Welcome to the vibrant world of Coco! If you’re ready to throw an unforgettable birthday bash inspired by this heartwarming Pixar film, get prepared for a celebration that’s as colorful and lively as the Land of the Dead itself. From decorations to delectable treats, here’s your ultimate guide to hosting a Coco-themed extravaganza.
Party Decorations
Papel Picado Galore: Embrace the festive spirit with papel picado banners that adorn your party space. These traditional Mexican paper banners add an authentic touch to your Coco-themed ambiance. Get these colorful papel picado banners on Amazon.
Floral Arrangements: Capture the essence of the film with vibrant floral arrangements inspired by the Land of the Dead. Bright marigolds and other colorful blooms will infuse your party space with that magical Coco vibe.
Skeleton Cutouts: Embrace the characters of the Land of the Dead by decorating your space with skeleton cutouts resembling Miguel, Hector, and other beloved characters from the movie.
Coco Photo Booth: Set up a fun photo booth area complete with Day of the Dead-inspired props, such as sugar skull masks, sombreros, and flower crowns. Encourage guests to capture memories in this lively setup.
Musical Instruments Display: Display guitars, maracas, and other musical instruments reminiscent of the movie’s musical theme. It’s a nod to Miguel’s passion for music and adds an interactive element to your decorations.
Party Entertainment Ideas
Live Mariachi Band: Bring the spirit of Mexico to your party by hiring a live mariachi band. Their traditional music will set the tone and get everyone dancing to the lively tunes just like in the movie.
Face Painting Station: Transform your guests into festive skeletons with a face painting station. Hire a professional face painter or set up DIY stations with safe, non-toxic face paints for a fun activity.
Mural Painting: Create a large mural where guests can contribute by painting colorful scenes inspired by Coco. It’s a collaborative and creative activity that adds a personalized touch to your celebration.
Pinata Fun: No Mexican-themed party is complete without a vibrant pinata! Fill it with candies and treats for an exciting activity that’ll have everyone cheering as they try to break it open.
Movie Screening: End the festivities with a screening of Coco, allowing guests to enjoy the movie that inspired the celebration. Set up a cozy area with blankets and cushions for a memorable movie night.
Party Foods and Drinks
Dia de los Muertos Sugar Cookies: Bake and decorate sugar cookies in the shape of sugar skulls and marigold flowers. Use colorful icing to bring these treats to life.
Churros Delight: Serve warm churros dusted with cinnamon sugar for a delectable dessert that pays homage to Mexican cuisine and Miguel’s love for churros in the movie.
Taco Bar Fiesta: Set up a taco bar with an array of fillings and toppings, allowing guests to create their own flavorful tacos. Provide options like seasoned meats, beans, guacamole, salsa, and more.
Fruit Punch Aguas Frescas: Prepare refreshing aguas frescas in flavors like watermelon, mango, or hibiscus. Add a twist with colorful straws and fruit garnishes to match the festive theme.
Papel Picado Cupcake Toppers: Decorate cupcakes with papel picado-inspired toppers made of edible paper or fondant. These intricate designs will add a touch of authenticity to your dessert table.
Mole Poblano: Serve a traditional Mexican dish like Mole Poblano—a rich, flavorful sauce made with chili peppers, chocolate, and spices served over chicken. It’s a savory delight that pays homage to Mexican cuisine.
Pan de Muerto: Offer this traditional Day of the Dead bread, often adorned with bone-shaped dough on top. Its sweet, buttery flavor makes it a delightful treat for guests.
Tamales: Include tamales in your menu, filled with a variety of savory options like pork, chicken, or vegetables, wrapped in corn husks. They’re a beloved Mexican dish perfect for a festive celebration.
Champurrado: This warm and comforting Mexican chocolate drink is made with masa harina, chocolate, cinnamon, and often piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar). It’s a flavorful beverage perfect for cooler evenings.
Tres Leches Cake: Indulge your guests with a classic Tres Leches cake—a sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk (evaporated, condensed, and heavy cream) and topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Fruit Paletas: Cool things down with refreshing fruit paletas (popsicles) in flavors like mango, watermelon, or pineapple. They’re a delightful and colorful dessert option for guests of all ages.
Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Serve grilled corn on the cob slathered with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. It’s a flavorful and popular street food dish sure to please the crowd.
Party Favors
Customized Maracas: Personalize mini maracas with each guest’s name as a memorable keepsake. You can find these customizable maracas on Amazon.
Day of the Dead Masks: Send guests home with Day of the Dead-inspired masks that they can wear or display as a memento of the celebration.
Coco Soundtrack CDs: Gift each guest a copy of the Coco soundtrack so they can enjoy the movie’s beautiful music at home and reminisce about the fantastic party.
Mini Guitar Keychains: Gift miniature guitar keychains resembling the one Miguel plays in the movie. These can serve as practical and thematic favors that guests can use daily.
Day of the Dead Inspired Bracelets: Provide colorful beaded bracelets or wristbands featuring traditional Day of the Dead designs. These accessories can be a stylish reminder of the vibrant celebration.
Sugar Skull Cookies: Package individually decorated sugar skull cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons. It’s a sweet and visually appealing favor for guests to enjoy later.
Coco-themed Coloring Books: Offer coloring books featuring scenes from Coco along with a pack of crayons. This favor is perfect for younger guests or those who enjoy artistic activities.
Personalized Calavera Masks: Create personalized masks resembling the calavera (skull) characters from the movie. Include each guest’s name for a unique and personalized favor.
Coco-themed Stickers and Tattoos: Put together sets of Coco-themed stickers or temporary tattoos. These can be fun additions to a favor bag or handed out individually.
Final Thoughts
Hosting a Coco-themed birthday party is all about celebrating family, music, and culture in a vibrant and joyous way. With these creative ideas, your celebration is bound to be an unforgettable fiesta that captures the spirit of this beloved film.
