How to Host a Masquerade Party

Co-authored by Natasha Miller

Last Updated: February 18, 2023 References

Hosting a masquerade party can be a great way to help your friends let loose and have some fun during a night of mystery and intrigue. If you want to be a good host, then you have to figure out every little detail – like the venues, the food, the music, and, of course, what costume you'll be wearing. Once you have all that ironed out, all you have to do is put a big smile on your face and make sure that your guests are having a great time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Incorporating the Masquerade Theme

1
Pick a theme. Consider what theme you want so that you can inform your guests. For a masquerade party, you’ll need a fun theme that everyone can adhere to. This is also a fun element of the party that will help get your guests more engaged and excited ahead of time.^{[1]
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- You could include a color theme where everyone has to dress in the same colors (like black and white).
- You could also choose a Mardi Gras theme for a more casual, relaxed party.
2
Pick out your outfit. Since it's a masquerade party, of course you're going to have to wear a mask. If you're a guy, pick out a tuxedo, dress pants, or something else dressy and a hand mask. If you're a lady, choose a fancy dress and a strap-on sparkly mask.^{[2]
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- Make sure you dress according to your chosen theme.
- You can also include fun masquerade accessories like some flashy jewelry or heavy eye makeup (that can be seen while wearing your mask).
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3
Decorate accordingly. The decorations make the party. Include little masquerade details everywhere – like candlesticks in elegant candleholders (used safely, of course), glitter on some of the tables, masks as centerpieces, etc.^{[3]
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- You could also hang some masks on the wall.
- Consider draping dangly lights from the ceiling and using colorful fabric to cover up any out-of-place furniture.
4
Choose classical music. Classical music is a great choice for a masquerade party because it goes with the idea of revelry inherent in the masquerade party ideal. Choose music by Beethoven, Mozart, and Vivaldi.^{[4]
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- You can hire a band or just play songs on your stereo – whatever works.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Party Logistics

1
Choose a venue. It should be spacious and clean. If you own a big house, hosting the party at home is fine as long as you restrict certain parts of the house and clear out some space for the party.^{[5]
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- If your house isn't big enough to host a party, see if you could rent a dance floor, a winery, a room at an events center, or something similar for the party.
2
Set a date and a time. Make sure that you choose a time when you aren't busy for the date of the party. Try to ask around a bit to see what dates are good for some of your guests so that they will be able to attend.^{[6]
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- Consider other things like holidays and school schedules that might prevent some of your guests from coming.
- Try to choose a weekend date so that people don’t have to worry about leaving the party early because they have to work the next day.
3
Give your guests plenty of advanced notice. You don’t want to throw a party that no one can attend because you simply didn’t notify your guests in enough time for them to plan accordingly. Send out save-the-dates 3 months in advance, then send out invitations at least 6 weeks before the party so that everyone can pencil your masquerade party into their schedules.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Natasha Miller
Event Planner & CEO, Entire Productions
Expert Interview. 29 January 2020.}
- A month advanced notice is preferable.
4
Send out invitations. Nice quality homemade ones would be perfect for an event like this, but you could also order professional invites if your budget allows. Include the date, time, location, and any other important information you want your guests to know ahead of time.
- Be sure to include the fact that this is a masquerade party and that guests should dress up with at least a mask.
- You could even create a Facebook event for your party. This is often the easiest and quickest way to invite people to a social gathering.
5
Send out email reminders. Send an email to all of your guests a week or so before the party to remind them about the masquerade party. You can include any pertinent information about bringing snacks or drinks, and even remind them that it is a masquerade party so everyone should come dressed accordingly.^{[8]
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- This is especially helpful for your guests who aren’t on Facebook and weren’t invited to the event via social media.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Entertaining Your Guests

1
Provide refreshments for your guests. Make sure to plan for a variety of food and drink for your guests. This should include several appetizers or finger foods, a dessert, and beverages. Decide if you want to serve alcohol at your party, but even if you do be sure to include a non-alcoholic drink for those who wish to abstain from alcohol.
- Try serving some food items like mini sandwiches, deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, or veggie platters with various dips.
- For the drinks, consider some kind of cola, water, punch, wine, and/or champagne.
2
Choose food and drinks that are easy to consume while wearing a mask. Some people might have masks with a handle, so the food should not be too complicated (or require both hands to eat). Include finger foods and beverages that go with the theme of your party.^{[9]
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- For example, if you are hosting a Mardi Gras themed masquerade party, you could include some mini New Orleans styled food like jambalaya and beignets or make a King's Cake, which is traditional.^{[10]
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- Provide straws for your guests so they can drink easily, even with a full-face mask.
3
Greet the guests as they come in. When everyone's arrived at your party, make a short opening announcement explaining the rules (don't make too many rules; you don't want to restrict the guests too much) and tell everyone that other than those few rules, they are welcome to do whatever they like.
- As the host of the party, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone has a good time and knows what is going on during the party.
4
Highlight the big reveal. At midnight, there should be a moment when everyone unmasks themselves to unveil their identities to their fellow revelers. This should be a fun moment for all of your guests as they get to see who has been hiding behind the masks all night.^{[11]
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- As the host, you should announce the unveiling at midnight and encourage your guests to cheer and laugh as they do so.

Community Q&A

Question

How about their dress?

Fillin Faye

Community Answer

Masquerade parties, in the 16th century, were high-class balls for the high-fashioned. Today, depending on what kind of party you are hosting, there is no need for expensive ball gowns. Masquerade parties are typically formal, so a cocktail dress or suit and tie is appropriate; however, you are welcome to wear something less casual, but still corresponding to the theme. The general rule of thumb is to wear dressy clothes with a mask.
Question

I am the host of a masquerade party, is there a certain game I should introduce to get everyone to participate?

Fillin Faye

Community Answer

If the party you are hosting is very formal, then you wouldn't want to play duck duck goose or musical chairs, instead you should be playing more "mature" games such as cards. If the party is a fun get-together then you are welcome to choose any games that you want. It depends on who you are inviting and what the theme of the party is. There are no specific games for masquerade parties.
Question

Can I host a masquerade party with any type of music?

Community Answer

Yes, though it would get less and less traditional as you deviate from the classical and baroque styles of history.