Step right up (cocktails this way)
Circus-themed parties used to mean paper clown hats, plastic whistles and enough primary colours to give your retinas a headache.
Thanks to Pinterest’s FunHaus trend, that’s changing. The 2026 prediction shows circus-inspired décor moving into grown-up spaces: bold stripes, sculptural silhouettes and just a hint of clownish charm, balanced with calmer colour palettes so it feels more design-led than children’s party.
Translation? Think:
Striped backdrops instead of plastic banners
Wavy candles and curved glassware instead of balloon animals
Cocktails and canapés instead of jelly and crisps
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to host a FunHaus Circus Party for adults – from décor and dress code to food, games and ready-made party stationery you can grab online.
Just so you know: this post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click through and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the tea flowing and the blog going — thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet!
Curvy candles.
What is a FunHaus circus party?
A FunHaus circus party takes all the fun, exaggerated shapes and nostalgia of the big top and filters it through a more stylish, interiors-led lens.
Key ingredients:
Bold stripes – on table runners, napkins, backdrops, outfits
Sculptural shapes – arched mirrors, curvy candles, bubble vases, balloon garlands
A limited colour palette – e.g.:
Cherry red, cream and black
Teal, mustard and white
Candy pink, red and gold
The vibe is more Wes Anderson meets vintage circus poster than soft play centre.
Ringmaster costume.
Setting the scene: colour, lighting and layout
1. Choose your grown-up colour palette
Pick 2–3 main colours and stick to them ruthlessly. For adults, try:
Red, cream & black – classic circus but toned down
Blush pink, cherry red & gold – glam and playful
Teal, mustard & white – retro and a bit unexpected
Use stripes for impact:
Striped table runner over a plain cloth
Striped backdrop behind your drinks table or photo spot
Striped napkins and paper goods
2. Go big on sculptural details
Instead of loads of tiny decorations, choose fewer bold shapes:
Cluster of oversized balloons in two colours
Curvy or twisted candlesticks in bright shades
Arched frames, round mirrors or circular wall art
Wavy-edged trays or cake stands
3. Lighting for carnival magic
Keep it atmospheric:
Fairy lights or festoon lights draped around the “big top” area
Warm white bulbs (not blue-toned)
Coloured glass tealight holders in your main palette
If you’re feeling extra, add a disco ball or rotating light for a “house party meets sideshow” feel.
Adult Monochrome Clown Dress created by Rubies.
Invitations & dress code (this is where the fun starts)
Set the tone before guests even arrive with a FunHaus Circus Party invitation:
Striped border
Big-top illustration or simple abstract circus shapes
Playful typography: “Step Right Up”, “FunHaus Circus Party”, “One Night Only”
Dress code ideas for adults:
“Ringmaster chic” – blazers, bow ties, waistcoats
“Clown, but make it fashion” – colourful make-up, statement collars, bold stripes
“Vintage circus poster” – red lips, cat-eye liner, curled hair, suspenders
Or simply: “Wear stripes, polka dots or something that feels circus-y”
These are ones I have designed, you can check them out at Zazzle here.
Food & drink: grown-up twists on circus snacks
Think fairground favourites, but given a little glow-up:
Snacks & grazing:
Fancy popcorn in big bowls – truffle parmesan, sweet & salty, chilli lime
Mini hot dogs / veggie dogs with fun toppings
Halloumi fries or loaded wedges in cardboard “snack trays”
Soft pretzels with mustard and cheese dips
Mini doughnuts with dipping sauces
Striped paper cones filled with sweets or popcorn
Take a look at the paper plates I have made here.
Drinks:
“Ringmaster Spritz” – prosecco, blood orange soda, slice of orange
“Big Top Punch” – a colourful mocktail with citrus, grenadine and lots of ice
Candyfloss cocktails – drop a little tuft of candyfloss into a prosecco flute for instant drama
Use striped cups, napkins and drinks labels to tie everything together.
These paper cups would be perfect!
Games & entertainment for adults
You don’t need full-on jugglers (unless you want them). A few simple ideas:
FunHaus Photo Booth
Striped backdrop
Props: ringmaster hat, clown nose, feather boa, fake moustaches, popcorn boxes
Use a phone on a tripod or instant camera
Spin the Prize Wheel
Create a cardboard or printable “prize wheel” with silly mini rewards:
“Free drink at the bar”
“Choose the next song”
“Do your best ringmaster announcement”
Create your own consequences on this wheel of fortune.
3. Circus Trivia or Movie Quotes
- Short quiz on famous circus films, sideshows, big-top history
- Winner gets the “Ringmaster” badge or a mini trophy
4. Playlist
- Mix vintage circus-style instrumentals, swing, cabaret and upbeat party tunes
- Add some theatrical tracks for dramatic grand entrances
Adult Mens Strongman Costume
Styling tips so it doesn’t feel like a kids’ party
To keep things firmly in grown-up territory:
Stick to a limited palette instead of every colour at once
Choose matte finishes and interesting textures over shiny plastic
Use glassware, candles and metal accents alongside the paper goods
Keep characters/clowns abstract (shapes, silhouettes) rather than cartoonish
Add a bar cart, statement centrepiece or sculptural vase to anchor the room
This sits perfectly with the FunHaus spirit: big personality, but still styled and elevated
Bringing it all together with ready-made décor
Want to skip the design work? I’ve created a FunHaus Circus Party collection on Zazzle with matching invitations, plates, napkins, banners and favour tags in bold stripes and playful big-top designs. Mix and match them with your own glassware and props to build a circus that feels grown-up, not kiddie chaos.
You could try a circus themed murder mystery party.