Prepare the cows, roast the beans, and get ready for hours of infinite entertainment. We’ve compiled a list of fantastic cowboy-themed party ideas to make your event a cowboy’s dream!
For someone who wants to be a cowboy in the days of the Wild West, a western themed birthday party is a fantastic option. Within the western theme, there are numerous possibilities for invites, décor, and attire.
Cowboy Party Ideas
This style of birthday celebration is simple to design, but it will take time and work to execute. To throw a western-themed birthday party, you’ll need to organize and send out invitations, decorate and prepare food, and then fill the party with exciting activities for all of your guests.
Where to Host a Cowboy Party?
If you plan to host the party at your home, you won’t need to make any preparations for the date. Renting a barn or ranch can be fun and authentic if you truly want to go for the western vibe. If you want to rent out a venue, however, any event location will suffice.
Things to Do at Your Cowboy Party
Fantastic food is always a part of a good party! Make sure your party is well-stocked with cowboy favorites such as baked beans, biscuits, jerky, and coffee.
Why not include a pie or corn on the cob eating contest as one of your western theme party ideas for the more daring partygoers? While a cowboy would most likely be chewing tobacco for dessert, you could make it healthier and more modern by holding a sunflower seed spitting contest!
Capture the Moments!
What’s a western party without some old photographs to remember it by?! Have your guests dress up as cowboys and cowgirls, gather some fun western items (such as toy weapons and empty whiskey bottles), and set up a great western setting as the backdrop!
A wanted poster cut-out or a backdrop with swinging saloon doors are also great ideas. Consider hiring a professional photographer or purchasing a couple Polaroid cameras so that your guests may leave with a fun and unique party present after the party!
Play Your Favourite Songs!
Without the perfect music, no party is complete. You should play a combination of classic and current country music during your party at a western themed venue. But don’t forget to add great party tunes that aren’t necessarily country western! Add the following vintage and new country artists to your playlist:
- Johnny Cash – a well known musician.
- Kenny Rogers – a country music legend.
- Glen Campbell – everybody’s favorite musician.
- Blake Shelton – country music singer
- John Denver – an American singer-songwriter
You can lay the harmonica, relax around the campfire, and enjoy a classic western pastime: listening to and playing cowboy ballads! If you have any musically minded friends, this could be their chance to shine at the party, or you could even hire a band!
Enjoy the Sunset While Riding Your Horse
A sunset horseback ride will add adventure to your celebration! This is a fantastic way to end an evening in true western style. Consider a carriage ride if you want something a little more soothing than an evening in the saddle.
Dress-up Like Cowboys!
If you’re having a cowboy-themed party, you must dress in “Wild West” style. Here are some clothing suggestions for you and your guests.
- Bank robbers
- Cowboys with bootcut jeans, large buckles on their belts, boots, and cowboy hats
- Cowgirls dressed in jean skirts, checkered shirts, bandanas, boots, and cowboy hats.
- Sheriffs of the town
- Thieves
- Western royalty
Cowboy Party Decorations
It’s time to start planning your cowboy-themed party decor! Because decorations can make or break a party, sticking to the theme is crucial. Furthermore, you don’t want your western-themed event to come across as cheesy, so make sure your décor is lighthearted but sophisticated.
Here are some decorating suggestions for a western theme:
- Include short tables with low seats arranged around them to create a cowboy saloon bar.
- Walls and doors should be covered in larger versions of your wanted posters.
- Decorate walls and doors with vintage cowboy hats.
- Replace your standard light bulbs with yellow ones.
- For your guests to sit on, get a couple of hay bales and cover them with hessian bags.
- Provide guests with cowboy hats and sheriff badges.
Cowboy Themed Party Favors and Supplies
Cow prints
For western-themed birthday celebrations, cow print is a popular choice. For placemats, the cow print can be used instead of burlap. Trays, plates, napkins, title cards, and banners are just a few of the items you can use it for.
Mason jars
Mason jars are inexpensive and easy to get by. They can be found at a variety of supermarkets and arts and crafts stores. Purchase enough mason jars for each guest at the party, plus a few extras in case any are broken. You can use them for cocktails, trail mix, and party favors.
Sheriff badges and cowboy hats
You are not required to buy expensive cowboy hats. Cowboy hats made of plastic or straw are available for purchase. Sheriff badges are also fairly easy to come by at party supply stores. You can hand them out as is or personalize them with your guests’ names.
Cowboy Themed Party Invitations
Make your invitations when you’ve decided who you’d want to invite to your cowboy themed party. Make them entertaining and innovative if you want to get your guests excited for the big day. Shape them as a boot, cowboy hat, horseshoe, pistol gun, cactus hat, or wanted poster for a simple twist on traditional invitations.
If you don’t want to personalize your invitations, you can obtain cowboy-themed invitations free printable here!
Tip:
Send out the invitations once you’ve finished them. Allow plenty of time for your guests to make plans to attend the party before it begins. It’s best to send out the invitations at least a month before the celebration.
If you’re worried that the invites won’t arrive in time, send a text or email to the folks you’re planning to invite about the party.
Get on your saddle and get ready to have a good time!
