Reading the news, it can feel like no one is partying anymore.
People seem more excited to stay home than go out. Gen Z is drinking less than any other generation. Wellness clubs have replaced night clubs as the go-to spots to socialize.
But partying is not dead — priorities have simply shifted, as highlighted in the Evite’s Pregame Report 2026 released today.
The online invitations platform surveyed more than 5,000 party enthusiasts to uncover the hottest trends and the biggest pet peeves for party planning in 2026.
As it turns out, partying no longer happens only at the club. It has shifted to smaller, connection-focused affairs. After birthdays and holiday celebrations, watch parties came in as the third-most-popular event types at 49%, followed by book clubs at 43% and celebrating pets at 35%. After all, a dog’s birthday party is still a party.
Gen Z has been declared “generation stay-at-home.” But that doesn’t mean they aren’t inviting people over. According to Evite, home-based celebrations are booming as hosts prioritise comfort and intimate celebrations over big blow outs.
“Post-pandemic, people discovered they prefer deeper, more meaningful connections over crowded events, and as a result their homes have become more central to their identity and social lives,” Olivia Pollock, Evite’s Etiquette & Hosting Expert, tells Fast Company. “There’s also a practical component at play. Hosting at home helps keep budgets manageable, 67% of respondents say they prefer affordable, personalized experiences.”
