20 Autumnal Fall Party Themes For All Styles & Vibes

Fall is incredibly popular—45 percent of Americans report that autumn is their favorite season! (Summer was a distant second, with 24 percent of respondents calling it their fave.) And can you blame them?! From Halloween to Thanksgiving, plus cozy sweaters, colorful leaves, and crisp weather, there’s so much to love about fall. So if you’re planning a party during this irresistible season, you’ll have lots to work with. To help you get inspired, we’ve put together a list of 19 of our favorite fall party themes, so be sure to keep reading.

1. Plan it around pumpkins

We’re starting our list with a fall party theme that celebrates the season’s most iconic symbol: pumpkins! From pumpkin decor to pumpkin-flavored treats, there’s no end to the ways you can incorporate pumpkins into your celebration.

2. Celebrate sweet and juicy apples

Speaking of iconic symbols of autumn, apples are a close second to pumpkins. If you prefer apple pie to pumpkin pie, choose this one for a harvest-focused theme that’s a little more unexpected.

3. Feel like a kid again with a leaf-jumping party

This one isn’t just for kids, although they’ll definitely love the opportunity to jump in piles of fall leaves. Choose a leaf-jumping party theme for an outdoor gathering with no shortage of entertainment.

4. Say “Prost!” to Oktoberfest

You may not be able to make it to Germany for the real Oktoberfest, but you can definitely plan a mini one of your own at home.

5. Make it a cozy movie night

Plan a cozy movie night with friends and family, making sure to provide them with tons of soft pillows and blankets to ensure the vibes are perfectly comfy!

Check out some of our favorite outdoor movie night ideas to help bring the big screen experience to your fall party!

6. Make it stylish and tasty with a boho outdoor picnic

Set up a delicious spread in your backyard with fairy lights, a bonfire, and a beautiful table setting, just like this TikToker did.

7. Be whimsical with a woodland theme

Something about fall has us dreaming about spending hours in the woods, boots crunching on fallen leaves. A woodland-theme fall party embodies that craving in the best way!

8. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

A list of fall party ideas has to have at least a few Halloween party themes. One of our favorites is a Beetlejuice theme party!

9. Get playful with a Hocus Pocus theme

Who doesn’t love Hocus Pocus?! This cult classic is at the top of many people’s lists of favorite Halloween movies. It’s also an incredible theme for a Halloween party (or really any fall party).

10. Have a pumpkin floral arrangement craft night

https://www.tiktok.com/@affirmationaddict/video/7151391846655069482

Follow TikToker @affirmationaddict’s lead and host a fall-inspired craft night with all your besties.

11. Sleuth it up with an autumn murder mystery party

Challenge your friends to get to the bottom of a murder mystery for a truly spooky autumn celebration. Whether or not to require everyone to dress up in their Halloween costumes is up to you!

12. Invite your guests on a fall scavenger hunt

Need to entertain a bunch of kids? Plan a fall scavenger hunt where they search for symbols of the season and race to check them off their lists.

13. Go for an extra-sweet candy corn motif

These cute striped candies make for a great color palette and a delicious snack, so a candy corn fall party theme is ideal, too!

14. Use sunflowers to brighten up your party

It can be hard to bid summer farewell, but at least a great party can soften the blow a bit. Say goodbye to the sunny days of summer with a sunflower-themed party, not only decorating with tons of actual sunflowers but also incorporating the motif into food, decor, and even your own outfit to stay especially on theme.

Find more venue and decor inspiration by using these cozy fall birthday party ideas.

15. Share the goods with an autumnal potluck

@sywgk

a little fall soirée 🍁🍂 #fallparty #fallthemedaesthetic #fall #autumn #october #fallmood #fyp #foryou #foodtiktok #homemade #foodie #seasonalparty #seasonal

♬ we fell in love in october – girl in red

Autumn is all about celebrating the abundance of the harvest—one great way to do that is by inviting all your friends to bring their favorite fall-themed dishes to a potluck! (Plus, it means you don’t have to provide all the food yourself, which can save a ton of time and money.)

16. Get competitive with a fall cooking/baking contest

Consider raising the stakes on your autumnal potluck by turning the whole affair into a competition! Make sure to promise a great prize to the winner to ensure your guests put their best effort into whatever they end up bringing. Consider having different competition categories for desserts, main dishes, finger foods, and so forth.

17. Go low-key with a classic girls’ night in

@maddieemartindale

this is your sign to host a fall girls night 🤍 #hosting #fallideas #cutepartyideas #girlsnight #fallactivities #fall #activity #dessert #dessertbar #fallaesthetic #hostingideas #easyhostingtips #fallfun

♬ Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader

Check out this fall girls’ night in with caramel apples and a cider bar for some seriously autumnal inspo.

18. Get cozy and gather around a fall bonfire

Fall evenings are usually too cold to hang out outside for hours at a time—unless, of course, your guests are all gathered around a crackling bonfire. Provide the ingredients for s’mores and some high-quality marshmallow roasting sticks for an extra cozy gathering that your friends will be raving about for weeks.

19. Get nostalgic with a back-to-school party

Do you have kids who are headed back to school for the fall? Throw them a back-to-school party to get them excited about their academic endeavors!

20. Host a Wicked broadway bash

For a dramatic fall party theme, take inspiration from the Broadway hit Wicked. The emerald-green aesthetic, witchy vibes, and over-the-top costumes fit perfectly into the autumn season, especially leading up to Halloween. A Wicked-themed party lets you lean into theatrical fun while still embracing the cozy, spooky spirit of fall.

Wrapping up your fall party plans

With so many autumn-inspired party themes to choose from, it’s no wonder fall is such a beloved season for gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together with friends, planning a family-friendly harvest party, or celebrating a fall engagement, there’s no shortage of creative ways to make the season feel special. All that’s left to do is pick your favorite theme and start planning.

Still seeking the perfect party venue to go with your perfect fall party theme? Then check out the party venues near you on Peerspace!