61 Graduation Party Ideas to Celebrate Your Grad

Graduation is just around the corner — as if your graduate hasn’t reminded you already — which means it’s time to brainstorm fun graduation party ideas. Ideas for a graduation party could come in many forms, but what they all have in common is providing a meaningful way for the graduate in your life to spend time with friends with whom they may soon be parting ways.

From graduation party food ideas to graduation party decoration ideas, we’re sharing 61 unique graduation party ideas to inspire your graduation party planning. 

 Jump to Section

• Graduation Party Ideas for Foodies
• Small Graduation Party Ideas
• Outdoor Graduation Party Ideas
• Unique Graduation Party Ideas
• Graduation Party Decoration Ideas
• Graduation Party Favor Ideas
• High School Graduation Ideas

Graduation Party Ideas for Foodies

1. Take a Cooking Class 

There’s no better way for a foodie to celebrate college graduation than by taking a cooking class with a few of your best friends. Just do a quick search of cooking classes near you to find one in your town. University of Texas grads have plenty of culinary classes to choose from in Austin, and Georgia Tech grads can take their pick of those available in Atlanta. If staying home with your friends is more your thing but you're still looking for graduation party ideas, you could book a live online cooking class with a world-class chef instead. 

2. Book a Private Chef Experience 

If you're looking for some more upscale graduation treat ideas, then gift yourself and your guests a masterfully prepared meal by booking a private chef to cater your graduation party. From private chefs in DC to those in Las Vegas, there are always chefs near you who work privately and are ready to help you celebrate your accomplishments. They handle everything from the menu planning to the shopping, though of course you can share your own graduation party ideas with the chef to personalize your experience. The private chef will cook and even clean-up so you never have to lift a finger!

3. Take a Food Tour

Do you feel like you haven't experienced your college city enough while studying? Then a food tour is a wonderful idea for a grad party. Get to know some of the best spots to eat in your college town with a food tour led by an experienced guide for a unique graduation party idea. You’ll uncover the food scene in your neighborhood while learning interesting facts about the area. There is bound to be a food tour near you, whether you’re in Milwaukee or Boston.

4. Enjoy an Online Tasting Experience

If you'd rather stay in but still want the party experience, then one the best ideas for a graduation party could be gathering your best friends for a little online tasting experience. Virtual wine tastings will prepare you to impress your colleagues at all the business dinners you’ll be attending in the real world, or for a more celebratory event, you can whip up craft cocktails in online mixology classes. Enjoyed from the comfort of home, this is one of our favorite graduation party ideas for a cozy night in with friends.

5. Have a Big Dessert Table

For a sweet graduation treat idea, loading up a table with all kinds of desserts is sure to be a delight. Get a festive cake, plenty of candy and a few different kinds of cookies to round out the options of this graduation party idea. 

6. Make or Order Graduation Cap Cookies

What’s more on-theme than cookies shaped like grad caps? If you want a classic treat idea for a graduation party then this is ideal. Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe and a grad cap cookie cutter, or order the cookies from your local bakery. As another graduation party idea, you could invite your friends over to decorate each cookie cap, making them more unique. 

7. Have a Taco Bar

Your graduate is nacho average grad — celebrate their unique accomplishments with a tasty taco bar. Along with basics like tortillas and fillings, don’t forget to include plenty of delicious toppings like guacamole, cheese and salsa to complete this graduation party idea. 

8. Make Diploma-esque Wraps 

For a festive party snack and another tasty grad party idea, simply wrap your favorite fillings up in a tortilla and tie it with a chive to create adorable little diplomas. 

9. Graduation Year Cupcakes

This one is simple: Make or buy cupcakes and arrange them into the shape of the graduate’s class year. A delicious, festive and fun graduation party idea.

10. Make Witty Candy Labels

For a sweet graduation party idea, serve candy like Smarties, gummy worms and Ring Pops with clever labels like “She’s a Smartie” or “Book Worm” or “Class Rings. 

11. No-Bake Cookie Diplomas 

If you need a quick graduation idea in a pinch, tie a ribbon around Pirouette cookies to create cute no-bake cookie diplomas. 

12. Grad Cap Brownie Bites

To make grad cap brownie bites, put a square of chocolate atop an upside-down brownie bite, use melted chocolate to dab on an M&M and a sour-candy tassel, and you have an easy graduation-themed dessert ready to serve.

Small Graduation Party Ideas

13. Mimosas and Waffles

For a small graduation party idea, host friends and family for a brunch of homemade waffles and mimosas. 

14. Charcuterie Night

A smaller party means there’s more room to splurge on graduation party ideas. This is the perfect time to gather friends for a charcuterie night and enjoy tasting cheese and wine.

15. Hand Out Disposable Cameras

Let your guests be the photographers for the evening with a whimsical twist: hand out disposable cameras for guests to capture the party. This popular graduation party idea is a wonderful was to get plenty of fun shots on film of your grad’s friends celebrating graduation together. 

18. Cater Tacos

Cater tacos from a favorite local spot for simple, no-prep small graduation parties. That way, there’s more time to enjoy the celebration!

19. Have a Dinner Party

A small graduation party idea is to host a dinner. Practice your culinary skills and make each dish yourself, or you could make it a potluck and ask guests to bring a dish. Either way, your graduate will enjoy a meal around the table with people they love.

18. Host at a Favorite Campus Bar

If your graduate enjoys a drink, then a classic graduation party idea is to head to their favorite place to grab a drink and host the graduation party at his or her favorite college dive in town. 

19. Have a Game Night

Another small graduation party idea is to celebrate with an epic game night and plenty of snacks and drinks. 

Outdoor Graduation Party Ideas

20. Have a Backyard BBQ

For a fun outdoor graduation party idea, grill burgers and ice drinks for a classic backyard barbecue. Decorate with your graduate’s school colors to keep things festive.

21. Host a Pool Party

Graduation usually takes place in early summer when the weather is starting to warm up. Beat the heat with a pool party for a fun graduation party idea.

22. Play Giant Lawn Games

Keep your graduation party guests entertained with giant lawn games in the yard. From giant Jenga to giant Connect Four, this graduation party idea offers quite a few options to keep guests having fun. 

23. Day on the Lake 

Another way to beat the heat while celebrating graduation is a day at the lake. For this graduation party idea, rent a pontoon boat, pack a few sandwiches and drinks and invite a group of friends out for a day on the water.

24. Keep Drinks Cool With Wine Cubes

Keep guests’ drinks from getting watered down or keep cool in the warm summer heat at your outdoor graduation party by pre-freezing wine ice cubes. Just pour wine into an ice cube tray, freeze and serve it with the drinks.

25. S'mores Bar

Set up a s'mores bar to delight guests with this outdoor graduation party idea. Set up a fire pit, skewers and the ingredients for a fun outdoor activity. If a fire pit isn’t an option, set up an assembly station, wrap each s'more in foil and bake for a few minutes until gooey.

Unique Graduation Party Ideas

26. “Donut” You Forget About Me

Graduation is bittersweet, with one chapter of life ending as the other begins. Some of your friends may even be moving pretty far after graduation, so you may want to organize something extra special for the event. Lean into the “sweet” with a clever “donut” you forget about me donut-themed graduation party. Buy donut decorations, scatter tables with sprinkles and of course, have plenty of donuts to serve.  

27. Hire a DJ 

To make your graduation party one to remember, a fun graduation party idea is to hire a DJ to set the mood and keep the dance floor (yes, you should create a dance floor) full. Your guests will love a night of fun tunes and dancing to celebrate the graduation.

28. Hire a Live Band

Another unique graduation party idea is to hire a live band to play during the party. Set a classy mood with a smooth jazz band, or keep the party energized with a funky pop band. 

29. Rent a Karaoke Machine

If your friends tend to be outgoing, a karaoke machine may be the perfect graduation party idea. You may even be surprised by who has the best rendition of "Sweet Caroline."

30. Go to a Western Dance Night

Gather a group of friends and head to the local western dance hall for a fun and unique graduation party idea. 

31. Use Fun Pool Floaties

If you decide to have a pool party as your graduation party idea, buy fun pool floaties to mark the occasion. We’re talking about a giant flamingo floatie, a fun pineapple raft, or even a massive dinosaur pool float. Best of all, this graduation pool party idea will make your grad party photos even better as you have cool pool floatie props!

32. Party in a Box

For some people, the person they wish to celebrate is too far away to arrange a full party. If you are a parent or a friend of a graduate and still want to get them into the party spirit, then send them a graduation party box. This unique graduation party idea involves creating and customizing a box full of party supplies and then sending it to the graduates so they can party the night away. 

33. Rent a Bubble Machine

It’s almost impossible to have a bad time at a party with a bubble machine. For your outdoor graduation party idea, rent a bubble machine and enjoy the whimsy it brings to the party.

Graduation Party Decoration Ideas

34. Set Up a Photo Booth 

If you are willing to splash the cash, a fun graduation party idea is to set up a photo booth for your party guests. Capture photos of friends and family to commemorate the graduation party and add some decoration by creating a photo backdrop by hanging curtains or a sheet and decorating to match the party theme. 

35. Polaroid Photo Booth

Get the instant satisfaction of printed photos with a Polaroid photo booth. For this fun graduation party idea, set up a simple photo background by hanging a sheet or curtain, then leave out a Polaroid camera for guests to use to snap a picture with the graduate. 

36. Make Childhood Photos Centerpieces

If you have tables in need of centerpieces, go the nostalgic route and incorporate the graduate’s childhood photos into the centerpiece for this graduation party idea. 

37. Make a Balloon Garland

A balloon garland instantly adds professional flair to any party and is a perfect graduation party idea. You can DIY your own balloon garland (it’s very simple) over an entryway, photo backdrop, or wall — or hire a company to do it for you!

38. Have a Friends-Themed Photo Background 

Celebrate “the one where they graduate” with a Friends-themed photo booth for a unique graduation party theme idea. With a black curtain, that classic Friends font and an orange couch, the photo booth couldn’t be any cuter. 

39. Create a Graduation Memory Board

For this graduation party idea, paste photos of the graduate’s past four years of school onto a poster board or presentation board to create a sentimental memory board.

40. Set Out a Wisdom Jar for the Graduate

The graduate is going off into a new stage of life and would probably welcome advice from those who have gone before him or her. For a heartwarming graduation party idea, set out a jar with some slips of paper and pens and invite guests to write down their best words of advice for the graduate. 

41. Hang String Lights

Add ambiance with this graduation party idea by hanging string lights on the patio or even across the whole lawn. 

42. Hang Class Year Balloons

This graduation party idea is simple yet impactful; simply hang balloons numbered with the graduate’s class year!

43. Arrange Floral Centerpieces

Florals are always a good graduation party idea. Use flower arrangements for your table centerpieces for simple yet beautiful décor. 

44. Go for a School Colors Theme

Whether your graduate is graduating high school or college, celebrate their university years to come or that have passed by incorporating their school’s colors throughout the party decorations for a classic graduation party theme idea. 

45. Coffee Bean Centerpieces

Almost any college grad relied on a good bit of coffee to get them through late nights studying. Acknowledge the importance of a good java in your grad’s life by filling jars with coffee beans and topping it with a tealight for your centerpieces.

46. Have a Themed Party

Celebrate the graduate by designing the party around their degree. Have they graduated with a chemistry degree? Then a fun graduation party idea would be to decorate the space like a science lab and have partygoers mix their own drinks! This fun grad party idea can be customized to whatever degree the graduate has received. 

47. Decorate With Fun Balloons

Along with classic colored balloons, a special graduation party decoration idea is to decorate with unique balloons like confetti-filled balloons, balloons with streamers or balloons in fun shapes. 

Graduation Party Favor Ideas

48. Custom Plastic Cups

Design custom cups with the school logo or the graduate’s name (or both) for guests to use during the party and take home after. 

49. Specialty Popcorn 

Thank guests for “popping by” with a treat bag full of specialty popcorn for them to grab on their way out. 

50. “One Smart Cookie” Cookie

Bake or buy cookies, put them in treat bags and then tie on a custom gift tag saying “one smart cookie” to celebrate the graduate and thank guests for stopping by. 

51. Succulent Plant

Hard to kill and very adorable, set out little succulent plants for guests to pick up after the party is through. Succulent plants make wonderful, long-lasting graduation gifts that are sure to spark fond memories for years to come.

52. Custom Koozie

For a college graduation, make custom koozies with the graduate’s school logo to commemorate the celebration. 

53. Bag of Coffee

In another nod to the drink that got the grad through school, thank guests for "bean" there with small bags of coffee as a graduation party favor. 

54. Design a Shirt 

It is super easy to customize t-shirts these days and with so many ways to do it every party-goer is sure to create a unique outfit. Gather your friends for this graduation party idea, whip out the fabric pens or the iron-on transfers and get designing! 

55. Custom Graduation Tote Bag

Similar to creating your own t-shirt for the occasion, some partygoers may prefer to decorate a bag instead. Luckily this graduation party idea is just as simple as the last one! You can use many of the same materials you would already have from designing the shirts and there are many tutorials online to show you the very best way to decorate your new bag. Now every time you use the tote bag you will be reminded of all of the wonderful memories from your college and graduation. 

High School Graduation Ideas

56. Graduation Ribbons 

Parties and ribbons go hand in hand, which is why designing your own ribbon award is a fun graduation party idea. Sure you have the cap and gown, but wouldn't a little ribbon created by yourself or your friends bring the whole look together even more? 

57. Make a Paper Corsage 

Classes are over, exams are finished and now all there is to do is wait until the big graduation day arrives. But why not throw a graduation party early and use this opportunity to get ready for prom? A corsage is vital for any prom outfit or even as table decorations, so grab some colored paper, glitter and glue and make your own with your friends! There are plenty of easy-to-follow tutorials online. Then when prom rolls around you can show off your creations. Wear the corsages to graduation to keep the theme going!

58. Make School Spirit Memorabilia 

School spirit is very important in high school, so keep that theme going by designing little mementos based on your time there. From keychains with your school's logo or mascot to small badges and more, designing keepsakes based on your high school days is a great way to remember your experience. 

59. Hat Decoration Party 

This is another graduation party you'd have to have before the main event, but a fun grad party idea would be to get with your friends and decorate your hats! Spicing up the typical graduation cap to make it more unique has been getting more popular in recent years, with more schools allowing this fun activity to take place. Be sure to check-in with your school before you attack the cap with glitter pens.

60. Transform The Tassels

If your school won't allow decorating the hat as a whole, perhaps they'd be more open to merely changing up the tassel? Gather your friends and have a crafty graduation party. Paper flowers or other lightweight decorations can easily be added to the tassel of the graduation cap. There are plenty of tutorials online to help you get started, so all you need to do is get crafting. 

61. Get a Bounce House 

Just because you've graduated doesn't mean you're grown up yet! And who said bounce houses were just for kids, anyway? Adults love a bounce house and hiring one for your graduation party is sure to add an extra element of fun for all involved. Have other outdoor games around the bounce house to bring an outdoor graduation party idea to life. 

Hopefully, this post of 61 graduation party ideas sparked an idea or two for you, whether you’re keeping it simple and booking a private chef or going all out with a live band. However you decide to celebrate your loved one's graduation, you're sure to be setting them up for an exciting new chapter of life.

For even more fun graduation party ideas, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.