Sneaker ball ideas: woman in a dress sneakers posing for a photo

When you want something elegant yet fun, a sneaker ball is the perfect combination. Picture your typical ball or gala event, but swap the heels or dress shoes for your favorite sneakers instead.

If this sounds like the best way to celebrate a birthday or another milestone, we have all the sneaker ball ideas you’ll need. Get your sneakers or high tops ready for an unforgettable evening.

What You Need for a Sneaker Ball

A sneaker ball is an exciting alternative to a classic formal event, but it comes with many of the same must-haves as any celebration event.

To pull off a successful sneaker ball, you’ll need:

  • A simple budget
  • Party venue
  • Date and time
  • Guest list
  • Entertainment, activities, or party games
  • Dress code
  • Food and refreshments
  • Party decorations
  • Party invitations

With all these details sorted, you can then focus more on the creative aspects of planning and let those sneaker ball ideas shine!

12 of the Best Sneaker Ball Ideas

Looking for all the best ways to turn your fancy-yet-casual event into one people will remember for years to come? Explore all our favorite sneaker ball party ideas — from what to wear to how to spend the evening.

1. Choose a Theme for Your Ball

Glitter Groove Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

“Sneaker ball” itself can be considered a theme, but you can also add a more distinct theme to make the event feel even more special. Look for a sneaker ball theme that matches your style or personality and that creates the right vibe for your event.

You could go for an all-white theme gala theme and ask everyone to wear white sneakers, or host a rainbow themed event where people are encouraged to dress as brightly as they can. Style the event around your favorite sneaker brand, or ask people to come in the kind of sneakers they loved when they were kids. Choose an invite to match too, like this disco ball invitation.

2. Find the Perfect Venue

Whether it’s for a birthday party or a corporate event, the right venue can play a role in how your sneaker ball event is received. Look for a venue that feels ultra luxe or stylish for that elegant feel, or a place that’s super casual so the formal attire feels unexpected.

As you’re viewing venues, be sure to ask whether sneakers are allowed. Some luxury hotels or venues with delicate flooring may restrict the type of footwear you can wear to protect the material underneath.

3. Celebrate a Good Cause

A gala or ball is a great way for businesses and nonprofits to raise money for a good cause, and this is an element you can bring to your sneaker ball too. Gather your fellow sneakerheads to raise funds for a charity or nonprofit, or towards a community project that’s close to your heart.

You can even raise money without it being the center of your event, too. For a birthday party, include a link where people can make a donation toward a charity of your choice, instead of bringing along a birthday gift.

4. Send Themed Party Invitations

Laced Up Invitation

Design: Signature Greenvelope

One of the best ways to get people excited about your event is with your invitations — so create and send invites that create the right party atmosphere. We have an extensive range of online invitations for any occasion, including a sneaker ball.

Choose one of our elegant ball invitations, or something that mentions sneakers or dancing — like this illustrated sneaker invitation. Play around with the layout, fonts, colors, and wording until you have an invite that perfectly matches your celebration.

5. Set a Fun Dress Code

Not everyone’s heard of a sneaker ball before, so this is the perfect time to introduce the concept and explain what your dress code is. Some sneaker ball parties are black tie, while others simply ask for formal attire or party outfits.

Let guests know what your event dress code is, and provide a few sneaker ball outfit ideas and examples of what to wear — like a sneaker ball dress with sequins, a blazer and slacks, or a jumpsuit. It can also be helpful to mention what not to wear, if you have particular exclusions around clothing.

6. Style the Space With Sneakers

When it comes to party decorations, take inspiration from high tops, lace-ups, and sneakers. You can include traditional party decor too, like balloons and garlands, but use elements of your party theme or sneakers themselves as standout pieces.

Create a centerpiece with a tower of shoe boxes or sneakers, or hang a backdrop that features close-ups of sneaker details or your favorite brands. Have a giant cut-out of a sneaker somewhere, or set up an area with a sparkly backdrop and sneaker props for photos.

7. Serve Themed Food

Add even more excitement to your party with food themed around either sneakers or shoes, or the sports that you’d play while wearing them. This is a great way to turn something ordinary and expected into a moment of uniqueness — much like the theme of a sneaker ball itself!

Serve up some delicious sports boards filled with both savory and sweet bites. Decorate cupcakes with sneaker themed toppers, and give your desserts fun names to match, like:

  • Caramel-Laced Brownies
  • Tirami-shoe (who doesn’t want shoe-themed tiramisu?)
  • Converse-ation Heart Rice Krispies (dot your shoe-shaped treats with Valentine’s heart candies)
  • Hoka-Dot Cupcakes
  • Light as Air Jordan Mousse

8. Add Themed Cocktails and Mocktails to Your Menu

Cocktails and mocktails always have memorable names, and you can bring that to your event by making them sneaker or sports themed. Take classic drinks and add your own twist to them — either by changing the name or an ingredient or two. 

Try:

  • Tequila Sole-rise
  • Mai Tie
  • Lace Word (a play on a Last Word)
  • Shoe-driver (a riff on Screwdriver)
  • Bee’s Nikes (like Bee’s Knees)

Decorate your bar area with a themed banner, and a few handwritten signs to let guests know what they can order. Add themed paper straws and napkins, and you have the ideal place to grab a drink between activities or songs.

9. Hire a DJ

The dance floor is the highlight of any ball, and whether you’re gathering for a traditional dance or breaking out some modern moves, you’ll need someone there to keep the vibe high all evening.

Invest in a DJ that’s experienced in large events, or work with your local college or community to showcase younger or more inexperienced talent. Add lights and a great sound system, and encourage your guests to spend the night dancing — it’s easier in sneakers, after all!

10. Host a Fashion Show

It’s not always easy to get a good view of everyone’s sneakers with the lights low on the dance floor. Make way or add a temporary stage so you can have guests walk a catwalk to show off their footwear.

This is the perfect way for people to show off their creativity and DIY skills, with high-tops decorated with bling or sneakers with brightly colored laces and custom artwork. You could even have judges or the audience vote on their favorite pair, with the owner winning a prize.

11. Add a Prize Draw

If you’re hosting an event as a fundraiser, do a prize draw or raffle with the chance to win a pair of limited edition or custom sneakers. It’s sure to bring in extra funds and you have the perfect audience for it.

Secure a donation of a pair of popular or custom sneakers, or a gift voucher for the winner to spend on some new footwear. Set up a raffle or prize draw, and announce the winner that evening. Just be sure to check for any regulations or rules you need to adhere to when it comes to running this type of lottery.

12. Hand Out Sneaker Themed Party Favors

The type of favors you hand out depends on the reason for the event and your guest list, but there’s one thing we can recommend — make them sneaker themed!

You can’t go wrong with personalized cookies or cupcakes, or a sneaker shaped keyring. Other good party favor options include a sports store gift card, a pouch of candy, or temporary tattoos.

Mix Formal With Sneakers for Extra Fun

A sneaker ball is the ideal way to mix elegant with casual. Swap the heels and formal footwear for something more comfortable as you drink, dance, and spend time with loved ones.

As you prepare for your sneaker ball, don’t miss one key step — the invitations! Choose one of our entertaining invitations and customize it to match the style of your big event, then send those invites on their way to your guest list in moments.