14 Unique Italian Themed Party Ideas

Viva Italia! Looking to celebrate the culture and cuisine that has been so influential in our daily lives? We have for you unique Italian-themed party ideas that will be worthy of any Tuscan villa.

While you’re checking them out, take a look at some of the relevant Peerspace venues we’ve provided for inspiration on where to throw your “festa”. After all, Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and makes it easy to book an event venue that has all the style and amenities you want for your Italian-themed party. So now, let’s hop on our Vespas and get to the list!

1. Delight your guests with a build-your-own bruschetta bar

Bruschetta, the classic Italian tomato-based bread topping, is a favorite of anyone who has visited an Italian restaurant. For the perfect appetizer at your Italian party, put together a build-your-own bruschetta bar! This recipe from Olivia’s Cuisine shows you how to make classic tomato bruschetta, along with some other options like eggplant or zucchini.

Need an amazing venue ideal for your bruschetta bar appetizer? Check out this vintage Italian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, NY, and book away!

2. Throw on an Italian music playlist to set the mood

Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Andrea Bocelli, the list goes on. Italian singers and songwriters have made a huge impact on music all over the world. Set the mood for your party with The Perfect Italian Dinner, a playlist from Spotify. After dinner, work off some of those carbs with a groovy Italo Dance playlist!

3. Serve an authentic tiramisu for dessert

Any proper Italian restaurant will have a tiramisu on the menu. The classic layered cake can be made at home with this recipe from Celebrations at Home. They show you how to make it in personalized glass cups, so everyone can get their own special serving.

Our chic Parisian theme party ideas will have you saying “oui!” to throwing more themed parties!

4. Snap some pics with Italian-themed props

A mark of a good party is coming home with some awesome pictures to share with friends and family! With Peerspace, the internet’s largest digital marketplace for hourly event venue rentals, you have access to some uniquely amazing private party venue rentals.

This trendy two-room event space in Newark, NJ has its own 360 photo booth and other Italian party must-haves that you can use. All you have to do is bring along some Italy-themed photo booth props like the ones we found on Etsy! This location would be perfect for making your Italian-themed party ideas come true.

5. Offer your adult guests Italian cocktails

Besides food, Italy is also known for some of its delicious native alcoholic drinks. Limoncello and Prosecco are a couple of fan favorites that you can buy at the store. Put a little twist on them with these 23 easy prosecco cocktails from Insanely Good Recipes. Or, if your guests are more lovers of vino, open a bottle of your favorite Italian wine to share.

6. Whet your guests’ appetites with an aperitivo

Also known as an apéritif, Italy has its own version of the American happy hour where you enjoy a drink and a snack before a meal. Walks of Italy provides you with step-by-step instructions for picking the right snack and drink for the occasion.

Want to throw an entire aperitivo party? Peerspace has the right bar venue rental for you. This elegant bar and restaurant space in Chicago, IL would be the perfect spot to host this kind of event. It’s spacious, provides lots of seating, and the host offers full-service food and beverage catering. Let them know about your Italian party theme and see how they can help!

7. Put together a make-your-own pasta bar

There are so many ways to enjoy pasta, so why give your guests only one option? Keep all your eaters happy with this DIY pasta bar from All She Cooks. By separating the ingredients, you give your guests a chance to make it to their exact liking while giving you a break from some of the cooking!

The perfect place to host your make-your-own-pasta bar party? This charming loft with a chef’s kitchen in, you guessed it, Little Italy, New York City! It has the look and the equipment to make this one of the most Italian-themed party ideas ever!

8. Set the table with classic red and white checkerboard patterns

A favorite of pizza places all over the world, the red and white checkerboard tablecloth is strongly associated with Italy. Check out this variety pack from Amazon that has all of your utensils and plates covered – all they’re missing is a heaping pile of spaghetti!

9. Turn your backyard into a bocce court

Bocce ball is a classic Italian lawn game that has been played for generations. The rules are quite simple and can be picked up easily, so just about anybody can play. All you need is a set of bocce balls like this one from Walmart and a wide open space to play.

You can also book an actual bocce court through Peerspace if you prefer. For example, our friends in Tennessee can rent this country chic bocce court in Nolensville! It provides you with a 55′ bocce court a fire pit, and a two-level retaining wall! Next thing you know you’ve got some healthy competition for your partygoers. This is one of those amazing Italian-themed party ideas that will get the competitive juices flowing and make for an interesting party!

Check out our festive Mardi Gras party ideas to celebrate Cajun and Creole cultures!

10. Bring the party outdoors for a classic Italian garden party

Known as an “al fresco” dinner, the often replicated style includes eating communally under the stars – typically with plenty of wine! The right venue can make or break this kind of party, that’s why you should turn to Peerspace for help.

The platform will offer you access to the perfect spots to take your al fresco to the next level. Take a look at this Tuscan villa estate just 10 minutes from Austin, TX – the authentic architecture will make you feel like you’re dining in the garden of a real Tuscan villa.

11. Celebrate Italy in the fall with a rustic table setting

If you’re looking for Italian-themed party ideas that are good for when the leaves are beginning to turn, look no further than a rustic Italian table setting. This Vivacious Life shows you the types of timber place settings they used to set the scene, as well as a few ideas for what kind of drinks and food to serve. Foraging for materials close to home can turn into cute little table decorations with just a little string. There are a lot of fun design choices to be made when you go rustic for your Italian-themed party.

12. Set up a bar and make your own limoncello

Limoncello is an Italian liqueur made with a few simple, but effective ingredients. Typically served before or after a meal, the drink is said to help with digestion. The Ponds Farmhouse has an easy-to-use recipe for how to make your own version of the satisfying alcoholic beverage as well as a few tips for how to store and serve. It can also be used in a variety of desserts – see what you can do with an entire theme of lemons for your Italian-themed party!

13. Be your own pizzaiolos during an Italian pizza party

Is it really an Italian-themed party without the pizza? We think not! Pizza is an Italian food beloved the world over and is famous for bringing people together. Pizzaiolos, the Italian name for people who make pizza, can even be a theme for your party. Turn pizza-making into a party activity by supplying your guests with the essentials, like dough, sauce, and a variety of cheese and toppings, and make some tasty pies together. Check out this guide to learn all about the different types of pizza popular in the different regions of Italy for inspiration!

To make the best-tasting pizzas ever, be sure to book a Peerspace venue with a pizza oven. For example, you can book this charming backyard in Pasadena, CA and take advantage of all it offers, including an outdoor pizza oven and plenty of cozy seating for your guests.

14. Screen your favorite Italian movies and series

Italy is famous for its movie scene, proudly having a place in classic art house cinema and contemporary movie history alike. Use your party as an excuse to screen some of your favorite Italian films, like La Dolce Vita and Marriage Italian Style, as well as some modern Italian TV series, like My Brilliant Friend and Deceitful Love.

Ideas like this are even better when you book a private movie theater through Peerspace! This rustic theater room in Austin, TX is just one example perfetto.

Italian-themed party ideas: conclusion

We hope these Italian-themed party ideas have you ready to throw a truly inspired gathering worthy of Italia. Start by booking an on-theme Peerspace event venue rental and you’ll have a stylish, well-equipped space at your disposal. Talk to your venue’s host if you have any questions or requests, and they’ll be thrilled to help you pronto!

Find unique party venues on Peerspace