Scrunchies and hair ties
- Jelly shoes
- Koosh balls
- Neon beads and jewelry
- Highlighters for writing neon messages
- Emoji keychains or patches featuring 80s symbols
- Glow sticks for continuing the bright fun wherever they go
Keep the party going by sending your friends home with neon and retro themed swag. They’ll have memories of an excellent time rocking out and partying 80s style!
Conclusion
Planning an 80s neon bash is a totally fresh way to unite friends for some outrageous party vibes. With a bit of neon decor, some classic 80s tunes, and a lot of bright colors, you can throw an awesome event that sends everyone back to the time of big hair, loud fashion, and nonstop pop hits.
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