How to Throw a Virtual Dinner Party in 2025 That Pops
Brace yourself: the virtual dinner party isn’t going anywhere. What began as a lockdown-era workaround has become an inventive, long-distance way to gather (virtual marathon, anyone?). According to Pew Research, about 32 percent of U.S. adults said they hosted a virtual get-together during the pandemic — nearly half of those under 30. Even now, it’s part of the new normal.
Interest in in‑home entertaining has also surged. Evite recorded a 148 percent jump in searches for “dinner party” over the past year and it's mostly Gen Z and millennials driving this trend.
So whether you’re gathering for a birthday, holiday or just to catch up with people far away, hosting a virtual dinner party can still feel festive, meaningful and actually fun.
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- Throw a Fun Virtual Dinner Party in 6 Steps
- 1. Plan in Advance
- 2. Find a Virtual Hosting Platform
- 3. Decide on a Theme
- 4. Create a Menu
- 5. Keep Conversation Engaged
- 6. Play Some Fun Games and Activities
Throw a Fun Virtual Dinner Party in 6 Steps
Virtual get-togethers have come a long way since the early days of awkward Zoom calls and glitchy audio. These days, meeting online can be surprisingly social — think cooking classes, trivia nights, live-streamed concerts or just hanging out over dinner and drinks. With so many ways to connect from home, the virtual dinner party has carved out its place as a go-to for staying close across distance.
At its core, a virtual dinner party is just what it sounds like: a shared meal, enjoyed over a video call. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like. You might all cook the same dish, try out a theme, dress up (or not), or just chat over takeout. The point isn’t perfection — it’s the shared experience.
And since virtual events often feel less formal, they’re great for reconnecting with friends who live far away or hosting something low-key on a weeknight. All you need is a screen, some food and a plan. Here's how to pull it off.
1. Plan in Advance
The great thing about a virtual dinner party? No need to count chairs. You can invite as many guests as your hosting platform allows. Just be mindful of the group size, think back to those early office Zoom calls where everyone talked at once. This is a dinner party, not a conference call.
Send out invites by email, text, a virtual service like Evite or even an old-fashioned phone call. Depending on who you've invited, it might be easier to set up a Facebook event.
And perhaps most important, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the video platform ahead of time so you can guide any less tech-savvy guests and keep things running smoothly.
2. Find a Virtual Hosting Platform
Whether your guests are across town or across the world, a good virtual hosting platform makes it easy to gather. Most people are already familiar with at least one, so check in with your group to see what they’re comfortable using.
Zoom: Probably the most widely used of the virtual platforms, Zoom is free and fairly easy to use. Up to 100 people can be on a call at one time. You can mute guests when they’re not speaking as well as record the meeting for later, which is an excellent way to include those who might not be able to attend the live event. Bonus: it works well across all devices and doesn’t require an account to join a meeting.
Google Meet: Previously Google Hangouts, this is now a sleek, browser-based option that works well for smaller gatherings. It's free with a Google account and integrates with Gmail and Calendar, which makes scheduling easier.
It can accommodate up to 25 devices for a virtual dinner party, although screen sharing can only be managed by one person at a time (usually the host). Guests must have a Google account in order to use it.
FaceTime: If everyone in your group is using Apple devices, FaceTime is a simple, built-in option. It supports up to 32 people and works seamlessly across iPhones, iPads and Macs. Just note that it’s Apple-only, so you’ll want to make sure everybody has an iPhone or iPad. FaceTime can also use up a lot of data.
3. Decide on a Theme
Picking a theme for your virtual dinner party can help set the mood and make planning the menu, décor and entertainment much easier (plus, it’s just plain fun!). Dinner party ideas for themes can come from mutual interests, decades, holidays or favorite movies and TV shows. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Picking a theme helps set the mood and makes your virtual dinner party feel less like a work meeting and more like, well, a party. Themes can set a mood that general attire or conversation alone might not and research shows themed events create more immersive experiences and improve engagement.
Themes can be inspired by mutual interests, holidays, decades or favorite movies. Some fun ones to try:
Roaring 20s
Take a step back to the roaring 1920s — think Great Gatsby Themed Party Ideas — and create your own speakeasy by adding online mixology classes to your virtual dinner party. Turn up the jazz and sip on Prohibition-era cocktails like highballs, Sazerac, sidecars or the fruity, rum-based Mary Pickford.
French Pastry Party
Whip up some macarons, madeleines and tart tatin for an elegant French virtual dinner party. Decorate with mini Eiffel Towers and include a screening of An American in Paris, Marie Antoinette or Disney’s Ratatouille.
Holiday Happenings
For a Halloween-themed virtual dinner party, go all out as a goth or Casper the Friendly Ghost. Black candles that drip red wax are always fun for a spooky effect, along with tattered black tablecloths, faux spiderwebs and eerie music via SiriusXM or Pandora.
Christmas virtual dinner parties are the perfect excuse to break out the jingle bells, mistletoe and Santa hats. Try an ugly sweater contest, conduct a Secret Santa reveal, stream How the Grinch Stole Christmas or take an online mixology or cooking class to make festive cocktails and holiday treats.
Show Tunes
If 18th-century costumes aren’t in the closet, print out character masks and send them around ahead of time for a simpler spin.
4. Create a Menu
Take cues from your theme — and your guests — when it’s time to plan the menu. Check for dietary restrictions or allergies early and consider building the entire dinner around a vegan or vegetarian menu. Online cooking classes can be a great resource for plant-based meals or global cuisines.
For a James Bond-themed virtual dinner party, break out the black ties and British accents (but maybe leave the flamethrowers and ejection seats behind). Shake things up with an online mixology class to learn how to make the perfect shaken-not-stirred martini.
Hosting a Mardi Gras–inspired dinner? Red beans and rice, jambalaya and gumbo set the mood. And of course, king cake and beignets are essential for dessert.
Lean into the sweet side with a European dessert party. Think English scones, Parisian macarons, Italian tiramisu and Austrian apple strudel.
5. Keep Conversation Engaged
Whether your virtual dinner party is with coworkers, friends or family members, you’ll want to keep the conversation light and friendly (this is a dinner party, after all, not a business meeting). If you haven’t connected in a while, take turns telling each other about any new hobbies, recent accomplishments or a favorite binge-worthy TV show.
Jot down the funny things your kids have said lately to give the grandparents a laugh. If you've just finished a home project or added a new plant to your collection, feel free to give a quick virtual tour — just don’t hog the spotlight. A little show-and-tell goes a long way in helping everyone feel connected.
6. Play Some Fun Games and Activities
Beyond the food and conversation, a little entertainment can go a long way. Trivia, card games and online board games are easy crowd-pleasers, especially if you tailor your trivia to the party theme or shared interests like music, movies or books. Platforms like Jackbox or online Scrabble make it easy to get everyone involved.
Because in the end, it’s not about the screen. It’s about the stories, the laughs and the little moments that bring people together — no matter where they’re dialing in from. So send the invites, set the vibe and make your virtual dinner party a night worth remembering (even if everyone’s in pajamas from the waist down).
For even more online party ideas, check out other offerings on Classpop!
