Merge: date=November 2007

[[image:Chehel-sotoon chahar shanbe suri.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Chehel Sotoun's Wall painting, that dates back to the Safavid era, depicts a Chaharshanbe Suri celebration. Isfahan, Iran.]]

A party is a social gathering for celebration and recreation. It can have religious, cultural, or seasonal implications as well, but the term 'party' usually implies a strong social/socializing component to the gathering.

Birthday party

A birthday party is a celebration that occurs to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the person honored. Birthday parties are nowadays celebrated in many cultures.

A child's party is usually held at home or a public place and consists of soft drinks and sweet and savory foods (in many cultures featuring a birthday cake). Birthday parties for children often feature entertainment, costumes, or themes. Adults' birthday parties in Western countries often take place in bars or nightclubs where a range of alcoholic beverages are consumed.Fact: date=March 2008

In Western cultures, particularly in the United States and Australia, birthday parties are often accompanied by colorful decorations such as streamers and balloons. A birthday cake is often served with candles that are to be blown out after a "birthday wish" has been made. While the birthday cake is brought to the table, the song Happy Birthday to You is sung. Wealthy people or celebrities may hire an event management agency or a party service to organize a birthday party.

''See also: Surprise party

Housewarming party

A housewarming party is held when a person, couple, or family moves into a new house or apartment. It is an occasion for the hosts to present their new home to their friends, and for friends to gather, socialize, and enjoy refreshments such as alcoholic drinks and snack foods. In some cases, the friends and family members who are invited may bring gifts for the new home. Housewarming parties are generally informal, and there are usually no planned activities besides a tour of the new house.

Block party

A "block party" is a social event where a group of residents in the same area decide to throw a party at the same time, usually during the early evening hours. During such an event, partygoers are free to pass from house to house, socializing and often consuming alcohol or other beverages.

Farewell party

In many cultures, it is customary to throw a farewell party in honor of a person who is moving away or departing on a long trip. The dinner traditionally given by a bridegroom to his friends before his wedding is also considered a farewell party.