How To Throw an Amazing Olympics Watch Party + 20 Recipes
As An affiliate of several brands, the use of some of our links can be a potential financial benefit to us. To learn more about affiliates and to see the full disclosure, you can click here.
UPDATED: JAN 7, 2026
Looking to host an Olympic Games-themed party and unsure as to where to start? That is ok. Sometimes, a theme is sitting right there, and you just aren’t sure how to execute it or where to begin, but why worry about all of that when I can do that heavy lifting for you?
Ultimately, Olympic Watch parties are about team spirit and camaraderie. However you see fit to foster those, it will work out just fine.
Start with figuring out how laid-back or elaborate you’d like your watch party to be. If you would like just the basics, consider the menu, decor for the food table, and some simple games.
If you want to be more elaborate, work up from the basics by evaluating any opportunity you have to customize or make something fit the theme.
Whatever you land on, make your life easier with my FREE party planning checklist and don’t forget the television!
Table of Contents
Olympic Color Scheme
The Olympics have managed to both solve and create a problem for party planners because they have already predetermined the color scheme for you. The most obvious choice is to base your color scheme on the Olympic rings. This gives you plenty of options and allows you a bit more freedom when it comes to planning out your decor.
The Olympic rings also create a small problem by giving you almost too many color options. Be sure to balance out your use of the colors well so that it feels cohesive and the theme is still obvious. Take note of how much yellow, red, blue, and green you have in one particular space. White and black are safer in larger doses.
If you are not a fan of basing the entire party scheme on the Olympic Games’ logo, you can opt to make the flags of the various countries your theme or choose to support one country and use its flag colors as your color scheme.
Olympic Party Color Scheme Options
- Olympic Rings
- Blue, Black, Red, Yellow, Green
- Olympic Metals
- Silver and Gold
- Flag-Inspired
- Red, White, and Blue
- Red, Yellow, and Green
- Orange, Green, and White
- Yellow and Green
Olympic Game-Inspired Decor
Consider the major tropes, colors, and symbols of the event. The Olympics are about international teams, the Olympic Torch and rings, the colors of the rings, and your home team. Seek out ways to lean into those elements in ways that stick to your personal style.
When looking for ideas, literal ideas and translations are great, and a few here and there work well, but don’t forget to go a bit more abstract by leaning into color schemes, flag representation, or things like the cuisines of the countries being represented.
This can also apply to your decor; lean into the Olympic ring colors, gold, or your team colors when decorating, but skip out on the banner that reads “Olympic Watch Party”. Instead, search up your home for pieces you already have and decorate with those things first; consider things like candlesticks and taper candles as a reference to the gold medals and Olympic torch. Then, head to the store for small additions like table runners, ribbons, or cushions!
For the winter Olympics, you can also lean heavily into a snow-inspired motif, adding nods to the landscape, the winter accessories, or the tools the athletes use. This is the perfect opportunity for fun ice details, a shotski, or that fake snow and mini Christmas trees you usually use once a year.
For serveware, keep it simple with whites and golds, so that the chosen decorative elements can take center stage. A few cute details, like themed cups or mini flags, can also be helpful!
The real reason most people show up to a watch party, however, is the food. The food is also a major chance to display your creativity and push the theme. Take a look at your menu and see if anything can be adjusted in color or composition to better fit the theme.
If you prefer to leave the creative thinking to someone else, that’s fine as well. I’ve compiled more than 20 food and drink ideas that are inspired by the Olympic Games or Olympic Symbols that you can try out at your Olympic watch party!
Gold Winning Olympics-Inspired Eats
1. Olympic Charcuterie Board
Incredibly easy to put together, all these creative Olympic charcuterie boards and snack boards need are some select fruits and veggies. Use bowls of fresh fruit, vegetables, and snacks to replicate the iconic Olympic rings. It’s an incredibly easy way to show the theme with something you already plan to serve!
2. Flag Inspired Fruit Skewers
Another incredibly easy option is themed fruit skewers! These ones are perfect if you are pulling for America, but if you want you can do different fruits to match different countries’ colors!
3. Star-Studded Watermelon Appetizers
Once again leaning into color scheme and symbolism, these appetizers are on theme without being specifically Olympics-themed. All you need for these easy appetizers are a few toothpicks and cookie cutters! The sweet and tangy combinations in the flavors make these a crowd-pleaser!
4. Flag Layered Dip
While the small bites are perfect for a crowd, sometimes you need something a bit more substantial. This super cute flag-themed dip is the perfect option. The best part is that you can decide how much to put in each layer, so it is easily scalable, just be sure to finish off the top with the adorable flag.
5. Fruit Torches
Outside of the Olympic rings, the torch may be the next most notable symbol when it comes to the Olympic Games. So how about making a few of your own with an edible replica? Stuffed with yogurt and a variety of red and orange fruits, these are too good to pass up.
6. Snack Torches
Display your snacks, such as trail mix, mini charcuterie cups, or popcorn, in these easy-to-make torches for a fun display option!
7. International Dish Flight
If you want to lean more into the cultural aspect of the Olympic Games, consider doing a few easy dishes from a variety of countries and creating an international dish flight. Not only can you learn more about the countries that are represented in the games, but also more about their food and culture. Bonus: it’s a great conversation piece.
Olympic Sweets and Treats
8. Red, White, and Blue Fruit Cones
If the healthier fruit cones aren’t for you, here is a sweet, sweet alternative. Opting for chocolate, sprinkles, and cookie straws, these patriotic sweet treats are a need!
9. Gold Medal Oreos
What are the Olympics without a few gold medals? These gold medal Oreos are super easy to put together and fit the theme so well. Want to go a step further? Use a strip of candy to create the lanyards when you display them!
10. Olympic Ring Oreo Pops
While you already have those Oreos open, consider dipping them into some chocolate so that you can create a super cool Olympic ring display.
11. Flame Suckers
Don’t be intimidated! These Isomalt suckers are much easier than you would think and are perfect for adding in more Olympic Torch elements. Even better, skip the stick, and you can use some to decorate other projects!
12. Mini Pies
It just does not get much cuter than these bite-sized pies. The best part is that they are easily customizable. This author uses the iconic star and red and blue fruits to make these more patriotic!
13. Olympic Donuts
I mean, you cannot skip out on Donuts when doing anything ring-themed! Plus, every party can benefit from donuts! This idea is so perfect that I have two options!
Dipped
Easily done with homemade donuts or premade donuts, only a few simple ingredients stand between you and these perfectly themed donuts.
Sprinkled
If you prefer the sprinkled look, here is an option for you as well. Either way, you cannot go wrong with donuts.
14. Olympic Cake Pops
While making cake pops for a party is not a new idea, instead of just decorating them on theme, consider creating a 3D display by organizing your cake pops into the shape of the Olympic rings!
15. Flag Cookies
An easy way to bring more of the international aspect of the games to your party, these flag cookies are decorated with sugar crystals and are super cute.
16. Skiers Cupcakes
These cupcakes could not be more perfect for the Winter Olympics and are suprisingly easy to make. You can also customize the flavors and the tiny skiers!
Olympics-Inspired Drinks
17. Olympic Sugared Rims
Want a subtle but chic option? Consider sugaring your rims in the Olympic colors. It only takes a few minutes of prep, but it shows an amazing attention to detail.
18. Red, White, and Blue Mocktail
An easy way to sneak in a bit more team representation is through your drinks. This delicious mocktail has sweet, tangy, and floral notes. Want to switch it up for your team colors? Just search up those colors and mocktails or cocktails and see what you get.
19. Red, White, and Blue Jello Shots
Jello shots work well for parties because they barely involve you after they’re made, meaning guests can grab them and go with relatively little mess. These ones are perfect for an Olympic watch party with the delicious red, white, and blue flavor choices!
20. Olympic Torch Martini
*This drink should be made carefully and responsibly! Do not drink while still on fire.* A bit more of an advanced drink option, this Olympic torch martini is not only delicious, but it is sure to win you some showmanship points.
21. Olympic Themed Jello Shot Display
Reconfiguring things you would have already have to match the theme is one of the easiest ways you can lean into a theme. Like the Olympic cake pops, this user displayed their jello shots in the formation of the Olympic rings. Simple but good.
22. Winter Wonderland Mimosa
Inspired by the snowy atmosphere at the winter games, this mimosa is the perfect addition to the menu because it’s easy to make, perfectly on theme, and tastes amazing.
23. Assorted International Beers/Liquors
Creating a bar with an array of international beers and liquors is probably one of the coolest ways you can use the international aspect of the Olympics! It is a more subtle approach, but it gives you a reason to open up the conversation with guests and to try something new!
Olympic Watch Party Games
The Olympic Games can have quite a bit of downtime between and during the events. To keep your guests in the spirit, consider offering up some Olympic Games of your own. Some of them can be set up outdoors, especially for the Summer Olympics, and some can be done inside!
The party games are where you can show your personality and bring all of the fun drama, so add in details like a scoreboard, your very own Olympic torch, or little blank passport books for games or keeping score!
If you’d like a bit of friendly competition, set up a scoreboard and keep track of who wins the most points or games during your selected games. Hand out medals to the winners, of course!
Indoor Game Ideas
- Bingo
- Brackets
- Printable Games
- Eye Spy
- Charades
Indoor Activities
- Hot Cider Bar / Hot Chocolate Bar
- Snow Ball Pong
- Blindfolded Shoveling
- A slotted spoon and sand for summer, and a spoon and cottonballs for winter!
Outdoor Game Ideas
- Obstacle Course
- Backyard Soccer
- Archery
- Axe Throwing
- Cornhole
- Street Hockey
The most important thing to remember is that the games are in the spirit of competition and sportsmanship. So sporting a fun attitude is the best way to host an Olympic watch party! Take note of the tips we went over at the beginning and have fun! Good luck!
Don’t forget to download your FREE Checkable Party Planning Checklist that works for any event!
