Silent disco

What it is

Guests wear wireless headphones that light up in the colour of the channel they are on - usually three. Different playlists play at once, and the dance floor splits into colours. It is completely silent from outside, so it’s perfect for late nights in gardens, flats or noise-restricted venues.

Plan ahead

• Four weeks before: hire a silent disco kit (headphones and transmitters) or book a company with DJs.
• One week before: make three playlists with clearly different vibes: pop hits, throwbacks, and dance/rap.
• The day before: charge the headphones and test the range.

Set the scene

LED uplighters, a glow-stick table, and coloured signs explaining each channel (red = pop, blue = throwbacks, green = dance). A photo booth corner.

Activities

• Channel battle: at intervals, count which colour has the most dancers.
• Singalong moment: cue a well-known song on all channels, then shout “headphones off!” at the chorus.
• Dance-off: pairs dance to different channels; the crowd votes.

Food and drink

• Pizza, wraps or a hot dog stand
• Mocktails or soft drinks for teens; a bar for adult events
• Popcorn and sweets

Tips

• Collect a deposit (or keep names on a list) for the headphones.
• Keep volume moderate on the transmitters to protect hearing.