12 Memorable Class Reunion Ideas (2024)

Need a few fun and memorable class reunion ideas? Then you’ve come to the right place since that’s exactly what we at Peerspace have for you ahead! As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we invite you to check out our favorite class reunion ideas along with a few suggestions on the best class reunion rental spaces!

Class reunions are a great time to catch up and let the memories flow, and your venue will determine how comfortable your guests are. But your reunion also shouldn’t just be about reminiscing about school-age memories — it should also be about making new ones!

Make sure your reunion is a time to remember by including these 11 incredible class reunion ideas. We’ll share information about Peerspace venues perfect for catching up with old classmates, too!

1. Book a Peerspace for a bespoke place to reconnect

Start the party off right by having your class reunion in an unforgettable location. With Peerspace, you can discover and book hidden gem spaces in cities across the globe. Our simple-to-use platform makes it easy to narrow down your search to only the spaces that suit your parameters, like price, location, and style.

So what types of Peerspaces are best for class reunions?

You can book a gorgeous rooftop space overlooking the city, a sprawling ranch with tons of fun activities available, a spacious gallery with conversation-piece art, or just a large backyard area with plenty of room to mingle!

To be more precise, here are some of our favorite class reunion-worthy venues near you:

• This beautiful BYOB event space in Chicago, IL for up to 80 people
• This 5th Avenue loft in Midtown Manhattan, NYC with a rooftop and kitchen for up to 100 people
• This rustic wine bar in Dallas, TX with a patio and space for 36 guests (pictured above)
• This industrial-chic cafe space in Los Angeles, CA with a patio, loft, and room for 100 people
• This cozy and intimate speakeasy bar in Toronto, ON with custom food and drinks for up to 40
• This outdoor treasure box in Portland, OR with multiple covered patios and space for 20 guests

And that’s only the beginning! In fact, with Peerspace, it’s easy to find the perfect outdoor or indoor venue for your class reunion. Search by the city you live in and sort by amenities you are looking for, like a deck, fire pit, grill, or gazebo included with your rental!

You can also discuss your plan with venue hosts, book in just a few clicks, and read reviews from others who have booked the space. Get started here.

2. Take group photos to preserve the memories

There are so many opportunities for great photos at a class reunion! Consider hiring an event photographer for quality photos the whole class will love. Alternatively, you can opt to buy disposable cameras for fun throwback photo ops or bring a Polaroid camera to snap party favor pics.

Photography also brings some fun class reunion ideas, like having guests recreate photos from high school with those same friends today!

3. Delicious class reunion ideas: get it catered

What’s a party without good grub? Not a party we want an invite to, that’s for sure! Whether you are just looking to have a few cocktail party options at the class reunion, some light hors d’oeuvres, or a full outdoor brunch service, you’ll want to reach out to a few caterers to see what they can offer.

If you love the idea of having snacks and drinks but don’t want to deal with the headache of planning it out, many Peerspace hosts can help. Since many Peerspaces operate as full-time event spaces, restaurants, bars, and lounges, the venue’s host is happy to work with you to custom-create a menu to suit your class reunion. It’s a fun and easy way to ensure a bespoke event.

Learn where and how to rent a kitchen for the day and get some serious cooking done!

4. Take a trip down memory lane

The school you all graduated from may not be an ideal location for your entire reunion, but it could be a fun activity to stop by for a tour! This would be a great way to start the celebration and begin the trip down memory lane. Discuss whether a tour is possible with the school staff and then enjoy seeing how much (or how little) your school has changed since you were a student there! 

5. Play a few rounds of personalized Bingo

Sometimes class reunion ideas can be a bit much for those who want to chat and catch up with old friends. In these cases, keep the party games relaxed and low-key with options like class bingo.

Fill the bingo board with fun facts about different members of your graduating class, like “find the person who wrestled an alligator 5 years after graduating” or “find the person who dropped out of medical school to become a pilot”. The person to who these fun facts apply can “sign off” on the bingo box. The first person to also get their board signed off by classmates in bingo gets a prize!

6. Hand out fun prizes and favors

Speaking of prizes … Ensure you have some good ones ready! Make everyone laugh with gifts like old CDs and VHSs, or opt for something more sentimental like a framed class photo. As people head out for the night, consider leaving with them with a small parting gift. A coaster and pint glass with your class year on it are cute and useful class reunion ideas!

For more ideas, check out our creative swag bag ideas blog.

7. Set time aside for speeches

It’s amazing to see how far everyone has come! You may not have time to speak with everyone at the reunion, so a great way to hear the latest news is through a speech from someone well-updated on the goings-on of all the graduates! This would also be a great time to hear from the former valedictorian for a touching speech or the class clown for a good laugh.

Book an auditorium on Peerspace to ensure you have a stage, plenty of room for seating, and the perfect acoustics. One of our favorite examples is this newly renovated performance and rehearsal space in Seattle, WA. At more than 1,300 square feet, it provides a stage, theater lighting, tables and chairs, a projector, a sound system, and a piano. The vintage chalkboards are sure to impart some classroom nostalgia, too!

8. Photo slideshow: then and now

It can be hard to remember everything that happened back in your high school years, so jog everyone’s memory with a great photo slideshow! It doesn’t need to be just pictures of students either.

You can also add world news and local news stories and photos from the time. Or maybe some pop culture references. This is one of those class reunion ideas that are sure to inspire lots of laughs and maybe even a couple of gasps.

Reuniting with the fam? Then you need to see our 9 memorable family reunion party ideas blog!

9. Play music from your graduation year

Keep the memory train rollin’ and play the tunes you used to jam out to during your teenage years! Don’t forget to play some fun slow songs to dance to, like your back at prom, a few songs that everyone still remembers the lyrics to, and then some real bangers to get everyone on the dance floor!

Might as well cut to the chase and book an amazing dance studio through Peerspace that has the perfect ambiance, setup, lighting, and sound equipment. One cool suggestion is this neon dance studio for events in Scottsdale, AZ. It has the vibe you want and the equipment you need to make it perfect for any class reunion dance-offs!

10. Style your venue with memory-filled decorations

Bring back the feel of graduation year with some throwback decorations! Recreate the prom photo area with a backdrop and streamers, decorate the walls with yearbook pictures, and plaster your graduation year in big block letters throughout the room. Amazon has a whole section of class reunion decorations for you to choose from!

Start by booking a gathering space that suits your class reunion guest list space needs while providing something of a blank slate look that you can then dress up with your reunion decorations. One of our favorites is this modern lifestyle set studio in Brooklyn, NYC. It has space for 60 guests, an open floor plan, and bright white walls, all of which are ideal for serving as the backdrop to your decorations.

In fact, check out what a Peerspace reviewer shared after booking their own event here: “The space is beautiful, very clean, easy entry, lots of space and you have the creative freedom to decorate however you’d like. I would definitely book this space again.”

11. Theme it up to inspire the attire (and venue!)

Remember those school dances that always had a cute albeit cheesy theme? Under the sea, Totally 80s, Winter Wonderland, A Night Under the Stars, you get our point! Sure, it was corny when you were an awkward teen and living it, but as an adult with their own life and responsibilities, a theme party sounds like a dreamy escape!

Conspire with your classmates and base your class reunion ideas on a theme from a school dance you remember most. Only now, you can enjoy it with a more mature mindset and appreciate it as it’s happening.

Once you choose your theme, you can easily book an event venue through Peerspace to match. For instance, say you had a Great Gatsby theme dance and want to relive it. If you and your classmates are reuniting in San Francisco, this Castro Speakeasy couldn’t be any more perfect for the event!

In fact, check out what a Peerspace reviewer shared after hosting a party here. “Nate was a wonderful and communicative host and our bartender was lovely. the venue is very classy and clean. perfect size for 20-30 people!”

Learn all about planning an amazing class reunion here!

12. Make the after-party the stuff of legends

Your party-packed class reunion ideas don’t have to end just because the official party ended. Now, it’s time for the after-party to begin! Head to a local bar with your close high school friends, or even consider renting a private party venue through Peerspace to hang out with a smaller group from the reunion and continue catching up.

For instance, class reunion planners in the UK may consider renting a pub like this cool and contemporary bar in Chester for their after-party space. It has indoor and outdoor seating as well as a world-class selection of wines to help keep the conversation fun and relaxed.

Stateside class reunion after-party planners may want to book time at a venue like this intimate pizza and kava bar and lounge in Atlanta, GA. As the name suggests, they specialize in gourmet pizza and craft kava, all served in an inviting ambiance that your class reunion attendees are sure to love.

Peerspace brings class reunion ideas to life

We hope you enjoyed these class reunion ideas as much as we did! Overall, planning your class reunion requires patience, attention to detail, and an amazing venue.

These are all things that Peerspace can help you with, thankfully! Browse our platform and book the perfect reunion venue. Then consult your chosen venue’s help host if you need help figuring out catering, A/V gear, and other event necessities.

Before you know it, you and your classmates will be reuniting in style and maybe even talking about a reunion, part two!

Find unique reunion venues on Peerspace