The Essential Guide to Throwing an Epic 2000s Theme Party

When it comes to finding the perfect venue for your 2000s party, the good news is that anything goes. From a cool bar to a dingy indie club, pick a venue that suits your 00s style. If budget is a big consideration, go old-school with a house party for proper noughties vibes. The only thing that’s essential for an unforgettable 2000s theme party is space to dance. Music ruled supreme in the 00s, so make sure there’s plenty of room for shawty to get low (low, low, low, low, low, low, low).

A Y2K themed party is such a cool choice for a 30^th or 40^th birthday party, or as a fun hen party idea. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Who isn’t going to want to re-visit their heyday when low-rise jeans, flip phones and MySpace were all that was needed to live your very best life, hey? Every party needs decorations to bring the theme to life, and for your 2000s throwback party there’s loads of options when it comes to fun décor that really brings the party atmosphere, without costing a fortune.

Team Bling

Y2K was all about glitz and bling; celeb culture was everything. Channel this glam, A-list look with plenty of sparkle and a whole lot of pink (you’ve got Mean Girls to thank for that).

• Disco ball
• Sparkly backdrops
• Butterfly motifs
• Confetti-filled balloons

Urban vibes

The 00s was the decade when Garage music really hit the mainstream, thanks to artists like Craig David and Artful Dodger. Give a nod to this cool urban style with 2000s party decorations like graffiti signs or a large, DIY spray-painted backdrop.

Total 00s

Celebrate the 2000s in all their glory with nostalgia-tinged decorations that capture the zeitgeist of the early 00s. So fetch.

• I heart 00s balloons
• Life-size carboard cut-outs of iconic Y2K celebrities
• 2000s celeb-themed bunting
• Hanging CD backdrop – a great DIY option

If you want to simply dive headfirst into the world of nostalgic kitsch that is the noughties, you go for it. The 2000s had such a distinct style and was an era packed with massive cultural moments that would absolutely break the internet today, so there is endless inspiration if you fancy a general 00s theme party. Alternatively, why not give your guests a bit of direction with one of these 2000s party themes?

Reality bites

The 2000s were the decade when must-watch TV shows were everywhere. Reality TV became a thing, and it absolutely ruled our screens (and our evening/weekend plans) for a long time. Theme your party around one of the noughties’ most era-defining TV shows.

Pop Idol/American Idol/Popstars: The Rivals/The X Factor

It almost feels impossible to remember a time before music talent shows like Pop Idol and The X Factor. American Idol kicked it all off in 2000, with Pop Idol airing in the UK the following year. The choice of contestants or judges to dress up as is huge (Kelly Clarkson, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Harry Styles in his 1D era or Leona Lewis to name a few). For entertainment, guests can get stuck into some mega sing-offs to find out who is going through to the next round…

Big Brother

The pop culture phenomenon that is Big Brother first aired in the UK in July 2000, and the world was hooked. No TV show defined the early 00s quite like Big Brother and we think it makes an excellent theme for a Y2K party. Dress up as your favourite contestant and don’t forget to DIY your own Diary Room, complete with fancy Diary Room chair.

The Hills

This LA-based reality series gave us Y2K style icons Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and Audrina Patridge – as well as set us up for unrealistic intern expectations. And, while we didn’t end up working at Teen Vogue and living the life in California, this mega-hit TV show has stayed with us ever since. Channel the Cali vibe with blow-up palm trees and dress up in the kind of noughties fashion your tween/teen self would have been proud of.

Y2K’s biggest films

The 00s gave us some absolute film classics, which work so well as cool noughties party themes. How about some of these as the theme for your next massive celebration?

• Mean Girls
• Lord of the Rings
• Almost Famous
• The Devil Wears Prada
• Mamma Mia!
• Legally Blonde

This was the decade when celeb culture exploded. Invite your guests to dress up as one of their ultimate 2000s celebrity icons, whether that’s Paris Hilton or Big Brother OG, Nasty Nick. And don’t forget the Y2K celeb icon bunting and cardboard cut-out figures to nail the theme.

You in the 00s

For a really fun 2000s party theme, ask your guests to take an authentic step back in time. A ‘You in the 00s’ theme gives you the chance to revisit your younger self, whether this means the old ‘dress over jeans’ look, classic MySpace emo style or wannabe member of The Strokes get up.

Classic Y2k style

They say everything comes back in fashion at some point, and the 00s are definitely having a moment right now. The high street is packed with Y2K-inspired style that makes getting the noughties look a total breeze. Why not try some of these 2000s party outfit ideas on for size?

• Double denim
• Low-rise jeans
• Handkerchief tops
• Parachute trousers/cargo trousers
• A velour tracksuit – extra marks if it’s from Juicy Couture
• Trucker caps, à la Von Dutch
• Skirt/dress over jeans
• Butterfly clips
• Paler than pale lipstick
• Spiky hair (frosted tips for a true 00s feel)
• Baggy jeans and smart shoes for the men (classic 00s combo)
• Boho skirt and disc belt
• T-shirts over long-sleeve t-shirts
• Neon everything

Iconic 00s couples

Heading to the party as a twosome? Here are the hottest 00s couples to dress up as:

• Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie from The Simple Life. That’s hot.
• Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake – their all-denim 2001 MTV Awards outfits are peak 00s.
• Beyonce and Jay-Z; the Crazy in Love era.
• J-Lo and Puff Daddy – we’re talking the 2000 Grammy Awards with that tropical Versace dress and shiny suit.

Music is what any self-respecting 00s theme party is going to revolve around, so you really need to get it right. Have a think about what suits your venue and party style – perhaps you fancy sticking to a particular 00s musical genre or just want to choose your favourite songs from the decade. Creating your own playlist full of 2000s party songs is an easy money-saving option, but if you’ve got the budget, a live band or DJ will take your party to Another Level (00s band pun intended).

DJs for your 2000s theme party

Hiring a pro DJ for the night means you can relax knowing that the music is in safe hands and the dancefloor will be packed all night. Function Central has some of the UK’s best event DJs on its books, who can tailor their tunes to match your 00s theme. Click here to find a DJ that suits your party style.

All about Hip Hop

Hip Hop was massive in the 00s. Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, 50 Cent and Nelly were some of the biggest names of the decade and their hits are still absolute floor-fillers.

Indie kids assemble

The noughties were a golden age for indie pop and rock, with bands like The Stokes, Franz Ferdinand and The Killers really defining the sound of the start of the new millennium. When it comes to Y2K indie anthems you can’t beat Arctic Monkeys’ You Look Good on the Dancefloor and The Killers’ Mr Brightside. Recreate the pop-rock vibe at your party with a live band like Banzai.

Pure 00s pop

S Club 7, Steps, Girls Aloud, NSYNC, Britney Spears and Busted; does it get any better for a pop fan than the early 00s? When putting together your 2000s theme party playlist, don’t forget the pop classics that will get everyone up on the dancefloor. Top marks if you can remember the dance routines too.

R&B rules

The 00s were responsible for some huge R&B/pop crossover bangers. If you want to get the dancefloor heaving with live versions of classic by the likes of Destiny’s Child and TLC, check out the amazing Pacha Vibe and Radio Club.

Stay loyal to the nostalgic theme of your 2000s throwback party with cute and quirky entertainment ideas.

Y2K karaoke

Host your own Pop Idol final with karaoke-offs to the finest 00s anthems.

2000s trivia quiz

How much do you really remember about the noughties? Put everyone’s memories to the test with a fun 00s quiz, covering everything from music to films, and see who is a Y2K mastermind.

Disposable cameras

In those heady pre-camera phone days, we relied on the luck of the gods to see if we’d managed to take any decent photos on a night out. Leave out disposable cameras for your guests to snap away at your party – the fun part is when the films get developed.

Feeling inspired? Now you’re armed with all the Y2K party inspiration you’ll ever need, it’s time to start planning. Get the music sorted first with a pro DJ or live band from Function Central. Whether you’re into hip hop, pop, garage, R&B or you’re a noughties emo at heart, we’ve got you covered.