20 Galentine’s Day Theme Ideas For A Picture-Perfect Celebration

Galentine’s Day—a holiday born from the hilarious mind of Parks and Recreation’s lovable Leslie Knope—is the perfect opportunity to gather all your besties and celebrate friendship. It’s a love letter in the form of a party, and that party can be as turned up or toned down as you want it to be.

There’s no singular “right way” to do Galentine’s Day and every friend group is different, but it’s only natural to want to organize a get-together that really captures your essence. What better way to do that than with a theme!? It serves as a north star for everything from everyone’s Galentine’s outfits to food and drink ideas to decor and activities. Plus, your photos will be a total serve.

Whether you and your friends love to paint the town red (or pink, rather), enjoy a cozy night in, break out the art supplies, or chow down on some good eats, there’s a whole world of Galentine’s Day theme ideas to match your vibe.

Here are 20 creative Galentine’s themes to help you and your gang craft the ultimate hangout.

Table of Contents

• Dress-up and glam themes
• Cozy and chill themes
• Creative and crafty themes
• Foodie and social themes
• Tips for planning your party

Dress-up & glam Galentine’s themes

If you and your friends love to do the most, Galentine’s is an excellent excuse to go full glam. And let’s be real, there’s nothing better than that jaw-dropping gasp reaction from your besties when you pull up in style. Here are some Galentine’s Day theme ideas for all the dress-to-impress divas.

Barbie’s dream house

Starting off strong because duh! With a Brabie Galentine’s theme, you can go for the classic all-pink aesthetic or you can embrace Barbie in all of her fantastic iterations. (Can we get some love for 1985 Astronaut Barbie?) Sip on some pink lemonade or cosmos and munch on Barbie-inspired bites while ideating on ways to undermine the patriarchy… or save that last part for next time.

All that glitters

The name speaks—or sparkles—for itself. Whip out your glitteriest outfit and accessories, and prepare to dazzle. Try out some new glitter makeup looks or don your favorite sequin blazer. It doesn’t matter what you wear, as long as it shimmers. Add some edible glitter to your drinks and hang a tinsel backdrop. You already know those group photos are going to be stunning.

Goth-entine’s day

If your vibe is more chokers and skulls over candy hearts, turn the traditional pinkness of Galentine’s day on its head with an all-black party. No matter if you take the more whimsigoth route or double down on the iconic gothic aesthetic, consider hosting your Goth-entine’s party in a space as unique as your group—because doesn’t a Galentine’s castle venue sound like the coolest thing ever?

“I have nowhere else to wear this”

You know that thing you bought one time for that other thing that’s just been hanging in your closet ever since? It’s her time to shine. Whether it’s the dress you almost wore to that wedding last year, a Halloween costume from two years ago, or that cap and gown you spent way too much on to only wear once, a “nowhere to wear this” Galentine’s theme is bound to inspire some belly laughs and fierce fashion show moments.

Pastel paradise

For something on the softer side, go for a pastel Galentine’s day theme. Embrace pastel color palettes in everything from outfits to decor to food and drinks. Check out these lovely pastel cocktails that can easily be turned into mocktails—because a picture-perfect drink is a marker of a good party. You can even incorporate art-making into your celebration using oil pastels. 

Y2K comeback

Ah, a simpler time when everyone thought a computer-induced apocalypse was inevitable. The late 90s and early 2000s gave us some legendary fashion staples. If low-rise denim and velour tracksuits no longer grace your closet, your local thrift store or go-to second-hand marketplace app is your best friend. 

Nail that “blast from the past” look with frosted lip gloss (bonus if it’s scented), colorful barettes, and a mini shoulder bag. Throw on some Britney, NSYNC, and Destiny’s Child, and in the words of Paris Hilton: that’s hot.

Decades night

Similar to a Y2K Galentine’s theme, but more of a “choose your own adventure”, a decades theme gives your squad freedom to pick their favorite era—flapper, rock ‘n’ roll, hippie, disco, grunge, you name it. If you’re looking to fully commit, try out some old-school recipes, play some movie and music trivia, and set out some disposable or polaroid cameras. 

Cozy & chill Galentine’s day themes

Galentine’s doesn’t have to be a high-energy shindig. Sometimes life feels so hectic that a low-key get-together with friends sounds like the best kind of therapy. Here are some Galentine’s themes that are perfect for cozy enthusiasts.

Pro tip: If your invite list is a bit bigger than your living room can handle, consider booking a Galentine’s day venue through Peerspace. Spread out and kick back in a spacious lounge, a bright and airy loft, or even a private movie theater. Peerspace’s rent-by-the-hour model ensures that you’re not paying for more time than you need.

Rom-com marathon

Who doesn’t love swooning over hearthrob actors, devouring popcorn, and cringing at the cheesy tropes we all know and love? It’s definitely a fact that romantic comedies are 10 times more enjoyable when watched with friends. Ramp up the fun by playing rom-com bingo or a drinking game. With such an expansive library of movies to choose from, have your friends submit their top 3 faves to help narrow down the day’s picks.

Secret sister (or Cupid) gift swap

Exhanging gifts with your friends can be special, silly, and sentimental all at the same time. Set a dollar amount so everyone is on the same page and send out a “draw names” link. You can even offer up a theme like self care, handmade, books, or gag gifts. Gift exchanges are a great way to make everyone feel seen and appreciated.

Sweater weather

Mid-February is as good a time as any to wrap yourself in oversized knits and even though the winter season is nearing its tail-end, you can still lean into that cozy feeling with hot cocoa, tea, and candles. Serve up some classic comfort foods and curl up by the fire. Don’t have one? Discover some gorgeous Galentine’s venues with fireplaces near you.

Pajama party

Channel the excitement of childhood slumber parties into your Galentine’s day theme by hosting a pajama party! Whether you chill out and watch movies, play Galentine’s games, or just gab for hours with your BFFs, pajamas and slippers are the perfect dress code. Play up the nostalgia by having a potluck-style meal featuring everyone’s childhood favorites.

At-home spa day

Make your Galentine’s day the ultimate zen experience by transforming your space into a spa. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to set up a relaxing environment where you and all your besties can unwind together. Sheet masks, a soothing playlist, lemon water, some bubbly, and perhaps a space with a hot tub? Just remember: BYOR (bring your own robe).

Creative & crafty Galentine’s theme ideas

If the craft store is your happy place then a creative Galentine’s day could be right up your alley. Not only is crafting with your friends a fun bonding experience, it also leaves everyone with a memento from the day. Consider some of these artsy themes for your Galentine’s party.

Craft corner

No craft discrimination here! Create your own DIY haven by providing all sorts of craft materials (thrift stores can be a treasure trove for budget-friendly craft supplies) or have people bring their own works in progress or a craft they’ve always wanted to try. From jewelry making to embroidery to air dry clay, there are so many creative avenues. Turn to Pinterest if you’re in need of some fresh inspiration!

Paint & sip soirée

Painting and sipping are some of life’s simplest pleasures. Even if you and your pals are far from museum-worthy artists, a paint and sip party almost always involves a chorus of constant laughter and plenty of ‘hey, that’s not too bad!’ moments. You can follow a YouTube painting tutorial or even hire a local instructor if you’re feeling boujee. Just don’t forget the aprons because things tend to get messy—especially as the sipping goes on.

Book swap bonanza

This is for all you bookworms out there who take their yearly Goodreads goals very seriously. A book swap is an awesome way to discover new books, share books you love, and recycle ones you’ve already finished. You can go about this in several ways whether you choose to wrap the books for some extra mystery, swap titles one-by-one, or just have a free-for-all. 

Schedule a follow-up book swap for a later date to do the whole thing again and discuss your bookish opinions. Have everyone bring some literary-inspired bites and set out supplies for people to design their own bookmarks!

Foodie & social Galentine’s themes

For the foodies, the social butterflies, and the active friend groups, these Galentine’s concepts revolve around two very important aspects of any party: the menu and the activity!

Tea party

Put on your floral fits, pearls, and lace gloves because it’s teatime. A Galentine’s tea party can be as fancy or laid-back as you’d like. Serve finger sandwiches, scones, and macarons, and don’t forget the teapots (spiked or not, your choice). Add dainty china, lace tablecloths, and fresh flowers to really lean into the theme.

Boards & babes

If one charcuterie board is good then ten are even better. This theme works by having each guest bring their own board like cheese and crackers, fruit, chocolate, sushi, candy, what have you. Let your imagination run wild! It’s a feast for the eyes and the stomach, and the variety makes it feel like a foodie potluck with a chic twist.

Thrifty business

A thrifting Galentine’s is perfect for stylish, sustainable friend groups. Have everyone show up in a thrifted fit, or organize a clothing/accessory swap so everyone goes home with something new to them. If your group loves a challenge, set a budget and hit a thrift store together, then do a runway show of your finds.

Murder mystery

If you and your friends are theater kids at heart, host a murder mystery dinner for Galentine’s. Guests come in character, and everyone works together to solve the whodunit. It’s part costume party, part theater, and guaranteed to spark hilarious improv moments. You can purchase a mystery kit online, or DIY one if you’re feeling ambitious.

Outdoorsy escape

Not all Galentine’s celebrations need to stay inside. If your crew loves fresh air and adventure, head outside for a group hike, scenic picnic, or bonfire. Pack a blanket, plenty of water, some energizing snacks, and hit the trails! Hand out some outdoorsy Galentine’s gifts like custom carabiners, camper mugs, or s’mores kits to really drive the theme home.

Tips for planning your themed Galentine’s party

No matter which theme you pick, a little planning goes a long way toward making your celebration smooth and stress-free.

• Pick your theme early: Share it in the group chat so everyone has time to plan their outfit, snacks, or gifts. Be sure to elaborate on how you envision the theme playing out so everyone is on the same page
• Delegate: Don’t take it all on yourself! Have friends bring a dish, decorations, or game.
• Think about space: Cozy nights are fun, but if your guest list is growing, consider hosting at a more spacious Galentine’s spot so everyone can spread out.
• Prep for photos: A simple backdrop, cute props, or good lighting will make your group pics pop.
• Don’t overcomplicate it: If you catch yourself stressing, remember that at the end of the day, Galentine’s is about friendship. As long as you’re together, the hangout will be a hit.

Celebrate your own way!

Whether you’re going all-out with sequins and sparkles, keeping it low-key in cozy sweaters, or living your Bridgerton fantasy at a tea party, the Galentine’s theme you choose is just the backdrop to a day centered around friendship. What matters most is the laughter, connection, and memories you create with your favorite people.

And if your celebration needs a little more room to thrive, think beyond your living room. Booking a Galentine’s brunch venue, private dinner space, or cozy lounge can elevate your get-together to the next level. Benefit from verified reviews, high-quality venue photos, and transparent pricing so you can skip the guesswork.

So pick your perfect theme, design your invites (I see you, Canva queens), rally up the troops, and get excited for a celebration that’s sure to leave you with lasting memories.