10 great marquee party theme ideas

We love creating parties of all shapes and sizes (no surprise there!), but there is something particularly satisfying about creating a marquee party. It’s the excitement of being given a blank canvas on which to develop a party theme, create a space that is visually inspiring and ensure a fantastic atmosphere for the guests. No rules, no restrictions, a marquee is a party just waiting to happen – here are some of our favourite ideas.

1. Festival

Perfect for summer parties! Forget the traditional marquee and go for tipis adorned with bunting. Go rustic with straw bales, oak barrels, scatter cushions and lanterns. Don’t forget festival flags!

festival marquee party

2. Nightclub

Whether you want a general nightclub theme or want to recreate a world-famous club, anything is possible in a marquee. As long as it involves great lighting and special effects, LED furniture, a slick dancefloor and an uber-cool DJ.

nightclub marquee party

3. Favourite movie

Step into a marquee totally transformed into a scene from your favourite film. From the food to the decoration and props, we know how to create a real wow factor as this Back to the Future marquee party shows!

movie marquee party

4. Shakespeare

Fancy something a little more highbrow? How about a marquee party with A Midsummer Night’s Dream as its theme! Perfect for party set in a charming garden space, this party was full of magic.

shakespear marquee party

5. Gatsby

Classic literature also provides inspiration and The Great Gatsby gives plenty of scope to recreate the roaring twenties. Art Deco styling, sophisticated decoration, Charleston dancers and guests dressed in flapper dresses and top hat and tails create a perfect facsimile of the era.

Great Gatsby marquee party

6. James Bond

Marquees do indeed give us licence to thrill, so a James Bond themed party is ideal. Take inspiration from the Bond movies, transform the interior into an opulent and stylish restaurant space. Entertain guests with a virtual reality car chase and a range of casino tables. And keep the martinis coming!

Bond themed 50th decor marquee party

7. Black & white

A simple but effective theme, which works even better when guests dress up to match! For one 40th birthday party, we literally transformed the marquee interior into black and white – white for the reception area and as night fell, black for a nightclub atmosphere.

8. Hipster

From classic ideas to conjuring up a contemporary subculture, we know how to do hipster! A perfect fusion of elegance and rustic creates a stylish vintage vibe.

Hipster marquee party

9. Vegas

Conjuring up the gaudy glitz and glamour of Vegas means taking inspiration from the city’s iconic hotels and casinos. Plush drapes, rich colours, lots of lighting effects, a cocktail bar, club lounge and, naturally, the all-important casino tables – we created an exclusive VIP experience in this particular marquee.

luxury vegas themed marquee 18th party red decor

10. Outside inside

Whilst many of the marquee party theme ideas we’ve mentioned focus on disguising the marquee itself, there’s also a very good argument for making it integral to the party itself. It’s in your garden, a space you may be very proud of so why not show it off. Open sides or clear walls make it perfectly possible and decorating with potted plants and shrubs creates a visual connection. This is exactly what we did for a combined birthday and anniversary party held in a beautifully landscaped garden.

Outside Inside marquee

Find Inspiration for your marquee party

Looking for some great ideas for your next party or event? Why not download our free Luxury Inspiration Guide? Packed with exciting ideas and images from real events designed and delivered by MGN events! Click on the image below to download your copy:

download luxury desktop - MGN Eventsdownload image mobile - MGN Events

Let MGN events help you plan the perfect party

If you’re inspired by any of these ideas, have some of your own or would like us to come up with something completely different for your own marquee party, we’d love to have a chat! Just fill in the form at the bottom of this page or call 01932 22 33 33 to speak to a member of our team.

Kat Shepherdson

IF YOU LIKED THIS, THEN YOU'LL LOVE THESE...

A collage of three images showing a wooden bar with Christmas trees behind it, a bar surrounded by tropical trees with Christmas decorations and an LED Christmas tree

Top 3 Unique Christmas Party Themes: Creative Ideas for an Unforgettable Celebration

Kat and Jamie go to the Paris 2024 Olympics!

MGN events New office 2024

MGN events relocate to prestigious Windsor base