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Looking for the best graduation party ideas that will make your special day as perfect as you always imagined it to be? Check out these tips below!
After years of early morning coffee runs and all-nighter study sessions, you’re finally graduating — Congrats! That means your grad party should reflect just how hard you worked and be as Instagram-worthy as you always dreamed it would be. We’ve got you covered on a comprehensive graduation party checklist: From delicious graduation party food ideas to fun games, Pinterest-perfect photo walls to the trendiest graduation party themes this year, it’s all in here!
The best graduation party ideas reflect your own unique tastes and interests. As you read, note any ideas that strike your fancy: Are you a girly girl who wants feminine graduation party themes like Barbie or more of a Boho picnic gal? Do you want funny graduation party decorations like hilarious banners that say “Educated AF” or more of a timeless and classic grad? Whatever you choose, your special day is surely going to be one to remember. Now, let’s check out some of our favorite graduation party ideas for this year!
This post is all about graduation party ideas.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
1. Graduation Year Charcuterie Board
Recreate these graduation party food ideas:
Fill these number containers with desserts, charcuterie board items, or whatever you want! These are available in multiple colors including pink, gold, black, and white.
2. Barbie Theme
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Recreate these graduation party themes:
Use tons of pink decorations for a Barbie graduation party theme! Use pink table clothes and paper plates to give off a girly vibe. Drive home the Barbie theme with Barbie items like balloons and cupcake toppers. You can also set up a Barbie-inspired photo zone where guests can dress up in pink feather boas and sunglasses.
3. Graduation Party Games
@haveandholdevents Pro tip😜 #gradparty #smallbusinesstiktok #primedayshowpjparty
♬ Banana (feat. Shaggy) [DJ FLe – Minisiren Remix] – Conkarah
Recreate these graduation party ideas:
Fun grad party game cards for guests to find out how well they really know the graduate!
Keep guests entertained with graduation party ideas and games printed out on paper! This one is called “Who Knows The Graduate Best?” and it’s always a hit! Have guests fill out their own paper and whoever scores the best wins a prize!
4. Decorate with Baby Photos
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Add a personal touch to your graduation party décor by showcasing adorable baby photos of yourself. Create a nostalgic and heartwarming display that celebrates your journey from infancy to graduation.
5. Try a Fiesta Theme
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Recreate these graduation party themes:
If you love vibrant graduation party themes, celebrate your bright future with a fiesta filled with delicious tacos, bold decorations, and positive vibes. Amazon has everything you need to create a trendy and memorable bash full of everything you need. Hang up these balloons, decorate with cacti and llamas, and use a warm color palette to achieve the look.
6. Graduation Cake Pops
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Recreate these graduation party food ideas:
Bake your own cake pops with this cake pop maker from Amazon that I’m obsessed with! Add on these super cute DIY graduation caps to complete the look.
7. Create a Flower Photo Wall
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Recreate these graduation party ideas:
One of the prettiest graduation party ideas features a flower photo wall where guests can take photos. Easily set up the photo wall with these flower wall pieces from Amazon that come in a variety of colors.
8. Boho Picnic Theme
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Recreate these graduation party themes:
Embrace the boho vibes for your grad party with a dreamy Boho Picnic theme! Set the scene with cozy blankets, floor cushions, and eclectic decorations. The more mismatched, the better. Throw down an effortless table runner and woven placemats for that Instagram-worthy look.
9. Graduation Mason Jars
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Recreate these graduation party decorations:
These super cute mason jars can be used for just about anything! Stuff them with candy for a cute food display or have family and friends write and insert a note for you to read after the party.
10. Decorate with Number Balloons
Recreate these graduation party decorations:
You can’t go wrong with number balloons featuring the year of your graduation. Hang up the full year on the wall as a decoration or hold up the last two numbers as a photo prop. I love these balloons from Amazon that come in a variety of colors and will match any graduation party themes. Alternative idea: Make them match your school’s colors!
10. Make Diploma Chocolates
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Recreate these graduation party food ideas:
DIY adorable graduation party food ideas like these chocolate diplomas by printing a piece of paper for the text and adding a black piece of construction paper to the back. Cut a small piece of red ribbon for the middle. Hot glue everything in place and suddenly you have a delicious and cute dessert!
11. Create a Brunch Board
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Recreate these graduation party food ideas:
Put a super cute spin on your typical graduation party ideas by holding it earlier in the day and serving brunch! Create a brunch charcuterie board with waffles, fruits, and croissants. Use a heart-shaped board for an extra cute touch.
12. Go For a Tropical Theme
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Recreate these graduation party themes:
Hang up these tropical graduation party decorations for a cute and exotic theme.
Make your graduation party themes extra cute with tropical banners.
One of the trendiest graduation party themes lately is tropical. Transform your space into a paradise with vibrant colors, exotic fruits, and palm leaves. Create the feeling of trendy tropical oasis, by incorporating a green, orange, and pink color palette into your party. Make sure to add delicious drinks like a bowl of punch.
13. Pose with an Instagram Frame
This Instagram frame photo prop is one of my favorite graduation party decorations because guests love to take photos with it. Customize all the text, likes, hashtags, and colors to match your theme.
14. Make a Pallet Picture Wall
@ohh_hi_there_ Pallet Picture Wall #graduationparty #gradpartydecor #picturedisplay #picturecollage #cricutbanner #graduationpartyideas #photocollage #photodisplays #graduation2023 #collegegrad #diybanner #diypartyideas #floraldecor #redblackwhite #schoolcolors #trending
This pallet picture wall idea is the perfect photo back drop for you and your friends to take pictures in front of. It also make a great decoration to go on top of a table as a backdrop to all of the yummy food. Finish it by painting words at the top and making digital prints of all your school memories.
15. Hang Up Funny Banners
Create a funny photo backdrop with these funny banners that have witty quotes. Alternatively, you can hang them over a table where guests get food. You can’t go wrong with these!
16. “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” Theme
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Recreate these graduation party themes:
Tap into your nostalgic side with “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. Use pastel colors and hot air balloon decorations to show everyone that you’re on to bigger and better things.
17. Frame the Entrance with Graduation Class Banners
Snag these super cute banners to go on each side of your front door as guests walk in so they know exactly where the party is! If your party is outside, hang them on your fence instead. Plus, they come in all kinds of colors to match your school.
18. Make Centerpieces with Bobo Balloons
@passions.projexx How I made these clear centerpieces for the Cutest Grad Party!🎓 Decor by me #passionsprojexx 💗💗💗 #graduationparty #graduationpartyideas #graduationpartydecor #graduation2023 #graduation #graduate #dallasdecorators
Recreate these graduation party ideas:
Elevate your grad party decor with clear Bobo balloons. These trendy balloons add a touch of whimsy and sophistication to any celebration. Fill them with confetti, balloons, or LED lights for extra flair. Create a stunning backdrop or centerpiece that will make your grad party look like it was decorated by professionals.
19. Do a “Friends” Theme
Celebrate your graduation with a nod to the iconic TV show “Friends.” Transform your party into Central Perk with quirky decorations, witty quotes, and cozy vibes. Amazon offers a range of Friends-themed party supplies to create a trendy and memorable bash.
20. Incorporate Your School’s Colors
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These graduation party ideas feature blue and yellow to match your school.
Deck out your graduation party in your school’s colors! For example, if your school is blue and yellow, pick up a matching balloon arch along with some blue and yellow plates, napkins, and table cloths.
21. Y2K Graduation Party Theme
@considerwldflwrs 2000s graduation party! How cute is this theme!!🩷🖤 IG @occasionsbyher #graduation #classof2023 #partydecor #party #balloon #balloongarland #balloongarland #balloonartist #bayarea #occasionsbyher #whitebouncehouse #genderreveal #woodsign #bridal #bride #2000s
Embrace the nostalgia of the early 2000s with Y2K graduation party ideas. Think glitter, butterflies, neon lights, and your favorite pop music. You can really go with any color scheme, but pink and black scream early 2000s.
22. Make Centerpieces with Books
@erickaflores513 Here’s another centerpiece I made for my daughter’s graduation party 👩🎓 #DrPepperTuitionContest #PartyWithVMAs #graduationcenterpiece #diy #partyideas #unt #universityofnorthtexas #meangreen #dollartree #dollartreediy #dollartreecrafts #diycenterpieces #graduation2022 #graduationpartyideas
These DIY centerpieces are super easy to make. Just get a few old books and paint them in the colors of your graduation party theme or your school’s colors. Use letter stickers to decorate the spine of the books. Add on the graduation cap and they’re done!
23. Decorate with Clear Boxes
Recreate these graduation party ideas:
Stack up these clear boxes that say “Grad” and your graduation year. Place them on a table or off to the side next to a balloon arch. You can fill them with balloons, fairy lights, or leave them as is. Pro tip: Alternate the directions they face to make a pretty diagonal effect.
24. Add Graduation Caps to Ferrero Rocher Chocolates
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This is extremely simple to do but so cute! Cut out black squares of construction paper and mini tassels. Fill a bowl with them for a centerpiece on every table or give them out as favors.
25. Craft the Cutest Fruit Juice
@crateandbarrel We’re leveling up our summer entertaining game: fresh fruit mocktails in our stacking drink dispenser.🍹 Perfect for grad parties, BBQs and backyard hangs all summer long. #Outdoor #OutdoorEntertaining #DrinkDispenser #GradParty #Summer #SummerSoiree #CrateStyle #drinkdispenserwithtap #outdoordrinks #gradpartyideas #gradpartyszn #drinkdispenserwithstand
If your graduation party is outdoors, this dispenser is a must! Guests will be filling their glasses with water and it looks super cute infused with fruit.
So, that makes 25 stunning graduation party ideas for you to try. Whether you add one of these into your party or a whole bunch, your grad party is going to be a celebratory milestone patting you on the back for all your hard work. Cheers, grads!
This post was all about graduation party ideas.
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This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
