How to Host a Stellar Solar Eclipse Party
Find decorating ideas, crafts and souvenirs to help celebrate the 2024 "solar-bration."
April 8th plays host to what has been dubbed the celestial event of 2024: a total solar eclipse. This sounds like a solid-enough excuse to host a themed party, yes? Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need to host a stellar, celestial shindig for your friends and family.
Getty Images/ Arya Manggala
Send Out Solar Stationery
Spread the word, and set the tone of your party with festive celestial invitations. This playful design includes the sky’s two MVPs against a navy backdrop and is finished with a cheeky proposition in a calligraphy-inspired script. The invites print to 5 x 7 inches and the customizable template is ultra inexpensive at under two dollars.
Cast a Glow
If you’re searching for party decor that doubles as a chic celestial nightlight for your kid’s room or ambient after-hours lighting for your eclectic workspace, you’ve found it. The Lit Acrylic Moon from West Elm serves as a natural focal point for the wall behind your solar eclipse party snack spread or bar cart. The celestial statement piece measures 20 inches in diameter, features long-lasting LED bulbs, and dims and brightens to suit the occasion.
DIY Moon Lamp 01:44
Transform a lighting globe into a chic moon lamp using paint and copper pipe.
Snack on Solar Eclipse Cookies
Give your guests a sweet treat upon arrival with a platter of these pretty, predecorated sugar cookies from Logo Cookie Shop. The cookies come individually wrapped to ensure freshness for 14 days and feature four unique motifs to celebrate the occasion. Grab the groovy cookies in half- or full-dozen batches.
Menu Ideas for a Solar Eclipse Party 15 Photos
Find solar eclipse party fare including lunch, brunch, potluck ideas, snack recipes, cocktails and sweets.
Illuminate Your Tables
Cast your guests in flattering moonlight with the help of these gorgeous LED globe lamps from Amazon. The luminous orb boasts a gold mercury-glass shade brightened by radiant LED bulbs. Bonus: This moon-inspired fixture is battery-operated (read: cordless!) and available in three sizes. Grab one globe in each size to create a balanced centerpiece on your table, or invest in several to scatter throughout your event space.
Sip in Style
Gear up for the (celestial) blackout by stocking your bar cart with these playful frosted party cups. The reusable cups are available in several cheeky designs and double as a crowd-pleasing party favor. Choose from five sizes and quantities ranging from 25 to 500 cups.
Bundle Up
Don’t let chilly April temps keep you from enjoying this twice-in-a-lifetime event. Mark the occasion and stay warm with the help of this vibrant knit blanket. Each blanket shows a map of the United States adorned with a shadow to mark the path of darkness. Red, pink, orange, green and blue stripes and lettering create a whimsical backdrop to the states, and fringe trim adds a soft texture to the design.
Add Ambiance to Your Pool
Don’t miss an opportunity to dress your swimming pool for the celestial event of the year. Snag these floating moon luminaries to light up the darkness and create an otherworldly appeal in your outdoor entertaining space. The full moon lights are available solo, in pairs or in a set of four. Bonus: The floating solar-powered orbs are easily adjusted from warm or cool light to suit your needs.
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Whether you’re installing a new pool or looking to update your old lighting, we’ve got ideas for illuminating around and inside your swimming pool.
Throw On a Solar Eclipse Tee
Nothing quite spells “event of the season” like matching T-shirts, agreed? If you’re going that route, grab these gorgeous black-and-gold eclipse tees for your whole fam. The deco-inspired motif features a crescent moon, sun, stars and constellations against your choice of four T-shirt colors: white, natural, sand or sport gray. The best part? These tees come in inclusive sizes ranging from size small to 3XL. Obsessed.
Or, Cozy-Up in an Eclipse Sweatshirt
Remember the solar eclipse in 2017? Commemorate the twice-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse experience with this cozy embroidered sweatshirt. It’s available in 13 colors to complement your style and inclusive sizes ranging from small to 5XL.
Twinkle, Twinkle
Brian Patrick Flynn
A great event starts with great ambiance, right? Add some twinkle to the moody darkness with Moravian stars dangling from your trees. I challenge you to find lighting more appropriate for the occasion than the glowing luminaries pictured here.
Lunar Backdrop
Set the stage for IG posts, galore! This gilded, moon-phase garland does just the trick and is sure to get guests all the likes for their inevitable solar-party post. Copy this look, and fasten something similar against a white wall or a deep, dark background for contrast.
Serve Starry Sweets
Bring out the Christmas cookie cutters, and use our recipe to create star-powered sugar cookies. Coat ‘em with white and yellow, or go bold with rich blue and purple icing, inspired by the galaxy. Either way, silver and gold sprinkles are a must.
Galaxy Kicks
Make the most of those old sneakers sitting in the back of your closet by giving them a star-studded makeover. These could also double as a fun craft for guests!
DIY Galaxy-Print Sneakers 05:37
Learn how to take plain white canvas sneakers and turn them into galaxy shoes using Sharpies and a few other household items.
Shimmery Liqueur
Shimmer like the stars with this glam, galaxy-inspired cocktail recipe. The moody cobalt color is perfect for the eclipse, but you can use food coloring to create a variety of celestial shades.
DIY Shimmery Liqueurs 02:12
Turn cocktails into shimmering drinks of beauty with colorful liqueurs and edible pearl dust.
Little Lunar Touches
Play up this celestial situation with loads of lunar decor! This star-spangled moon tea towel is a simple (and inexpensive!) way to set the tone for the event. Bonus? It’s so pretty, you’ll want to keep it around after the party, too!
Galaxy Lush-Slush
Liz Gray
Sip and see, or slush and see? We say both! Combine red wine, tequila and blackberry brandy for a frozen concoction that will take you to a totally new dimension.
Boozy Galaxy Slush 01:58
Layer cucumber-lime and red wine-blackberry mixes to give this boozy slush a trendy galaxy color swirl.
Set a Starry Scene
Areeba Adnan
Adorn your fireplace, stair railing or bookshelves with eye-catching celestial garland. Our mystical salt-dough moon and stars garland are easy to make in one afternoon. Plus, you can repurpose your crafty creation for winter holiday decor for years.
Decorate the Mantel With This Easy Salt Dough Moon and Stars Garland
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Light Up the Night
Break through the total solar eclipse darkness with the help of a tabletop fire pit a la the top-rated Solo Stove Mesa. The sleek design looks stunning on any table, emits minimal smoke and is food-safe. In other words? Have your s’mores supplies at the ready, friend.
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