1980s Disco Pep Rally Ideas

Pep rallies are great for raising school spirit, creating a sense of unity among students and faculty and showcasing student achievements in academics, sports and other extracurricular activities. Add a 1980s disco party theme to the standard pep rally format to further increase participation, build excitement and create memories worthy of the yearbook.

  1. Disco Balls

    • A disco ball sets the mood for a fun event.

      A mirrored disco ball is the quintessential decoration for any disco-themed event. Hang several disco balls from the ceiling of the gymnasium and shine spotlights on them throughout the rally. Use student council or booster club funds to buy disco ball keychains to hand out as prizes to game winners. Increase the sparkly, glowing sensation by passing out glow sticks to students to wave.

    Dance Contest

    • Give participating students several moves to perform or allow them to dance freestyle.

      Blast classic 1980s songs from the sound system while selected students participate in a dance contest. Select a combination of students, ranging from the lead in the school play to the football captain to the technology club's founder. Allow students to dance for two minutes. Send cheerleaders around the room to judge which class cheers the loudest for their favorite dancer. Ask teachers or members of student council to serve as the final judges.

    Dress-Up Relay

    • Wigs add to the hilarity of watching classmates dress up in vintage fashions.

      Gather signature clothes and accessories from the 1980s disco scene, such as chunky white boots, fluffy wigs and heavy gold chain necklaces. Stuff two complete outfits into two large buckets. Set the buckets on opposite sides of the gym. Line up two teams of four players each, positioning two teammates beside opposing buckets. Instruct the first players from each team to dress up completely in the 1980s clothes and run as quickly as possible to the teammates awaiting them across the gym. The student takes off the outer 1980s clothes and stuffs them into the empty bucket. Then the next player puts them on and races across the gym. The game continues until all four players have successfully completed the task. The first team to compete the task wins.

    Band Goes Disco

    • Invite the school band or orchestra to perform an adaptation of a popular 1980s song. The band can open and close the pep rally with the same song, or perform during the middle of the rally while a game is being set up. Vary the activity by holding a miniature battle of the bands during the pep rally, or hold an air guitar contest while blasting a disco hit on the sound system.