12 Unexpected Twists on Disco Ball Decor

Is it any surprise that something called DiscOasis offered a wealth of fun event inspo? After all, the walkthrough theatrical experience was billed as a “glittering sonic fantasia for the soul." Taking over South Coast Botanic Garden near Los Angeles in 2021, the public ticketed experience let guests explore six different areas, each featuring a different photo op-friendly art installation that was inspired by a specific disco song, as well as a live actor interacting with guests. In one fun spot, a giant disco ball was split open and filled with lush florals.

Other installations included a silver-painted car covered in flowers and disco balls. At the end of the experience was an area with a disco-inspired roller-skating rink; a colorful dance floor; retro arcade games; food trucks; and other fun, interactive details. The event was a collaboration between Los Angeles-based experience studio Constellation Immersive (an affiliate of Creative Artists Agency) and Grammy Award-winning musician Nile Rodgers, who curated the soundtrack as DiscOasis’ official “groovemaster.” See more: Get Inspired By This Music-Driven, Interactive Theatrical Walk-Through

Here's a unique one: New York-based Tryon Entertainment offers so-called “human disco balls” for events. The stylishly dressed crew makes appearances with customizable text scrolling across LED disco ball-shaped heads.

A decommissioned power plant isn't usually a go-to venue for a festival about arts and creativity. But for Toronto’s Luminato Festival, the Hearn Generating Station served as an ideal location to kick off its 10th anniversary in 2016. Artist Michel de Broin's "One Thousand Speculations" installation, ­a gigantic mirror ball that measured almost 26 feet wide, helped transform the venue by casting reflective light throughout the raw, industrial space. See more: How to Bring a Decommissioned Venue Back to the Future

In March 2023, Tequila Don Julio introduced its Tequila Don Julio Rosado at a vibrant event in Miami. Dubbed PTO (as in Party Time Off, a fun play on the standard "paid time off"), the midday-to-sunset outdoor jubilee was produced by NVE Experience Agency. Disco elements were incorporated throughout the event space, and the Miami sunlight made for a fun, glittery-looking photo op among oversize disco balls. See more: Magic of Miami: How (and Why) the 305 Is a Hot Spot Host to Big Brands

In April 2023, food rescue organization City Harvest hosted its 40th anniversary gala in New York. Hosted by actor and model Tyson Beckford, the event was produced by JWP and had decor from Colin Cowie, which included disco balls hanging from cubed shelving, fronted by miniature City Harvest trucks.

Disco balls also decorated the floral arrangements.

Sure, you could take a standard approach and have a disco ball hanging above a dance floor. Or you could opt for what was billed as the largest disco ball in the country, a 20-foot piece from Salt Lake City-based artist Derek Dyer. That’s the route mega-real estate development Paramount Miami Worldcenter took for its glitzy launch event in 2015, which was designed and produced by Triton Productions. The enormous disco ball—which consisted of more than 1,000 mirrors and weighed 2,500 pounds—was raised 47 feet in the air.

The stunt created the desired effect: The first 500 people who showed up to the event weren’t on the invite list, according to the event team. Overall, the eye-catching gathering drew 1,500 people, as well as numerous gawkers from neighboring residences who watched from their balconies as light from the disco ball bounced off their buildings. See more: See How the Country's Largest Disco Ball Became an Event Centerpiece

Packed Party’s Disco Drink tumbler adds instant sparkle to any cocktail. The drinkware costs $16 each, with bulk pricing available; it ships internationally.

For Refinery29’s 29Rooms in 2018, Square Design fabricated a fun space that featured the music of rapper-singer Lizzo—plus a whopping 71 disco balls, along with headphones for a silent dance party.

For BizBash's own trade show in July 2018, event entertainment company Champagne Experiential Studios created a futuristic, mirror-theme booth with a disco ball-inspired backdrop and a man in a fully mirrored costume. See more: 14 Noteworthy Event Ideas & Products From BizBash Live: Los Angeles

Finally, here’s a fun throwback to 2009, when the Central Park Conservancy hosted its Halloween Ball fundraiser. The kitschy affair eschewed formal floral arrangements and fancy furniture for spooky props and atmospheric lighting. Sitting atop the main bar in heavy urns, disco balls of different shapes reflected hundreds of dots of light onto the ceiling of the cocktail space, essentially creating a starry pattern. As an ominous touch, video graphics of lightning bolts flashed across this surface, and a fog machine shrouded the room in a hazy mist. Frank Alexander NYC handled the design. See more: Central Park Conservancy Casts Halloween Ball in Eerie Light