18 Creative January Party Themes To Kickstart Your Year (2024)

For many people, January is the start of the post-holiday blues. After all of the back-to-back celebrations of autumn and early winter, January can feel like a let-down. So why not throw some more parties anyway? There’s always a reason to celebrate with the right January party ideas! From actual calendar dates to fun reasons to get together, here are some of our favorite January party themes to get you started!

1. Celebrate World Introvert Day…together! 

World Introvert Day (Jan 2nd) is the day after New Year’s. It makes sense that you’d want some alone time after a mindblowing New Year’s party. But why not have an ironic get-together immediately following New Year’s Eve to celebrate introversion? You can make it a low-key event with board games and a few drinks! 

2. Host a buffet party

Did you know that Buffet Day (Jan 2nd) is an actual thing? Who doesn’t love a good buffet?! You can make your own custom plates and have as much food as you like! Host a buffet party in January where guests can sample everything and stack their plates high. A buffet can be catered by any event planning service near you.

Simply choose a venue that’s large enough for your guest list and the trays of food for the buffet. Peerspace has hundreds of dining and party halls that would be perfect for a Buffet Day party! A prime example is this luxury event hall in Houston, TX, with a prep kitchen, multiple dinner tables, and free parking for your guests!

3. Throw a masquerade party

Masquerade parties are a chance to get creative and wear a simple costume that won’t break the bank! You can buy or make your own Venetian-inspired mask with sequins, glitter, and metallic paints. Classy and elegant, a masquerade party is a fun way to usher in the New Year!

4. Plan a puppy party

You’ve had months of celebrating but I bet your dog wasn’t invited to a single gathering…How about making up for that neglect with a New Year’s puppy party? A puppy party doesn’t have to be just young dogs; pups of all ages should be welcome! A home with a big backyard, a dog bar, or a local dog park with enough space for (people) snack tables are all great places to host one! 

Scout out the most stylish and spacious backyards near you using our guide on how and where to rent a backyard for a day.

5. Dress for an afternoon tea party

Tea parties are wonderful events that can be held any time of the year. Guests usually dress in their finest outfits but dress casual is still an option. Alternatively, you can go extra with classic Victorian dresses, sun parasols, pearls, and other finery if you really want a unique tea party experience. Look for tea parlors near you with elegant decor, a wide variety of teas, and traditional tea snacks for your guests!

6. Throw a spring party

January means that spring is not too far away; why not usher in the slow return of warmth with a spring party? If the climate allows for it, you can celebrate with an outdoor party in your backyard! A spring brunch party, with cut flowers in vases and crafting tables is another option. You can even include more whimsical themes like unicorns and fairies as symbols of spring.

7. Have a cheese party

Cheese Lover’s Day is January 20th…What better reason do you need for a wine and cheese party? A cheese board with gouda, gruyere, brie, and other cheese selections is just the start, however. Add some choice wines, a charcuterie board, and a fondue station for maximum flavor! You don’t have to be a cheese aficionado to enjoy good cheese; you can use the party as an opportunity for everyone to learn about new kinds of cheese!

8. Host a chili cook-off 

January is the perfect time to have people share their best chili recipes! Each guest brings a bowl of their best chili. You can even have judges ready to taste test each bowl to give awards to the best batch. You actually have two days this month that are perfect for this January party theme: International Hot & Spicy Food Day (Jan 16th) and Hot Sauce Day (Jan 22nd). Or, like a true spice lover, you can host an event for both days! 

9. Throw a movie party

Since Popcorn Day is January 19th, why not bring your besties together for a movie party? All you need for this January party theme is a great film, loads of popcorn, and a venue for celebrating! Did you know that Peerspace has private screening rooms where you can bring any snacks, drinks, and films that you want? An intimate black box theater in Los Angeles, CA, is the perfect place to celebrate Popcorn Day with a movie and your friends!

10. Get the kids together for a playdate party

Did you know that Playdate Day is January 21st? If you and your friends have kids, January is the best time to bring them together for a playdate party! Plan for it like you would for a birthday or other special event, minus the grand cake. You can have a playdate pool party, a kids’ photoshoot, outdoor games, or other activities for this January party theme! 

11. Throw a hot chocolate party

January is one of the coldest months of the year so warm things up with a selection of hot winter drinks. A hot chocolate bar is the perfect antidote to the chill. Add peppermint sticks, whipped cream, sprinkles, spices, and mint for the perfect hot chocolate station! You can also have hot apple cider, donuts, eggnog, and other holiday drinks that guests will love.

12. Speed the seasons along with a summer party

Many people living in colder climates can’t wait for summer to arrive. So why not host a summer party a few months early? You’ll start feeling warmer in a flash with loose summer clothes, sunglasses, beach towels, and other additions. Guests can enjoy summer-themed cocktails and other drinks…Best served indoors since it’s likely still cold outside!

13. Punch up the colors with a neon party

Color parties are all the rage these days. Many people choose to focus on a single color but you can choose color themes instead! How about a neon color party as your January event? Neon didn’t die out in the 1980s; you can still find fashion choices that embrace it today. Add some neon glow sticks, neon sunglasses, and neon decorations that will look great under some blacklights! 

14. Get everyone together for a pizza party

Dinner parties don’t have to be complicated affairs. Don’t make a bunch of plans to cook a large meal, order out instead. No matter how old you get, everyone always loves a good pizza party! From the classic cheese and pepperoni to something fancier like traditional Italian grilled pizzas, a pizza party is a delicious way to usher in the New Year.

Check out these scrumptious pizza party ideas for adults to bring the perfect pizza party to life for you and your guests.

15. Learn a new recipe during a cooking class party

Cooking classes are a wonderful opportunity to improve your skills in the kitchen! You can try a new technique like making your own pizza crust, get better at the basics of seasoning, or choose a focused theme like Sicilian pasta or Chinese dumpling making. Make it a party by bringing friends and family along to the class. And once everyone has finished their dish, they can enjoy it together with a group dinner!

16. Host an art party any day in January

The entire month of January is known as Creativity Month. So you can throw an art party for kids or adults any day you want! An art party is one of the most customizable January party themes you can choose. It could be an art and wine event, a DIY craft party where you make charm bracelets, a pottery painting course…Or you could have multiple art stations for party guests to try!

17. Get crunchy with a nacho party

We don’t need an official reason to enjoy chips and dip but as it turns out, January actually has a day for them! January 29th is Cornchip Day so celebrate with a nacho party! You can have everyone bring their own favorite combination of chips and dip; that might mean jalapeno queso, cheese with tomato pieces, white cheddar, or some other amazing flavor. Whether you prefer blue corn chips or traditional yellow corn, there will be a nacho and cheese combo for all partygoers!

18. Plan a retro Y2K party

January is the month of change and the start of a new year, just as Y2K was the start of a new millennium! Step back two decades and host a Y2K party, complete with music and movies from that bygone era. Party guests should also dress the part to make it a true Y2K celebration. So check out our list of 2000s party outfit ideas to fully embrace the spirit of the turn of the millennium!

Creative January party themes: conclusion

The start of the new year is a great time to think up new party themes! From lesser-known holidays to playdates for your kids, there is always a reason to celebrate this month. Hopefully, our January party themes gave you some ideas to work with! As lovers of party planning, Peerspace offers event ideas and party venues near you for special occasions of all kinds.

Find unique January party venues on Peerspace