Last updated: April 18, 2025
I’ve hosted hundreds of parties with a variety of start times. There’s one thing I know for sure: you must include both a start and an end time.
Getting your timing right means more “yes” RSVPs, punctual arrivals, and a more successful party overall.
The timing you choose to start your party can make it a successful or disappointing event. The right timing impacts guest attendance and punctuality, energy levels and overall vibe, guest experience and enjoyment, as well as how long people will actually stay at your event.
In this article, we’ll break down the best party times to host different types of parties, and I’ll tell you why a 2-hour party length is the best for most situations.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Party Time
When selecting the best party times for your event, keep these key factors in mind.
Guest Availability
Consider work schedules and whether weekends or weekdays work better for a specific guest list.
Event Type
Formal events generally start earlier than casual gatherings. Indoor events offer more flexibility than outdoor events, depending on daylight.
Age Group of Guests
Children’s parties should accommodate nap times and early bedtimes, while adult gatherings can start later.
Season and Weather
Summer parties can start later due to extended daylight, while winter gatherings might benefit from earlier start times.
Venue Availability
Some venues have specific time slots available, which may influence your decision.
Best Party Start Times by Event Type
Most parties should start at 7:00 p.m. I’ll tell you why.
An event that starts at 7:00 p.m. gives your guests enough time to finish their workday. They can either come straight to your party after work, or they can eat dinner before arriving.
The 7:00 p.m. start time also allows people to handle some family responsibilities in the evening.
But this isn’t set in stone! You can adjust the start time to better suit your local customs.
Here are some common party start times that I’ve seen:
- Kids Birthday Party: 1:00 p.m.
- Happy hour: 5:00 p.m.
This is best for a happy hour which takes place at or near your office. - Happy hour: 6:00 p.m.
Best for an off-campus or non-work-related function. It gives people time to drive to the bar or restaurant or home. - Cocktail party: 7:00 p.m.
- Dinner Party: 7:00 p.m.
- Birthday party: 7:00 p.m. on a weeknight
- Birthday party: 8:00 p.m. on a weekend
For example, when I lived in New York City, all of my friends worked late. It was common for a happy hour to start at 8:00 p.m.
Type of Parties
Young Children (Under 5): 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Schedule around nap times to prevent meltdowns
- Mornings often have better energy levels for young children
- Allows parents to have the rest of their day free
School-Age Children: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Perfect length for maintaining attention spans
- Allows for a manageable party duration
- Children tend to get restless in longer parties
Teen Birthday Parties: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Perfect timing for after-school celebrations
- Allows for activities, food, and socializing
- Early enough to end at a reasonable hour on school nights
- Can extend slightly later on weekends
After-School Events: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ensures children have enough time to enjoy the party without staying out too late on a school night.
Lunch Networking: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Perfect for busy professionals who can’t commit to evening events.
Formal Corporate Dinners: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Early enough start for a full dinner service
- Provides time for speeches and presentations
- Accommodates structured networking before or after dinner
- Ends at a reasonable hour for professionals with early morning commitments
After-Work Happy Hours: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ideal timing for work-life balance, allowing people to network and still get home at a reasonable hour.
Weeknight Adult Parties: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
This timing allows guests to:
- Finish their workday
- Handle evening family responsibilities
- Either eat dinner before arriving or come directly from work
- Get home at a reasonable hour for the next workday
Weekend Adult Parties: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Weekends allow for slightly later start times since guests don’t have work the next day.
House Parties & Casual Gatherings: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (weekends)
- Later start allows guests to have dinner beforehand
- Provides ample time for drinks, conversation, and dancing
- Weekend timing means guests can stay later without workday concerns
- Consider a 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM window for weeknight house parties
Best Days to Host for Maximum Attendance
Friday Night
Great for adult parties, happy hours, and nightlife events. People are ready to unwind after the workweek but aren’t yet tired from weekend activities.
Saturday Night
Best for weddings, big events, and casual gatherings. Most people have the day to prepare and the next day to recover.
Sunday Brunch/Afternoon
Perfect for relaxed socializing (between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) when people aren’t quite ready for the workweek to begin.
Weekday vs. Weekend Parties: Pros & Cons
Weekday Pros:
- Often easier to book venues at lower rates
- Less competition with other social events
- Some guests may appreciate shorter events on work nights
Weekday Cons:
- Lower attendance due to work and family commitments
- Guests may arrive late due to traffic or work
- Earlier end times are generally necessary
Weekend Pros:
- Higher attendance rates
- More flexibility with timing
- Guests can stay later without next-day work concerns
Weekend Cons:
- More competition with other events and activities
- Venues are often more expensive and booked further in advance
- Some guests may have standing family commitments
When to End a Party
End your party two hours after the scheduled start time.
For a networking event or happy hour that starts at 7:00 p.m., you should end your party at 9:00 p.m.
See this article for tips about how to end yourr party!
Keeping your party length to only two hours has a lot of benefits. More people will arrive on time. More people will RSVP yes because it is less of a commitment. And your guests get to go home early, which is especially helpful if you host your event on a weekday.
Other Party Times
While 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. works best for me, I know a few hosts who throw parties from 8:00 to 10:00 or even 6:30 to 8:30.
After your first party, you can experiment to find the time block that works best for you and your community.
If you want to have a bit of fun with the start and end time, you can pick a random minute around 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Quirky Example
Sol Orwell, the co-founder of the scientific research database Examine.com, started hosting parties because he wanted to commiserate with his fellow entrepreneurs in Toronto. He always uses quirky start and end times like 6:57 p.m. to 9:02 p.m.
It sets his parties apart from boring networking events, and I have a hunch the novelty start and end times might encourage people to show up on time.
Why Two Hours?
Two hours is the perfect length of time for a cocktail party. It’s long enough for people to meet and talk, yet short enough to prevent the party from fizzling out.
Keep your party concise in order to:
- Encourage guests to show up on time and not be fashionably late.
- Make your parties easier to say yes to, especially on a weekday.
- Reduce your stress by setting expectations for when guests should leave.
- Prevents the party from fizzling out awkwardly.
- Creates a sense of exclusivity and energy.
The clear ending time tells guests that your party isn’t an opportunity for a blowout or a crazy long night.
More people will RSVP yes because it is less of a commitment. And your guests get to go home early, which is especially helpful if you host your event on a weekday.
Everyone needs to get up for work, family, or school the next day.
How to End a Party
You might worry about what to do at the end of your party.
When your designated end time approaches:
- Start subtle cleanup activities (collecting empty glasses)
- Begin saying meaningful goodbyes to some guests
- Adjust the music volume slightly lower
- Have a recommendation ready for where night owls can continue socializing
- Thank everyone warmly for coming
If your guests want to hang out and continue socializing after your party is over, congratulations! That means you’ve done a great job creating connections.
But that chatter and reluctance to leave doesn’t mean you need to continue hosting.
Recommend a nearby bar or restaurant that guests can go to, then finish the party at the time you stated in the invitation.
Read this article for more information: How to End Your Party.
How to Choose the Right Party Time for Your Guests
Understanding your audience is key to selecting the perfect party time:
Know Your Demographic: Consider the age, lifestyle, and typical schedule of your guests. Young professionals might prefer later weekend events, while families with children may appreciate earlier gatherings.
Consider Travel Time: Factor in how far guests need to travel and potential traffic issues, especially for weekday events.
Send Early Invitations: For important events, send invitations well in advance to ensure maximum availability and allow guests to plan accordingly.
Be Mindful of Special Circumstances: Consider religious observances, major sporting events, or competing social gatherings that might affect attendance.
Conclusion
Time plays a crucial role in determining the success of your events. Make sure to set strict start and end times so that your party maintains its structure.
The perfect party timing enhances guest experience, increases attendance, and reduces host stress. While 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM works well for most adult gatherings, don’t be afraid to adjust based on your specific event type and guest needs.
It is OK if your party goes a little late. But picking a good start time and always including an end time will help your event be a big success.
Read my how-to guide, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, to learn more about how to end your party gracefully and on a high note.
