10 Class Reunion Ideas to Make It Your Best Alumni Event Ever

Summary

• Fun activities like yearbook scavenger hunts and alumni trivia challenges can help break the ice at class reunion events. These interactive games give people something to focus on and talk about.
• Memory walls, themed photo booths, and campus tours tap into nostalgia and stir memories of high school in a big way. Revisiting those familiar halls, or seeing a “then and now” slideshow, makes graduates feel as if they never left.
• For a great reunion, you need to strike the right atmosphere. Bringing in a live band or DJ, setting a theme, and adding a dress code can help set the mood for celebration. Sponsorships from local businesses can help you save on services like these.
• Networking and social mixers, silent auctions, and donation drives help alumni come together, rekindle friendships and build career connections. Legacy projects, like scholarship funds and mentorships, help alums make a difference in the lives of students.

Planning a class reunion is a great way to bring old friends together so they can relive memories and create new ones along the way. But it’s also an effective way to reconnect with your school’s alumni and engage their support for future fundraising projects!

FutureFund’s free tools make it easy to plan and host alumni events and get-togethers. Use these 10 ideas from our team to make your next event a smash hit with former students, then get started with us to get access to all of our best features without spending a dime.

Interactive activities

Meeting up after so many years can stir up a lot of mixed emotions. Interactive activities help break the ice and spark conversations to get people talking, laughing, and making new memories.

1. Yearbook scavenger hunt

Reunions are all about memories, which makes them the perfect time for activities that spark nostalgia. A yearbook photo scavenger hunt gets people talking and actively encourages attendees to chat and reminisce about their former classmates.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Print out a copy of each class’s yearbook photos and/or other notable photos.
• Blank out the names and captions, then re-print a copy for each team/attendee.
• Hand them out at the start of the event, then collect them before it ends.
• Offer prizes for the people who find and correctly identify the most people.

From here, you have two main options: process the submissions before everyone leaves, or send out an alumni outreach message later on announcing the winners to give yourself a little more time.

2. Alumni trivia challenge

Nothing brings former students together like a little friendly competition! Host a trivia challenge focused on the history of your school, major events, or pop culture from a specific year to ramp up the nostalgia and have a little fun. The winner(s) get a special prize—or just a mention in the next alumni newsletter!

Here’s how to make it work:

• Make a list of trivia questions. If you’re stuck for ideas, ask alumni to submit a few memories.
• Include pop culture questions. Try searching for terms like “pop culture from [year]” online.
• Host it in-person and stream it live to give everyone the option to take part.
• Let people sign up in teams or solo to encourage more active participation.

For best results, keep any teams small so it stays fair for everyone. This will prevent groups from breaking off into cliques or larger groups that dominate the competition.

Nostalgic throwbacks

Class reunions bring the high school experiences back to life again. These ideas will help you tap into that sense of nostalgia and make alums feel like they never left.

3. Memory wall or photo booth

Create a memory wall or a themed photo booth to give graduates a very real and physical way to reflect on their time in school. It’s also great fodder for a digital photo album or custom printed yearbook filled with images and memories collected throughout the event.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Send out a message before the event letting everyone know what to bring.
• Set up pin boards at the event—and be sure to supply lots of thumb tacks.
• Use clear signage and on-theme decorations to draw attention to the wall.
• Set up a photo booth with props from their graduation year, like letterman jackets.
• Provide pens and paper so people can jot down notes and memories.

By the end of the night, your memory wall (or photo booth) will be a central hub full of personal stories and snapshots of the past. You can upload everything to a service like Google Drive and share the link, or use a book printing company like On Press to give people something they can hold instead.

4. Campus tours

Campus tours are a fantastic option for older graduates, especially if they’re traveling in from great distances to attend. Letting people explore familiar hallways can make them feel as if they’re right back there all over again after years of being away.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Host a guided tour of classrooms, sports fields, and popular hangout spots.
• Set up a lunch in the cafeteria, if you have one, with traditional lunch foods.
• Invite former staff to attend the event or share stories about life at school.
• Create a “then and now” slideshow showcasing what’s changed—and what hasn’t! 

Build on your school’s legacy by asking everyone to contribute something to a time capsule. Bury it on school grounds for the same number of years as they’ve been out of school so future students or attendees can open it.

Entertainment and atmosphere

Every class reunion needs the right entertainment and atmosphere. This helps set the tone for a positive experience and encourages alumni to think positively about your school—which can make it easier to approach them for support with upcoming fundraiser projects!

Selling tickets for your class reunion is easier with FutureFund. Our free Turnstile app streamlines ticket sales for all kinds of events by letting volunteers scan and redeem tickets on their phones and save everyone time at the door—no accounts required.

Download the Turnstile app now.

5. Live music and era-specific DJs

Music is one of the most powerful nostalgia triggers, so the right playlist can instantly transport attendees back to their high school days in an instant. Hire a band, create a curated list for a DJ, or just have someone create a digital playlist to bring in—whatever works best for your budget.

• Build a playlist of songs over email by asking alumni to send in their suggestions.
• Set up a dance floor to encourage guests to cut loose and relive their prom nights.
• Create a quieter lounge area with downtempo tunes where people can relax and chat.
• Invite an old band from the same graduating year to come and play a few songs.

If you have a projector, put together a slideshow of images from the same graduating year. Cast it on a blank wall or whiteboard in the background to create a fun focal point.

6. Themed decor and dress codes

Class reunions are more engaging when they center around a cohesive theme. A ‘90s throwback, ‘80s prom, or Hollywood red carpet event gives attendees a fun, shared experience to focus on and makes the night feel even more special.

Here’s how to bring it all together:

• Decorate your space with themed versions of your school logo, banners, and memorabilia.
• Incorporate themed props and backdrops for playful banter and photo opportunities.
• Set a dress code to encourage people to dress on-theme when they come.
• Give plenty of notice so guests have time to plan for the event, especially if it’s formal.

Themes set the tone for your class reunion and create special moments for everyone. If you set up a photo booth, you’ll also help people create more cherished memories to look back on after they leave.

Networking and fundraising

Reunions are a great time to strengthen alumni connections and motivate them to get more involved with school initiatives. Networking and fundraising opportunities have a positive impact on everyone because they help attendees make friends and build their careers.

7. Casual and formal networking mixers

Reunions aren’t just about reminiscing! They’re also the perfect opportunity to rekindle friendships and make new professional connections. Invite this year’s graduating class to attend to give them a chance to gain experience networking before they go off to college.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Host networking mixers separately from any dances or big class reunion events.
• Set up industry-specific stations at professional mixers and invite local businesses to attend.
• Use luncheons, picnics, and informal brunches for more friendly, casual meetups.
• Hand out name tags with graduation years, career titles, or fun facts to get people talking.

You don’t necessarily have to choose between going casual or professional. Most mixers work best when guests can move from more structured spaces to laid-back socializing as they see fit.

8. Fundraising for a good cause

Class reunions are the perfect opportunity for alums to build on their legacy by giving something back to your school. Donation drives, silent auctions, and other fundraisers can help you raise money for school improvements, scholarships, and other meaningful causes.

• Host a silent auction with donations from alumni-owned or local businesses.
• Organize a donation drive to fund scholarships, school programs, or new equipment.
• Set up a peer-to-peer fundraiser to inspire a little friendly competition for a good cause.
• Use FutureFund to streamline all donations and track contributions at every step.

Use email and other messaging platforms to get the word out about fundraisers in the months leading up to your class reunion. See our alumni outreach messaging if you need a good place to start.

FutureFund helps schools organize memorable events

Managing guest lists, sending out invites, and keeping attendees informed can be overwhelming, especially for busy administrators and volunteers. FutureFund gives you everything you need from the same easy-to-use platform so you don’t overlook even the tiniest details.

See how FutureFund helps volunteers.

9. Partnerships with local businesses

Bringing local businesses into your reunion planning helps keep any money you spend right in the local community, but it’s also a great way to make your event more affordable. Vendors are often happy to sponsor schools with discounts in exchange for a little advertising or a share of the profits.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Reach out to local businesses at least three months in advance to ask for their help.
• Use our free template to ask for sponsorships of time, money, or donations in kind.
• Ask local hotels if they’ll offer a reduced or group rate for out-of-town attendees.
• Work with local vendors to create reunion-themed swag and items for giveaways.

Advertise their items, name, or services in emails by including a brief snippet thanking them for their generosity. Then, link out to their business to help drive more business their way.

10. Organize a legacy project

Legacy projects like scholarships, mentorship programs, and alumni support clubs create opportunities for graduates to give back in a more impactful and lasting way. Build them around key dates and mention them in your messaging to catch attention while people are already tuned in.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Establish a class-funded scholarship to support future students or fund school initiatives.
• Launch an alumni support club to get more people involved with school causes year-round.
• Create a mentorship network where alumni can guide students into their careers.
• Dedicate a plaque, bench, or mural to the graduating class and present it at the reunion.

Legacy projects connect alums in a way that lasts far beyond a single night—or in some cases, even their lives. It can be a really powerful way to motivate former students to give back.

Plan your best alumni event yet with FutureFund

A great reunion isn’t just about looking back on the past—it’s a chance for everyone to reconnect and make new memories that last a lifetime. By incorporating fun activities, great music, and legacy-building opportunities, you’ll turn a simple party into an unforgettable experience everyone will still be talking about when the next one rolls around.

At FutureFund, we know how hard school administrators and volunteers work. That’s why we created a full suite of advanced tools to help streamline event planning at every step. Use them to communicate with former students, recruit volunteers, and sell tickets all from the same intuitive platform—for FREE.

Get started with FutureFund now.