Neon Party - The Complete Guide

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Ultimate Neon Party Guide

Welcome to the complete party guide for neon parties! Here at Party GOAT we are the specialists in how to throw the most epic neon parties and have compiled a complete guide on everything that you need to know when hosting a neon party to make it the Greatest Of All Time. We cover a wide variety of neon party specific topics, answering questions such as; What is a neon party, what are the best neon party theme ideas, which are the best black lights to use, neon party decoration and outfit ideas, neon glow in the dark party games for adults and kids, and we have even got trialed and tested information on what food and drinks will glow at a neon party. 

We encourage you to use this complete neon party guide as a detailed check list when planning your epic neon glow party event!

What is a neon party?

A neon party is a vividly colorful party theme where neon colors, decorations and outfits are used, which illuminate brightly under UV black lights, creating an eye catching spectacle for the party guests.

A neon party can also be referred to as a glow in the dark party. These two themes are typically the same thing. You can have a glow in the dark party or a neon party without using black lights of course, however the visual effect will be much less. A neon party theme is extremely popular with not only the kids and teens, but also adults. It offers a wide range of fun opportunities to enhance the party vibe through creative neon ideas and activities, which we discuss in more detail throughout this complete neon party guide. 

What are the best UV black lights for neon parties?

The most important thing that you will need for your neon party are high quality UV black lights. The LED black lights in the Glowave Black Light kit are the way to go! These powerful and energy efficient black lights come in a compact box, that contains 4 long length LED black light strips. These strips are designed specially for neon parties and allow you to have one black light on each wall, which will surround the party in UV light. This ensures the neon colors will glow super bright from all directions. Whether your neon party is for a birthday, Halloween, bucks, hens or even wedding, Glowave Black Light kits are what you need!

Buy your Glowave Black Light kit below or if you are having a party in a large space, such as a school hall or gymnasium and are unsure how many lights you need, click here to find out how many black lights you need for your party.

Buy UV black lights

Neon Party Supplies

Best Black Lights for Neon Parties

What are the best decorations for a neon party?

There are a wide range of bright neon party decorations that are guaranteed to transform your neon party space into a visual feast! 

Paper party decorations work really well as fluorescent paper products always shine bright underneath black lights. These awesome neon party decorations can include; dots and star shaped garland that can be hung up on walls, suspended from ceilings, hung along tables and bars or even cut off their strings and used as fun wall art or food decorations. You can purchase Happy Birthday, Glow Party and Let's Party themed hanging wall signs that can also be displayed on walls, or along tables and bars.  

At Party GOAT we have amazing peace and flower neon colored shapes, ranging in a few different sizes to cater for those party goers looking to have a "groovy" 1960's or disco themed glow party.

Neon UV color Powder

At Party GOAT we have a unique package of neon color powders that glow underneath UV black lights. These vibrant colors are perfect for daytime or nighttime event. They can be used in color runs, color parties or color wars. Cover yourself and your party guests in bright colors and watch the colors explode with vibrancy underneath UV light.

Buy Color Powder

Where to have a neon party?

Neon parties are best suited for night time events and need to be set up in dark rooms or areas with little to no natural light. 

Typically, setting up your neon party indoors is the best option for maximum effect with the UV black lights. Areas such as lounge rooms, garages and sheds are ideal locations. You are however, able to have a neon party outdoors. Just be mindful of the amount of light that can reflect from the moon or even street lights, as this will drown out the UV black light effect on the neon colors.

Neon Party Decorations

How do I decorate a neon party?

When decorating a neon party, it is all about bright fluorescent colors that will illuminate under UV black lights. The more neon fluorescent colored items in the party space, the greater the effect these colors will have under the black lights and the more impressive your party area will look. 

To help you along the way with setting up decorations for your neon party, we have outlined below some helpful decorating tips and tricks for you to follow below.

Neon party ideas

  • Surround the neon party area in UV black lights. For maximum effect, we recommend the Glowave Black Light kits.
  • Every neon party needs a disco dance floor. Check out how to create an illuminated disco dance floor.
  • Make party posters using neon paints and brightly colored highlighter pens. Use a black background for these to make the neon colors pop.
  • Hang fluorescent paper products around the walls and from the ceiling - such as neon bunting, neon decorative shapes, or happy birthday and other party word banners.
  • Hang a large piece of fluorescent wall art as a back drop. This will really enhance the visual effects of your neon party space.
  • Place UV reacting fluorescent balloons, or light up LED balloons around the area and hang up in bunches in the corners of the room.
  • Buy UV reacting cups and plates, or use neon sticker dots or glow stick bracelets to decorate your normal cups and plates.
  • Use neon fluorescent colored napkins and cutlery and cover your furniture (table and chairs) in bright neon colored fabric.
  • Create a neon make up, color powder and paint station where you can decorate your party guests with neon paints, UV color powder or highlighter pens.
  • Hand out lots of glowing party favors such as glow stick glasses, necklaces, hats, neon colored wigs and even light up rings for your guests to wear.

What do I wear to a neon party?

It is quite common for people to be unsure on what to wear to a neon party, as it typically isn't an every day occurrence attending such event. 

To help guide you along the way and to piece together an awesome neon party outfit, we have outlined a list of helpful fashion tips and suggested outfit ideas to have you glowing brightly under the UV black lights all night long!

1. Colors that glow the best under UV black lights are - White and fluorescent colors such as; green, pink, orange and yellow.

2. Accessorize - If you are finding it hard to find items of clothing that really glow, accessorize with some fun items such as; neon colored wigs, gloves, hats, socks, suspenders and tights. You can also accessorize with glow in the dark neon party favors such as glow stick necklaces, bracelets, glasses.

3. Neon make up, body paint and UV powders - Having your face and body painted in neon colors is a great way to glow under black lights and is a fun addition to your awesome neon party outfit. You can also try covering your hair or clothes in neon color powder or slick here for some blacklight make up ideas. Highlighter or invisible ink pens are also a great way to decorate your guests and creative temproray glowing tatoos. 

Neon party theme ideas

Outlined below are some great neon party theme ideas to add that extra level of fun! 

Step back in time with peace and love for a 1960's neon party, drag out your spandex and leg warmers for a hilarious 1980's neon party, or get groovy with a neon disco party. Each of these unique and fun neon party theme ideas have their own different decoration and outfit ideas which we have outlined below. Click on the links to learn how to throw your own decade specific neon party by using the awesome Glowave Black Light kits.

Neon Party Invitations

If you want to get crafty and make your own invitations, we recommend you make these on a black background and use bright neon colors to really make the invitations pop. If your budget allows for this, you can create neon glow in the dark invitations, with hidden messages using invisible ink pens. Enclose a small black light flashlight for your party guests to use when reading the invite. The hidden messages will magically appear under the black light. This will not only delight your party guest, but really embeds the awesome neon party theme that you have chosen. Get creative! Guest can also use the black light flashlight to help them choose which neon party outfits to wear by seeing what glows best under the UV light. 

Halloween Glow Party

A neon glow party theme is perfect for Halloween and will cast an eerie glow on all your spooky neon halloween decorations. 

Watch the video below for some awesome DIY neon Halloween decoration ideas that are sure to "WOW" and scare your party guests!

Halloween decorating ideas with black lights

Neon Party Drinks

There are a handful of drinks that will glow underneath black lights making them perfect for a neon party.

Energy drinks such as monster engery often glow under UV light. Milk will glow a blueish color. Tonic water will glow a light blue color. You can also add dissolvable vitamin B tablets to your drinks to make them glow.

Drinks that glow video

Food ideas for a neon party

While there are some food that glow underneath black lights the effect is generally not that great. Rather than try to serve glowing food we would recommend simply decorating the food and table with neon colored paper decorations and cake toppers etc.

Neon Party Games

Get creative coming up with colorful games to play. For example, you could make your own twister mat by painting large circles on a sheet of plastic with fluorescent paints. You could use neon tape to create glowing targets for beanbag toss games. Or use neon cups and balls, or clear cups with glowing drinks in them for games of glowing beer pong.

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