25 gala theme ideas to elevate your next event

Formal galas are elegant gatherings with a purpose—and often Champagne. They can raise funds for an important cause, thank members of an organization, provide a venue for awards ceremonies, or celebrate the end of a company’s successful year. Planning a gala requires thoughtful planning, and it all starts with deciding which formal gala themes suit your cause.

There are multiple ways to begin the planning process, but it’s important to sift through different formal party themes before landing on an idea. Once you decide on a theme, the next step is finding the right invitation to send a meaningful message to your community—and Paperless Pro makes spreading the word about your event seamless.

Whether you choose formal theme ideas involving tuxedos and ball gowns or more unique gala theme ideas with beaded necklaces and boas, a concept separates your event from the rest and cuts through the noise. When you think about the event and what you want it to look like, the theme will inform how you decorate, what to add to the program’s schedule, and more.

Themes for galas can range from very specific to relatively general, depending on the type of event you’re hosting. For whichever concept you choose—whether you’re in search of classy party themes or something more casual—communicate your idea effectively with on-theme gala invitations so your guests know what to expect and how to dress. Then, pair the invitation with matching gala dinner décor to echo your theme. The last step before your event begins? Managing invitations with Paperless Pro to track RSVPs, communicate real-time event updates, and more. Let’s explore some gala theme ideas you can channel for your next business event, fundraiser, donor gala, or any other gathering that fits your organization’s needs.

1. Sparkling Champagne

Use a classic, dazzling Champagne-focused gala theme for any type of formal event.

• Food and drink: Serve plated dinners or delicate hors d’oeuvres with a few glasses of bubbly.
• Décor: Gold streamers, gold centerpieces—just gold decorations everywhere.
• Additional ideas: Give out awards for a very special appreciation night that everyone can toast to.

2. Golfing gala

Tee up for a great celebration by inviting guests to a golf-themed gala.

• Food and drink: Think golf foods—light drinks, lunch-type food, sandwiches, or iced tea.
• Décor: Decorate with lots of green, outdoorsy party goods.
• Additional ideas: Host the gala on a golf course—and auction off a free round to guests. For a special gala entertainment idea, book a golf pro as a speaker. 

Tip: If you choose to hire speakers for your event, make sure to do a run-through with your speakers!

3. Patriotic gala

Have gala guests dress in patriotic colors to honor guests who served their country, including military veterans, or to celebrate a patriotic holiday.

• Food and drink: Serve light appetizers and beer for occasions like the 4th of July. Consider including bite-sized versions of traditional foods like burgers and fries.
• Décor: Use red, white, and blue decorations for American holidays, and appropriate colors for veterans or holidays in other countries.
• Additional ideas: Have the gala outdoors for a summertime picnic feel and hire a band to play patriotic classics. 

4. A night at the disco

 

For this gala night theme, take your guests on a trip back to the 1970s and give them boogie fever in the process—complete with attire tailored to the disco era.

• Food and drink: Prepare passed appetizers and desserts reminiscent of 1970s-era motifs—such as disco ball-shaped meatballs, chocolate truffles, and fritters—and plenty of serve-yourself fondue!
• Décor: Decorate your venue with shimmering, fringed tinsel, multicolored spotlights in every corner, and of course, a disco ball.
• Additional ideas: Set up an interactive photo station where guests can take a snapshot of themselves in retro attire!

5. Black and white

Stark and dramatic, a black-and-white gala encourages guests to bring out their most sophisticated, monochrome outfits.

• Food and drink: See if you can stick to the black-and-white theme for food and drinks—think blackened salmon, vanilla cake, black-and-white cookies, and dark liquor.
• Décor: Go wild with black-and-white streamers, tablecloths, centerpieces, and balloon arches.
• Additional ideas: Use a chessboard as inspiration and incorporate chess imagery throughout your invitation and decorations.

6. Holiday gala

Nothing says “holiday” like dressing up, gathering with your guests, and enjoying delicious food. If your organization is unsure which fundraiser gala themes will yield optimal engagement, donors may channel their utmost giving spirit during the holiday season!

• Food and drink: Serve traditional holiday food and drinks such as roast beef, glazed ham, and spiced cider.
• Décor: If you’re going for a Christmas holiday gala, bring out the red and green. For other winter holidays, use appropriate color palettes in your decorations.
• Additional ideas: Introduce a white elephant party to liven up your holiday event.

7. Tastes from around the world

What better way to celebrate community than by compiling numerous cultures from around the world and spotlighting what makes them so special? This gala theme is perfect for a gala hosting honorees from different corners of the world.

• Food and drink: Guest-specific cuisines from all over the globe. Think birria from Mexico and spaetzle from Germany—and everywhere else in between!
• Décor: Dress the venue walls with flags from multiple nations and other international motifs that suit your guest list.
• Additional ideas: Encourage guests to “visit” a nation they aren’t familiar with (aka try a new dish).

8. Mardi Gras gala

You don’t have to live in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras—but it helps. Bring the festivities of Bourbon Street to your fundraising event or appreciation gala, instead.

• Food and drink: King crabs, jambalaya, beignets, and mint juleps provide the perfect Mardi Gras vibe.
• Décor: Beads, feathers, and lots of colors—it’s party time!
• Additional ideas: Host the event around or on Mardi Gras for added excitement. Hire a jazz band to set the tone.

9. Tropical party

Put on a lei, slip on your nicest sandals, and host a tropical gala that brings island celebrations home.

• Food and drink: Serve island fare as passed appetizers or plated meals, coupled with tropical drinks.
• Décor: Think tiki torches, grass streamers, and leis for all your guests.
• Additional ideas: Rent a beachside venue and string up romantic lights to illuminate the sea. Consider adding a pig roast to make it feel extra tropical. 

10. Casino night

 

Lady Luck is your plus-one when you host a casino night gala. It’s the perfect idea for a fundraiser where all the house’s winnings can go towards your cause.

• Food and drink: Serve passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails so guests can spend more time at the casino tables. 
• Décor: Go all-out Vegas for this one, or just focus on casino themes—cards, poker tables, and chips.
• Additional ideas: Host a silent auction to encourage more risk-averse guests to join in the fun. Print customized poker chips for the event as a special treat. 

11. Masquerade gala

If you’re looking for formal black-tie ball themes, a masquerade ball feels delightfully elegant and exciting. Provide fancy masks for guests—or have them bring their own—for a night of intrigue.

• Food and drink: Serve plated dinners or a buffet-style meal for guests to socialize at the table.
• Décor: Bring the mask theme into the gala decorations, lace and all.
• Additional ideas: Encourage guests to dress up in ball gowns and tuxedos for even more vintage fun. Or make it a costume night to match the masks. 

12. Hollywood red carpet

Ready, set, action! A Hollywood gala makes everyone feel like a star, so it’s a perfect theme for an awards ball or appreciation banquet.

• Food and drink: Think Los Angeles fusion here: sushi and cocktails, or even a street taco truck.
• Décor: Roll out the red carpet—literally—and decorate with gold awards and black movie reels.
• Additional ideas: Rent a photo booth as a pleasant alternative to Hollywood paparazzi.

13. Secret garden

A garden gala makes a formal event feel like a sweet, romantic evening.

• Food and drink: Plan a meal straight from the garden, with salad, fruity drinks, and roasted vegetables.
• Décor: Lots of green leaves and colorful flowers will bring the garden vibe to your event.
• Additional ideas: Host the gala in an outdoor space, such as a botanical garden or a patio venue.

14. Medieval castle

 

Every guest can be a king or queen when you host a medieval gala.

• Food and drink: Roasted chicken, turkey legs, and dark beer or mead will make your event feel like it took place 700 years ago.
• Décor: Castle decorations—think swords, shields, suits of armor, and dragons.
• Additional ideas: “Crown” a king and/or queen of the event—especially if your gala has a guest of honor.

15. Fiesta

Who cares if it’s not Taco Tuesday? Everyone will be quick to RSVP to a fiesta gala, no matter what day of the week it is.

• Food and drink: Serve a lot of Mexican food—plated dishes or buffet-style—and don’t forget the flan and churros.
• Décor: Smaller events can focus on a single-serve “taco” vibe, while larger, upscale events can incorporate the Mexican flag and its colors into their décor.
• Additional ideas: Hire a Mariachi band to set the fiesta mood.

16. Sports night

Baseball, soccer, football, or basketball—no matter the sports season, you can find a great gala idea.

• Food and drink: Find a fancy way to serve game food, such as nachos, beer, hot dogs, and chips.
• Décor: Use the current seasonal sport—or a local favorite team—to inspire your decorations.
• Additional ideas: Rent out a local stadium or court to host the gala. Hire a sports pro as a surprise speaker. 

17. Diamonds and denim

Sometimes called “Boots and Bowties,” this unique gala idea combines cowboy gear with a little bit of city glitz.

• Food and drink: Serve steak and potatoes alongside a traditional host bar.
• Décor: Cowboy hats and diamond necklaces. Need we say more?
• Additional ideas: Call out a line dance during the gala to get those boots scootin’.

18. Anchors aweigh

A nautical gala can take place on a ship, a harbor, or miles inland. What matters more than the location is the blue-and-white sailor attire.

• Food and drink: Seafood, served as either appetizers or seated plates.
• Décor: Use lots of anchors, ships, and blue-and-white décor.
• Additional ideas: Auction off a cruise for guests to bid on either a silent or live auction.

19. A gala in the jungle

Channel the misty rainforest for a wild time your gala guests will remember. While this gala theme can be used for any cause, a wildlife benefit might hit the nail on the head.

• Food and drink: Garnish passed bites with edible flowers and lean into the wildness with grilled skewers.
• Décor: Dress your appetizer platters in giant leaves to lean into the wild décor. Have plants all around the venue to transport guests to a jungle escape.
• Additional ideas: Encourage guests to arrive in (faux) animal print!

20. Winter wonderland

Whether there’s 10 feet of snow outside or not a snowflake in sight, celebrate an important event with a winter wonderland gala.

• Food and drink: Lots of warm foods and drinks, like hot cocoa and buttered rum.
• Décor: Create your own winter wonderland with pure white décor, from tablecloths to chair covers to wall coverings.
• Additional ideas: Host the gala at a local ice rink or ski lodge.

21. Jazz speakeasy

 

Let’s travel back in time to the Prohibition era—low-lit rooms, hush-hush mingling, and the understanding that we’re all here for a good time.

• Food and drink: Have bar snacks at every table—peanuts, cashews, the like—paired with other passed bites such as deviled eggs and vintage canapés.
• Décor: Go with darker colors—black, dark red, dark blue—to match an underground speakeasy mood.
• Additional ideas: Include a secret password on your invitation to set the tone for the night.

22. Science night

You don’t have to be a kid (or a scientist) to love science. If your organization is raising funds for or thanking members of a science museum, experiment with a science night gala.

• Food and drink: Serve small plates with creative cocktails—extra points if they’re fizzy, foamy, or otherwise scientific.
• Décor: Use metallics and dark colors to add an air of sophistication and technology to the evening. 
• Additional ideas: Bring in local scientists or grad students to perform chemistry or physics experiments as entertainment.

23. Under the stars

Incorporate some outdoor time into your event so guests can take a much-needed break from a crowded room with additional cosmos-themed activities. 

• Food and drink: Find upscale versions of traditional camp food, such as roasted trout or deconstructed hamburgers, to serve as appetizers or plated dishes.
• Décor: More formal events can focus on glittering stars and rolling hills, with plenty of comfortable seating for stargazing.
• Additional ideas: Invite astronomers to set up telescopes for guests’ viewing pleasure. 

24. A night in Paris

Planning a gala in Paris may be the dream, but if it’s outside your organization’s budget, bring Paris to you instead.

• Food and drink: French cuisine all the way—croissants, coq au vin, quiche Lorraine—and of course, a selection of French wines and cheeses.
• Décor: Channel a Parisian café with fresh flowers, pastel colors, and Eiffel Towers galore.
• Additional ideas: Offer a trip to Paris as the main prize in a silent or live auction.

25. New York, New York

This city might be so nice that they named it twice, but it’s no match for the shindig you’re about to throw.

• Food and drink: Go for a fancy take on New York-style pizza or steak as hors d’oeuvres or plated dishes. For drinks, it’s mixed cocktails. Extra points for Long Island Iced Teas, Manhattans, or apple flavors for the Big Apple.
• Décor: Colors can include silver, green, and black to match famous New York landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty or the Chrysler Building. 
• Additional ideas: Offer a trip to NYC as the main prize in a silent or live auction.

Gala invitation ideas

 

Gala invitations should match your gala theme idea and get guests excited to attend. Whether you want a classic and simple message or corporate invitation wording, we have just the right gala invitation examples for your event. Plus, you can create your own Shareable Link, customize the invitation with your logo, and easily add Guest Tags to keep your guest list organized. And with a Paperless Pro subscription, you’ll unlock full access to our intuitive suite of design features and tools for all your professional events.

Good invitations capitalize on simplicity. Include the event name, venue details, date, and time. All other important information, such as dress code or transportation details, can be communicated using Blocks. This versatile Paperless Pro feature helps you share additional information without cluttering your invitation. Utilize a Speakers Block to share special guests, or a Sponsors Block to showcase partners and their logos. Each Block sits directly under your invitation on its event page, ensuring your invitation’s readability isn’t compromised, while still letting guests know all the can’t-miss details. It’s never been easier to send sophisticated, professional invitations that hit every mark.

Tips for planning a gala

Event planning is exciting, but it requires exceptional attention to detail. Event organizers have to focus on creating and sticking to event budgets, straightening out a timeline, marketing the event, and thanking everyone afterward.

Always reserve more time than you think you need for planning your gala. The last two months leading up to your formal event will feel hectic no matter how much preparation went into the gala, and that’s completely normal. What matters most is having everything you need in one place—and with Paperless Pro, easy event marketing and simple guest list management tools help to alleviate any complications.

Choose the right gala theme for your audience

Of course, not every gala needs to be a formal affair. Whether it’s passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks for a recently graduated group of university alumni or a formal sit-down dinner for dedicated donors, it’s up to you to decide the level of formality that fits the occasion.

Assess your organization, its needs, capabilities, and preferences. Don’t plan a black-tie affair for a product launch if employees typically come to work in jeans and T-shirts. Likewise, some themed galas may be too casual if the purpose is to thank donors for very generous contributions. Depending on the occasion, you might opt for fancy party themes like “A Night in Paris” or “Under the Stars” rather than “Sports Night” or “Fiesta”.

Give yourself a buffer

Ideally, galas and other large events have a long enough planning timeline to cover every detail. But there will always be something you didn’t plan for—and that’s where the buffer comes in. Finalize your RSVPs at least a week before your gala if your venue allows it. Leave a few open spots for guests who might not have sent an RSVP but show up at your venue’s door. 

Tip: For catered events, consider establishing a 10-guest meal buffer if it’s in your budget. This ensures anticipated non-RSVP guests have a bite to eat as well.

Build an event schedule

When you’re planning any formal gala, it’s important to ensure your guests have a balanced event experience. Build a program that carves out time for a cocktail hour, sit-down meals, and special speakers without overloading your attendees. With Paperless Pro, you can add a Schedule Block to any invitation—this lets you provide guests with a detailed timeline of what to expect. During the event, don’t forget to set aside time in your program specifically for networking and mingling so your guests can take a beat and still enjoy themselves!

Market your event

Sending invitations ensures that guests make it to the door—most of the time. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should solely rely on them, though. Word of mouth is an underrated, powerful tool in event planning and marketing. Raise awareness in board meetings, at coffee chats, and in your company’s communal kitchen. Spread the word!

But what about events where raising awareness leads to more donations? Choose event marketing strategies that spread awareness and pique donors’ interest. 

Thank donors right after the event

Your event went off without a hitch—congratulations! But now isn’t the time to kick back and enjoy your success. Take a moment to send thank you cards to guests and donors right after the gala. With your event fresh in their minds, follow-ups make all the difference.

Set goals for next year

The final task after a gala is to reflect on it. How well did it go? What would you do differently next year? How can you measure success? Set a meeting with stakeholders. Get into the metrics and examine what went well and where you can grow based on what you expected going into the event. Apply those findings to your next gala or fundraiser, and your organization will be thanking you for all the preparation you’ve done.

Plan your gala with Paperless Pro

Leaning into a fun, specific theme ensures your gala will be an event to remember. When you cut through the noise of run-of-the-mill formal events, your guests will take note.

With Paperless Pro, you have all the tools you need to plan memorable, impactful events as efficiently as possible. From choosing the invitation that matches your gala theme to creating a custom URL and tracking RSVPs, our invitations make the complicated parts of gala planning a piece of cake. Discover all the features that make Paperless Pro the one-stop shop for event planning, from fundraisers to gala dinners and every event in between.