12 Awesome Taco Party Ideas

Need a few unique (and tasty!) taco party ideas? At Peerspace, we get it! Tacos are probably one of the most delicious foods on Earth, so a party where tacos are the central focus is a great idea to us, too.

We’ve gathered 11 great taco party ideas for your celebration – whether it’s celebrating a specific event like a birthday party or it’s just an excuse to eat tacos (equally valid!).

But first things first. Follow these ideas and your taco party will be a total success.

1. Create a taco bar

Taco bars simplify and speed up the process of ensuring everyone gets to eat tacos. Instead of having one person prepare them and hand them out one by one, you and your guests can all assemble their own tacos using the taco bar.

As A Reinvented Mom’s blog points out, “Hosting a party is stressful enough, and since the prep is simple with tacos, you can make most of the fillings and sides ahead of time. Tacos also take the headache out of meal planning for the party. When guests have the option to customize their own plate, they’ll be fully satisfied.”

It’s up to you what exactly you include in your taco bar, but here are some ideas and recipes for delicious taco fillings/toppings to get you started.

2. Taco shell debate and other fun games

In addition to the delicious food, another important taco party idea is providing guests with activities that will keep them entertained.

Greenvelope’s blog suggests a taco shell debate, which could make for some hilarious interactions: “If your friends have passionate feelings about tortillas, name a few judges, then divide into teams and see who can defend their taco shell selection. You can do a couple rounds of debating, with one dedicated to hard vs. soft shells and another that’s all about flour vs. corn tortillas.”

Have regular party games and board games on hand and consider dancing if you’re having a more high-energy party with space for a dance floor.

3. Taco piñata

Here’s a classic, affordable, and easy taco party idea: a taco-shaped piñata! You can find these at lots of party supply stores. Fill the piñata with authentic Mexican candies if you want to really keep the theme going.

Tacos taste better in the sun! Check out our outdoor party decoration ideas to enhance your party’s vibe.

4. Provide a variety of tortilla options

One way you can help to accommodate picky eaters without a lot of effort is to provide different tortilla options. Possibilities include soft flour and corn tortillas as well as hard corn tortillas. You might even include tortilla chips in case people would prefer to dip them in the ingredients.

5. Vary your ingredients’ spiciness – and warn your guests

Unless all your guests are big fans of spicy food, ensure that you have enough taco topping options for palates that are less accustomed to spice.

And if any of the dishes you’re providing are particularly spicy, it’s helpful to label the items with their spice level. It will help people avoid a potentially painful and unpleasant surprise!

6. Provide an electric griddle

If you do end up going with our taco bar idea, consider giving your guests access to an electric griddle (as long as you can do so safely, of course). This will allow them to heat their tortillas up before assembling their tacos, which will make them that much more delicious.

You can also opt to host your taco party at an outdoor venue that comes equipped with a grill. That way, you or your caterer can whip up hot taco shells and freshly grilled ingredients on the premises! You can easily find an amazing event space with a grill in cities across the country with Peerspace.

7. Have vegetarian and/or vegan options

One of the great things about tacos is how customizable they are with different ingredients. It means they’re really easy to make meat- and dairy-free, depending on what kind of dietary restrictions your guests have.

Unless you’re absolutely sure no one at your party is vegetarian or vegan, it’s a good idea to provide plenty of animal product-free options to your guests so that no one goes home hungry.

8. Don’t forget beverages

Have you considered what beverages you’ll serve yet? Options we’d suggest that would go perfectly with tacos include margaritas, sangria, or for the non-drinkers, agua fresca (a light, non-alcoholic drink made of fruit blended with water, sugar, and lime juice). For more ideas, check out this advice on 6 of the best drinks to pair with tacos.

A taco carnival? You bet! Check out our carnival party ideas to double-up your inspiration!

9. Play the “Taco vs. Burrito” card game

“Taco vs. Burrito” isn’t just a friendly debate topic – it’s also a “wildly popular surprisingly strategic game created by a 7 year old,” according to the game’s website! If you think you’ll want to play card games at your party, be sure to pick up a copy of Taco vs. Burrito beforehand.

10. Dessert tacos

You may not have even heard of dessert tacos before. However, if you’re planning on serving dessert, they’re probably the most suitable taco party idea. There are plenty of recipes for dessert tacos out there, but we’re partial to the ones on this list of 25 easy dessert tacos from Insanely Good Recipes. The churro dessert tacos with strawberries and cream sound especially decadent!

11. Hang a taco garland

If you’re really going all out with the taco-themed decor, we love this taco garland from Etsy seller ChoaticCollected.

And if you don’t have a space of your own that you can decorate and throw a party, then consider renting a cute Mexican casita restaurant. Its cheery decor and colorful tablecloths will surely help you and your guests get into the fiesta spirit.

12. Host a Cinco de Mayo–inspired taco bash

A taco party is a natural fit for a Cinco de Mayo party. Lean into the festive spirit with colorful decorations, Mexican music, and a wide variety of taco fillings so everyone can build their own perfect plate. Add in margaritas, agua frescas, or a DIY salsa bar to complete the vibe. Even if it’s not May 5th, this theme guarantees a lively, flavorful celebration.

Make it a taco celebration to remember

At the end of the day, tacos bring people together — whether you’re hosting a laid-back weeknight get-together or a big themed celebration. With the right mix of flavors, toppings, and festive touches, your taco party will be more than just a meal — it’ll be an experience your guests savor long after the last bite.