12 Creative Winter Party Ideas for the Colder Months
Some of the best party themes are oriented around winter. Things like snowflake balls and sledding parties can be magical affairs — and just as much fun as summer celebrations.
To help you plan the coolest wintertime gathering, we’ve put together this list of winter party ideas. Explore our favorite themes and activities for the winter season, whether you’re celebrating a birthday, family reunion, or another event.
12 Magical Winter Party Ideas
Whether you’re looking for birthday party ideas or inspiration for another wintertime celebration, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite options — from sledding and ice skating parties to laser tag or a snowflake ball.
For each of these party ideas, we’ve also included a matching digital invitation from our collection. Every invite is customizable, so you can adjust the colors, fonts, layout, wording, and even the envelope style to suit your occasion.
1. Ice Skating Party
Design: Lisa Travis
Matching invitation: Classic Ice Rink Invitation
Breathe in the cool crisp air with a fun ice skating party. This theme is great for both kids and adults. You can spring for group ice skating lessons, or rent out a rink for a private event. Create your own playlist with your favorite songs, and if you’re celebrating a birthday, ask the venue if there’s a party room to serve the cake.
Alternatively, bring the gang to a free skate period at the local rink, or have your party at a hockey game if you prefer to be a spectator and not an athlete.
If you’re lucky enough to live near a frozen lake in the winter, you can also host an ice skating party in the great outdoors. Just be sure that the ice is safe for skating.
2. Cupcake or Cookie Decorating Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Matching invitation: Baked Illustrations Invitation
Throwing a party for someone’s birthday, or simply want to get your friends together for some winter fun? Host a cupcake or cookie decorating party.
Order cupcake decorating kits online or from a local bakery, or take the DIY route (like one Redditor did with her mini cake decorating party). This event is great for kids or adults. You can have a contest for the best decorated cake or cookie, and the winner can take home a special party favor.
3. Snow Castle Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Matching invitation: Arctic Princess Invitation
What’s better than building a sandcastle in summer? Building a snow castle in the winter! This activity is great for getting everyone outdoors and keeping the kids busy. It would be a fun activity for a winter birthday party.
Building an igloo or snow castle is as easy as filling a plastic tub with snow. Pack the snow in it tightly, turn it over, and then pound on the bottom so the snow comes out.
You’re likely to get cold playing in the snow. Serve hot chocolate (or hot toddies for the adults!) to warm up.
4. Winter Movie Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Matching invitation: Movie Party Invitation
Who doesn’t love a movie night? It’s even better if you theme it around your favorite wintry film or franchise — like “Frozen.” Decorate using themed paper plates and tablecloths, and hang snowflake decor around the room. Serve Frozen-inspired cupcakes and white chocolate popcorn to enjoy as you watch the movie.
Not into “Frozen” but still want a winter movie-themed party? No problem! Decorate your space with classic winter decor including snowflakes and snowmen. Watch your favorite movies to inspire your winter theme — “Ice Age” or “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” anyone?
5. Winter Wine Tasting Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Matching invitation: Wine Pairing Invitation
Another great winter party idea is to host a wine tasting and pairing event. Pour flights of winter wines, and serve delicious small plates to pair them with. For example, you might choose a Sangiovese Rosé for charcuterie or a Tawny Port with pie or creme brulee for dessert.
6. Sledding or Skiing Party
Design: Patrice Horvath Design
Matching invitation: Hit The Slopes Invitation
Celebrate winter with an epic sledding or skiing party. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors during colder months. Head to your favorite sled hill or ski slope, or build a luge run in your own backyard.
You can include details on the party invitation about proper attire and whether they will need to bring or rent gear like sleds and skis.
7. Penguin and Snowman Sleepover Party
Design: Cynthia Jacquette Art and Design
Matching invitation: Charming Snowman Invitation
Another fun idea is a penguin and snowman slumber party. Ask guests to dress up as penguins, polar bears, or snowmen/snowwomen. Stage a snowball fight or a scavenger hunt, and hide wintertime items like a ski pole, snow gloves, a scarf, and an ice skate for the kids to find. The person or the team that finds the most items wins a prize.
Once the activities are over, serve plenty of tasty snacks, and spend the evening watching movies and or telling silly (or scary) wintertime stories. A penguin and snowman slumber party works great for a family gathering or a kids winter birthday party.
8. Snowflake Ball
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Matching invitation: Winter Wood Invitation
This winter party theme is perfect for a more glamorous celebration, whether it’s for a community fundraiser, a quinceanera or a Sweet 16, or an anniversary. Invite everyone to your snowflake ball where they’re sure to have a fun night dancing.
Decorate the space with snowflake garland and glittering white lights. You can add white drapery to create the look of a winter wonderland, and use silver or metallic place settings for a touch of sparkle.
Serve wintry foods like stew and soup, and finish it off with a dessert featuring ice cream to keep with the wintry theme. Ask guests to wear their best ball attire and get ready for a magical evening.
9. Laser Tag
Design: Jen Montgomery
Matching invitation: Laser Tag Invitation
The kiddos (and the young at heart) will have a blast with this winter party idea. Hit the local laser tag venue for hours of fun and laughs. It’s a perfect cure for cabin fever during the winter months. You can give attendees a goody bag with glow-in-the-dark stickers, neon lollipops, and glow sticks.
10. Winter Woodland Party
Design: Robinson Creative House
Matching invitation: Modern Plaid Invitation
Woodland-themed parties are perfect any time of year, especially if you add a winter twist. Set a boho vibe with natural colors and textures, or take inspiration from the outdoorsy camping look with plaid and darker hues.
Be inspired by nature when it comes to your decoration ideas, and fill the space with twinkling fairy lights. Add in some cozy food and warming drinks, and the chance to enjoy freshly toasted s’mores with your favorite people. We love this idea for a winter solstice celebration or a family gathering.
11. Hot Cocoa Bar Party
Design: Robinson Creative House
Matching invitation: Vintage Mug Invitation
We have ice cream parties for the summer months, but what about winter? Swap the ice cream sundaes for hot cocoa with a seasonal hot chocolate bar party. This is a winter celebration that’s ideal for any type of gathering, as long as you love hot chocolate! Serve up freshly made cocoa along with whipped cream, peppermint syrup, caramel syrup, and plenty of delicious toppings.
12. Winter Wonderland Theme Party
Design: Stephanie Ryan
Matching invitation: Woodland Winter Friends Invitation
Winter wonderland is a common theme for Christmas and holiday parties, but it also works well throughout the entire winter season. Embrace the cold weather and beauty of all things icy with this winter-themed party idea.
Hang fake icicles from the ceiling, feature ice sculptures as centerpieces, and be inspired by shades of icy white and cool blue when choosing your party decorations. Put together an elegant menu, and serve seasonal drinks to guests, like mulled wine or hot cocoa. Set up a photo booth, and capture the memories — especially if you’re celebrating an anniversary or milestone birthday celebration.
Host an Epic Winter Party
While we love a magical summer party, don’t leave winter out in the cold. Embrace the shorter days and frosty weather with these winter party ideas — from ice skating, skiing and sledding to cozy indoor activities like movie nights and wine tastings.
As your party planning progresses, choose one of our winter party invitations to help you spread the word about the big celebration. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, anniversary party, or a cozy gathering, there’s an invite to match any moment.
