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32 Outrageous Fraternity Party Theme Ideas

What’s college without socializing? Here are some fraternity party theme ideas that will make your nights more memorable!

Joining a fraternity or sorority can be one of the most fun college experiences! It will give you tons of memories, lots of life-long friends, and let’s be honesty, lots of fun parties!

Fraternities are known for throwing some of the best college parties on campus.

That can be a lot of pressure to live up to but also a ton of fun to plan. The first step is figuring out what the college party theme will be — because frat parties have to have a theme, right?

To take a good time and make it a great time, consider making your next college party a themed party.

These themes are a great way to liven up the party and let college students get creative with their outfits!

Some good themes are hard to come up with fun costumes, while others may be easier.

This list of party themes can be used for fraternity or sorority party ideas…but you can still use them if you’re out of college and looking for unique party themes too!

32 Fraternity Party Theme Ideas

Animal House

The movie may be from the ’70s, but “Animal House” is the OG fraternity movie and all about fun, making it a perfect theme for your frat party!

Have people dress as the stars from the movie or have a movie screening followed by a party based on it.

Fratalina Wine Mixer

Another movie that probably comes to mind when you think of frats is “Stepbrothers.”

This is an especially fun theme if you’re doing a Fraternity and Sorority mixer.

Dress up in your best and sip on wine — try and get nicer glasses rather than drinking wine out of solo cups!

ABC Party

A college classic – an “Anything But Clothes” party.

No, this doesn’t mean you show up naked. This means you get real creative and make an outfit out of things that aren’t your clothes – think garbage bag, poster board, caution tape, etc.

Toga Party

It is called Greek life, right? A toga party is a classic when it comes to college party themes for a reason.

Plus, all you really need is a bed sheet!

Disco night

Yes, you really should get a disco ball for this one but it’ll be so worth it.

Everyone can wear their bell bottoms and floral shirts.

The best thing is that it seems the 70s style is back so you probably have things in your closet already!

Group of multi ethnic young friends eating pizza in home interior.

Casino night

Turn your frat house into a Vegas style casino, filled with glitz and glamour!

If you have the funds, book some casino games or set up a poker table. If you can’t or don’t want to gamble, use monopoly money or just give off the vibe of a casino with your decorations.

Country club

Get everyone super preppy with a country club theme! Tell everyone to come in their best country club look whether it’s khaki pants, polo shirts, tennis skirts.

You can even order an indoor golf net to set up in the living room.

Gym bros

Do you just want to be comfortable at your party?

Have a gym bros party and have everyone come in gym clothes! If you want to get kinda active you can have fun games like a push up contest.

Memes

An out of the box theme – have everyone come as a funny internet joke! It’ll be great for conversation starters.

Pajama party

Another great idea if comfort is your goal – have a pajama party. Just make sure that everyone comes in their pajamas, even if they may not normally sleep in pajamas (if you know what we mean!).

2000’s throwback

Y2K fashion’s coming back, so take advantage and turn it into your next party!

Play only songs from the 2000s, dress like your favorite celebrities from the era, and feed everyone some classic snacks like Fruit Roll Ups.

Tie Dye theme

This can be a two part party. The first can be a fun get together where you all dye your shirts together.

Then later that night, or the next day, you can have a party where everyone rocks the shirts they made!

Jersey Shore theme

Pretend you’re a cast member of “The Jersey Shore” – up to you how much drama you want to bring!

Wear a fitted black tea or your favorite team’s jersey, white sneakers, and spike your hair a la DJ Pauly D.

Christmas party

This one’s perfect for December, but doesn’t have to be limited to it.

Get your santa hats out and wear anything red or green. Make sure the playlist is filled with Christmas songs!

two female disco dancers posing in UV costume

Ugly sweater party

If you don’t want to call it a Christmas party, have an ugly sweater party!

Turn it into a competition to see who comes wearing the ugliest sweater.

At the end of the night, winner of best/worst sweater gets a prize.

A hoedown

Book a country band to perform – see if you have one on campus! – or just make a playlist filled with country.

Have everyone come in flannel button-ups, jeans, and cowboy boots.

If someone knows how to do line dances, have them teach the others!

Kentucky Derby

Perfect for the day of the Kentucky Derby or weeks leading up to it! Have everyone dress to the nines, as if they were going to the Derby.

You can roll out the proverbial red carpet and have people take photos as they walk in the door. If it’s the day of the Derby, make sure you have it on TV!

Fake wedding

TikTok star Alix Earle recently “got married” at a frat wedding and it looked so fun.

You’ll need to partner with a sorority for this one. Have the frat pick the groom and the sorority pick the bride and have a fake wedding!

Hawaiian theme

A go-to party favorite, for right reason. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re in Hawaii?

Get leis, hula skirts, a coconut bra or floral print or maybe even Hawaiian shirts and you’re ready to go.

Make sure you have tropical drinks ready (assuming everyone’s 21) like a Blue Hawaiian.

Jungle theme

Go absolutely crazy with animal prints or wear your favorite animal onesie! Decorate the frat house like it’s a jungle.

High School stereotypes

Always wanted to be a jock? Now’s your chance. Or just relive your high school days if you missed them!

Superheroes

Are people team Marvel or DC Comics? Find out by having everyone dress like their favorite superhero.

Under the sea

Similar to the jungle theme, but only focusing on the sea. Think fish, mermaids, mermen, and lots of blue.

A pool party

Have everyone come like they’d go to a pool party! If the weather’s nice, get a blow up pool that everyone can playfully go in.

Hometown pride

Have everyone rep their hometown – whether it’s a local team, their HS colors, etc.

Blackout

Another traditional frat theme, because it’s so easy! Have everyone wear all black. That’s it, that’s the only rule.

Whiteout

Yes, another traditional frat theme, and you guessed it – everyone wears all white. White shirts, white pants, white socks, white shoes!

Neon party

You can call this an ’80s party if you’d like since neon was all the rage in the ’80s but have everyone come in neon colors. Grab some glow sticks for everyone for an extra fun time.

School pride

You love your school, right? Come decked out in school gear and see who the biggest fan is. 

Great Gatsby

An expanded play on 20s themed party… get out your flapper dresses and martini glasses!

90s

Don’t forget the black lights and embrace all the flannel, ripped genes, and other favorite styles. Party goers can dress to their favorite part of the 90s.

Dynamic Duos

Think about your favorite best friend parings: Chandler and Joey, Turk and JD, Troy and Abed, Steve and Dustin, Coach Beard and Ted Lasso, Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang, Jess and CeCe…the list goes on!

Everyone has a favorite celebrity duo and this night will get interesting!

In Summary: Fraternity Party Theme Ideas

While frat party themes are fun, just a reminder that you don’t have to be a frat guy to have themed parties. You can turn most social events into an even more fun night by adding a theme!

Any opportunity to dress up or be a little silly with costume ideas is always a good idea when it comes to college kids!

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About the Author

Michelle Ioannou

Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.