90+ fantastic graduation party ideas to cap off the grad’s big day

Graduation party ideas

It’s graduation season. The hard work, the dedication, the final push on all those big projects, and now it’s time to party.

Whether you’re a relative of the grad, the person who assisted with some of those big projects or the grad themselves, party planning shouldn’t feel like homework. Our fresh graduation party ideas will get an A+ without the stress of pulling an all-nighter. Congrats to the grad!

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8th grade graduation party ideas  

Calling all BFFs! It’s time for the grad to celebrate a milestone and get ready to carry on to the next. 🎉 These 8th grade graduation party ideas are sure to make memories that last the summer and beyond. 

  • Decorate-your-own-cookie party. Here’s our go-to sugar cookie recipe if you need it!
  • Clothing swap! Everyone brings items and trades for a togetherness feel at the start of 9th grade.
  • Pizza party…because, of course!
  • Everyone comes dressed as their future profession.
  • Have a red carpet and faux paparazzi to capture the moment.
  • Create a “music festival” outside. Level it up with wrist bands and have playlist, speakers and snacks ready.
  • Crafts party or mural painting. You could use a large piece of butcher paper to create on.
  • Break out the board games. Give small graduation-themed gifts as prizes to the winners.

High school graduation party ideas  

There have been adventures, struggles, successes and mayyyyybe a few teenage meltdowns. But high school is officially a wrap! 🎬 And this is absolutely a milestone moment, so make a huge deal of the accomplishment with these high school graduation party ideas. 

  • Set up a photobooth with printable pictures that partygoers can take with them.
  • Hit an amusement park and then go out for dinner.
  • Glow/blacklight party. You could pass out white T-shirts and blacklight markers for everyone to sign their names to and take home as a keepsake!
  • Show movies in the backyard or keep this one indoors with blankets and pillows on the floor.
  • Sunglasses party, as in future’s so bright, you need shades. Bonus if you have silly ones on hand so partygoers can switch out during the bash.
  • Have a fancy brunch. Party at home or take it to a local restaurant for a smaller group. Check out our recipes for ideas to feed a crowd.
  • Hopes-and-Dreams Tree. Decorate a small tree with colorful paper ornaments where guests write their dreams for the grad.

College graduation party ideas  

It might be the end of the college years, but it’s definitely the start of much more! 🏔️💪 Usher in this next phase of the grad’s life with these adult-ish college graduation party ideas.

  • Plan the party around the grad’s field of study.
  • Karaoke! Buy or rent a karaoke machine or reserve a room at a local karaoke bar.
  • “Destination” party. Decorate and serve food inspired by a far-flung location on the grad’s must-visit list or the next city they’ll call home if they’re moving.
  • Host a dinner party to welcome guests to the next level of adulthood.
  • Let’s take this outside. Reserve a park pavilion, smoke up the grill and bring music and drinks.
  • Grad cap decorating party. Host a party before the ceremony with supplies to decorate their mortarboards. Get inspo with these fun ideas.
  • House party! Choose a few rooms with dedicated activities: gaming, music/dancing, kicking back (plenty of seats) and, of course, an area for the eats.
  • A thrift party is a fun-loving way to acknowledge those lean post-college years. Everyone comes in their thrifted “best” with accessories or home goods to trade with other partygoers.

Unique graduation party ideas  

Got a grad that’s always marched to the beat of their own drum? Plan a celebration that has as much quirky personality as they do with these unique graduation party ideas. 

  • A scavenger hunt! Get our free printable template here, then customize and make it as weird as you think they’d want!
  • 5k run/walk for a cause they love or with a group of friends, complete with commemorative T-shirts.
  • A stargazing party outside under the stars. Borrow or rent some telescopes or hold the gathering at a local observatory.
  • Go all out on a niche interest of the grad! This can be anything from horses to their latest fandom. (Pssst…find fandom gifts here!)
  • Day of service for a cause important to the grad, then unwind at the movies.

DIY or inexpensive graduation party ideas  

If you’re planning within a budget or have time constraints, these fun DIY and inexpensive ideas for graduation parties will help you throw a bash to remember for only a few bucks.

  • Light snacks and music
  • Potluck or everybody brings their favorite snack/drink
  • Garden party with twinkle lights, mini sandwiches, punch and music
  • Cookie-baking party (here are alllll our cookie recipes)
  • Make a group mural on a plain wall in their bedroom or on butcher paper
  • Create friendship bracelets
  • Stream a movie and make popcorn in different flavors
  • Grill hotdogs and serve cake and ice cream
  • Raise money for the grad’s favorite charity
  • Lunch in the park

Graduation party decorating and centerpiece ideas  

No list of graduation party ideas would be complete without suggestions for centerpieces, decorations and those other special touches that pull a celebration together.

  • Put out a yearbook or photobook that everyone can sign
  • A floral arrangement in glass bottles in school colors
  • Candy bar bouquet for everyone to pick from after the party
  • Candles in school colors: flameless are always a smart idea
  • Framed photo collage of the grad over the years (maybe get their buy-in on which photos to avoid embarrassment)
  • Use paper tablecloths so guests can write messages or doodle
  • Table runner with baby pictures of the grad and their friends throughout the school years

Graduation party food ideas  

Celebrations are about the festivities, friends/family…and food! This array of graduation party food ideas holds mouth-watering options for every grad gathering, no matter what their preferences are. 

  • Taco bar—Make it a nacho bar for extra portability and convenience.
  • Baked potato bar—Kids love carbs, plain and simple. (Not gonna lie, adults do, too.)
  • Smoothie bar—Add fruit and sprinkles in school colors for additional spirit!
  • Cookout/barbeque—This can be as easy as hot dogs or as big as gourmet burgers.
  • Sliders—Speaking of burgers, is there anything cuter than a slider? They’re easy to do by the batch if needed.
  • Chili fries—Like the beefier cousin of nachos.
  • Charcuterie spread—You could even make this a BYOC (bring your own charcuterie) event where everyone brings one meat, cheese or condiment to add to the smorgasbord.
  • Pizza—No kid ANYWHERE is going to turn down pizza. But maybe have a few dairy-free or gluten-free pies around for anyone with dietary restrictions.
  • Popcorn bar—We have so many flavorful recipes, but you could pop plain and have a bunch of mix-ins ready, too.
  • Tapas—These are small bites that give grads a chance to try something new from another culture without going all in on a plateful.
  • Food inspired by a dream destination or a favorite one already visited

 

For more graduation party ideas for food, check out this article!

Graduation party dessert ideas  

Graduation day is indeed sweet. (Sometimes bittersweet, but we’re guessing that’s just for parents.) Rep that feeling well with these top-of-the-class graduation party dessert ideas.

  • Fried Oreos or cookie dough balls
  • Sundae bar
  • Candy bar
  • S’mores bar
  • Cookie buffet
  • Donuts
  • Ice cream and cake
  • Rent a cotton candy machine

Graduation party favor ideas  

You don’t have to give out favors if you don’t want to. Honestly, that diploma is the best takeaway of all! But if you want to send guests home with a keepsake, these graduation party favor ideas will make the grade.

  • Inexpensive gift cards—Think just-enough-for-a cup-of-coffee amounts. Then see our tips for gift-card wrapping.
  • Keychains with a graduation cap and/or tassel
  • Link to a group-sourced music playlist
  • Photo collages rolled to look like diplomas
  • Candies in school colors packaged in cellophane
  • Luggage tags in their school colors
  • Inexpensive picture frames
  • Fun sunglasses
  • Fortune cookies with party-personalized messages like “Your future is bright,” “[grad’s name] will remember this forever. Thank you.”
  • Monogrammed or personalized gifts
  • Graduation ornament personalized with their photo and/or name

We hope all these ideas have you feeling like you can pull off a party they’ll love. Congrats to the grad and to everyone in their corner. Woooo-hooooo! 🎉🎓

 

Looking for more party ideas? We’ve got tons of those: