Menu Ideas for Your 2024 Solar Eclipse Party

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible across a wide swath of the U.S. as the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun. The eclipse will cast a shadow along a path stretching from Mexico’s Pacific coast all the way up to Canada’s Atlantic coast.

A solar eclipse doesn’t happen too often. If you miss this one, the next one in this part of the world will take place in 20 years — August 2044. So, if you’re in the path of the 2024 eclipse, there's no better reason to throw a party. For most of the U.S., the eclipse will start in the late morning and last through the midafternoon. So we put together some brunch, lunch, snack, buffet, cocktail and party ideas to help you celebrate this celestial event.

First up: 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.

Homemade dips and store-bought chips make for an irresistible party board. With a variety of chip options such as tortilla, pita and salted and flavor-packed dipping choices like sweet pea guacamole and beet hummus, there's a delicious combination for every taste bud.

Celebrate the big orange ball in the sky by serving orange cream mimosas. Homemade orange cream sorbet is the base of your mimosa; top it with champagne and watch the sorbet dissolve into a sea of bubbly bliss. Get the Recipe >>

The classic black-and-white cookie is right on theme for a solar eclipse party. This recipe has a cake-like texture and is made with sweet buttercream instead of fondant icing. Get the Recipe >>

This party board is the perfect blend of savory and sweet, with all items purchased precooked or assembled in advance. Say goodbye to the stress of keeping things warm — this brunch board serves fare that is just as delicious at room temperature. Your guests can graze at their own pace, and you can watch the sky and not be chained to the kitchen.

Make it easy on yourself and prepare a big pot of soup ahead of time and then serve it in a slow cooker. This pasta e fagioli recipe from Food Network is packed with cozy ingredients, including olive oil, garlic, celery, carrots, oregano, pasta shells, white beans and fresh-grated Parmesan. Get the Recipe >>

Deviled eggs are the classic party fare, so why not dress them up to go with your solar eclipse theme? Make your eggs one of the three ways we linked to below, then place a thin slice of radish, a round piece of purple pepper or a cracker on top of the yolk to represent the moon covering the sun.

A unicorn is like an eclipse in that you may go your whole life without seeing one. Celebrate these two elusive phenomena by making unicorn cake pops. Instead of serving these cake pops on a stick, try an ice cream cone for added deliciousness and crunch. Get the Recipe >>

The weather may be chilly on April 8th, so keep your guests warm with a chili and hot dog platter. This charcuterie-style arrangement revolves around the soul-satisfying goodness of warm chili.

This hand-held version of the classic lunchtime combo makes an ideal bite for a sky-watching party. Get the Recipe >>

Your guests may get cold standing outside and looking up at the sky. Serve a big pot of hot cocoa with all the fixings, including candy, cookies and mounds of marshmallows.

A good frozen colada recipe is a must for many parties, and this nonalcoholic mango version couldn't be easier to make. Puree frozen mango chunks and add cream of coconut to create this refreshing nonalcoholic drink.

Toast is easy to nosh on while staring up at the sky. It’s also a simple and inexpensive way to feed a crowd. In the link below you’ll find 11 tasty ways to serve crostini.

Beloved by kids of all ages, this portable banana pudding served in a bag of vanilla cookies is the ideal treat for any celestial gathering. Get the Recipe >>.