A Y2K themed party is a chance to embrace the bold fashion, catchy music, and all the early 2000s fun. Thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms, Y2K music and fashion are trending again, so teens are loving it even though they didn’t experience it themselves. Many of their parents did experience Y2K, so it’s a fun party to plan together.
When done right, this party theme is tons of fun. We’ve put together the best guide to make your Y2K party a success.
What Is a Y2K Party?
A Y2K party is inspired by the flashy fashion, pop music, iconic movies, and overall lifestyle of the early 2000s. This was during the rise of the internet and new technology, like flip phones and AIM (AOL instant messenger). It has become a popular birthday party theme for teens, and they’ve already adopted some of the Y2K fashion trends, making it easy to go all out.
What to Wear to a Y2K Party
Y2K fashion still had some 90s style influences, but fashion was shifting. The aesthetic became more futuristic and shiny, with metallics, holographics, glitter, and sparkles, but kept the playfulness and bright colors of the 90s.
You can dress like early 2000s icons like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Destiny’s Child, or someone from a classic Y2K movie like Mean Girls and Bring It On. If you’d rather skip costume shopping, you may already have something in your closet since Y2K fashion is popular again today.
Here are a few outfits to get you started:
Y2K outfits for girls
Depending on the style you’re going for, girls can dress up for a Y2K party wearing:
- Low-rise jeans
- Crop tops
- A miniskirt
- A skirt over pants
- A jersey dress
- Velour tracksuit (Juicy Couture style)
Y2K party outfits for boys
A boy’s outfit for a Y2K themed party could include some of the following:
- Baggy jeans
- A graphic t-shirt
- Cargo pants
- A matching tracksuit
- Oversized jersey
- Timberlands
Fashion trends and accessories
Accessories can really make or break your outfit! Some accessory ideas for a Y2K party could include:
- Tiny sunglasses
- Chunky sneakers or platform sandals
- Puka shell necklaces
- Denim on denim
- Chokers and hoop earrings
- A shoulder bag
- Newsboys hats
- Belts
Hair and Makeup for a Y2K Party
Hair and makeup were a bold part of the earls 2000s. Butterfly clips were popular, especially when used to pull back small sections of hair. Lip gloss, glittery makeup, blue eyeshadow, and crimped hair were also everywhere.
@teabby highly requested y2k hair tutorials! <3 TYSM FOR 475k ILY ALL (‘: #2000s #mystyle #y2k
Boy hairstyles included spikey hair, and frosted tips. Trucker hats were also popular, so it’s a good option if you can’t style your hair in a Y2K fashion.
Music From the Early 2000s
Luckily, making playlists now is much easier than it was back in the early 2000s! Platforms like Spotify and YouTube already have Y2K playlists, so you can pick your favorite and hook it up to a speaker.
If you want to create a custom Y2K playlist, some songs to start with include:
- “Oops!… I Did It Again” – Britney Spears
- “Bye Bye Bye” – *NSYNC
- “Hollaback Girl” – Gwen Stefani
- “Hot in Herre” – Nelly
- “Get The Party Started” – Pink
- “Sk8er Boi” – Avril Lavigne
- “In Da Club” – 50 Cent
Food and Drinks
Food for a Y2K party should highlight fun and nostalgic favorites of the early 2000s. Try to make it fun and easy to grab, so you don’t have to do too much prep or serving. Consider dinner options if it’s a sleepover party for teens.
Y2K Party Food Ideas
Finger foods are perfect for teen parties, and there are plenty of Y2K classics to choose from. Start with simple and nostalgic favorites like:
- Doritos
- Pizza rolls
- Bagel bites
Y2K Sweet Treats
Every good party needs to include sweet treats! When it is time to bust out the desserts, you might want to have:
- Gushers
- Fruit roll-ups
- Twinkies
- Pop tarts
- Cosmic brownies
- Dunkaroos
Drinks
You’ll also need drinks for when your guests get thirsty, so think something like:
- Capri sun
- Fruit Punch
- Kool-aid Jammers
- Hi-C
- Y2K Mocktails
Y2K Theme Party Decorations
Good Y2K decorations will make the space feel like you’re in an early 2000s teen movie. Hang metallic or glittery streamers, balloons, and beaded curtains. Then, plug in some lava lamps and put out inflatable chairs that work as both decor and extra seating. Hanging posters of Y2K celebrities is also an easy and effective way to set the scene, so check your old collection or look at thrift stores for old magazines.
You can string together old CDs – either buy blank ones or visit a local thrift shop — to hang on the walls or from the ceiling. A rotating disco ball would set the look over the top. You’ll also want to add some butterflies throughout the party space, and bonus points if you have bedazzled flip phones to use as decor.
Games and Activities for a Y2K Party
Plan popular games and activities from Y2K to keep everyone having fun and fully embrace the early 2000’s. When you’re not dancing to Y2K music or watching movies from the early 2000s, you can set up plenty for guests to do.
Y2K party games
- Dance Dance Revolution
- Guitar Hero
- Apples to Apples
- Scene It? (movie trivia game)
- Bop It
Y2K party activities
- Karaoke
- Y2K trivia
- A photo booth with a point-and-shoot camera
- Watch movies from the early 2000s
- Personality quizzes
- Makeovers
Party Themes for Y2K Parties
If you want to hone in on one aspect of Y2K, you can narrow your theme to something like:
- Y2K Hip-hop vibes
- “American Idol”
- “Mean Girls”
- Pop princesses
- Reality TV throwback
- Y2K movies
Party Favors for a Y2K Party
Thank guests for coming by sending them home with a Y2K-inspired goodie bag. Some ideas include:
- A burned CD with a 2000s playlist
- Ring Pops or airheads
- Sunglasses
- Flip phone keychain
- Beaded bracelets or chokers
- Butterfly hair clips or lip gloss