A circus-themed party is a magical way to celebrate a variety of events, from an adult's birthday to an anniversary or even a wedding. Make your guests feel as if they were at the greatest show on earth by creating a multisensory experience with colorful decoration, vintage circus music, the smell of fresh popcorn and food that transports your guests right under the big top.
1) Giant CIRCUS Sign
For a circus-themed event, one of the main TO-DOs would be a giant illuminated CIRCUS sign at the entrance to start decorating and create the circus feeling for the event.
2) Circus-Themed Invitations
Create an invitation that looks like a show ticket to set the mood for your circus party. List all the relevant information and mail the invitations three or four weeks in advance, or six to eight weeks if it is a wedding. Asking guests to dress to the theme, whether as a ringmaster, a clown or a sequined trapeze artist, will add to the drama and excitement of your party. You can use old circus sayings such as "Ladies and gentlemen" or "Step right up" on your invitation to evoke even more of the feel of a circus show.
3) Circus Games for Entertainment
One of the main factors in the success of a themed event is having circus-related games and activities. Besides entertaining your guests, they will dress up the whole event and add value to it. Some of the games you could include are the following,
- Strongman hammer game
- Circus-Themed Batak
- Zoltar Machine
- Foosball Tables and Dart Machines
- Giant inflatable darts
- Retro games like arcades and pinballs
- Minigolf
- Ball Pit
- Claw machines
4) Entertainment and Shows for the Circus
If your budget allows, hire performers such as a fire-eating fakir, gymnasts, fire stilt walkers, a juggler and clowns who can make balloon animals to make an impact at different stages of the event. We can plan different artist ideas that put the emphasis on different points of the event timeline, for example.
We can also create a mix between the performers and the catering, serving each guest their food with the living tables or the wine dresses, which will give a touch of originality to our circus-themed event.
5) Under the big top
A red-and-white striped tent set up in your backyard is the perfect place for your circus-themed evening. If hosting your event outdoors isn't an option, improvise by placing a striped fabric in the center of your ceiling and draping it outward to meet the walls, creating a big-top feel. Use clusters of helium-filled balloons tied with ribbon on the tables as centerpieces. To add to the overall statement of bright colors, use brightly colored tablecloths, napkins and trays
6) Set up a Themed Mirror Photo Booth
Hire a mirror photo booth by placing a camera with a self-timer on a tripod in front of a large circus-themed poster. Keep fun props on hand such as top hats, red clown noses and bright feather boas so guests can create a photo keepsake.
7) Carnival Catering
Bring authenticity to your adventure by serving food that's straight from the midway. Hire a popcorn machine and serve freshly made popcorn in striped boxes.
Also a perfect fit are cotton candy carts with themed staff, which will give the event a very carnival touch.
Candy apples are easy to make at home by combining brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a saucepan and bringing it to a boil. When a candy thermometer reads 248 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the pot from the stove and add the condensed milk and a little vanilla. Dip your apples in the mixture and then roll them in chopped nuts. Let the treats cool on parchment paper before serving. To make tasty mini corn dogs on a stick, wrap cocktail sausages with refrigerated croissant dough. Bake these in the oven until the dough is golden. Insert a stick into one end of the cooked dog and serve with a variety of condiments such as yellow mustard, ketchup and pickle relish.
8) Vibrant Cocktails
Serve a variety of delicious cocktails to complement your multicolored decor. A blue lemon drop is made by mixing two parts vodka with one part blue Curaçao orange liqueur. Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice to mix. Strain into sugar-rimmed martini glasses and garnish with a lemon slice. A green apple martini is made by mixing vodka with apple liqueur and a splash of sweet and sour mix. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a green apple slice. To make a cosmopolitan, mix vodka, orange liqueur, a splash of cranberry juice and a little fresh lime juice. Shake over ice and strain into a cocktail glass garnished with a lemon slice. Complete your drinks setup with non-alcoholic drinks such as bottled water and spicy pink lemonade.
