Stores Like Party City: 12 Party Supply Retailers That Still Deliver the Goods
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About Party City
Founded
1986
USA
Ships to
US
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The wall of latex balloons in every color you could name, the helium tank humming behind the counter, the aisle of themed tableware where you could match plates, napkins, and a foil tablecloth to a five-year-old's obsession of the moment — dinosaurs, Bluey, Spider-Man, whatever. Party City did the boring math of a party for you. Buy the 16-guest kit, grab the pre-inflated Mylar number balloon on the way out, done. And every autumn the empty strip-mall storefronts flipped into Halloween City, a pop-up gold mine of animatronics and fog machines.
That reliability is what's cracked. After the Chapter 11 filing and the wave of permanent store closures, the store near you may simply be gone — and the ones still open have thinner inventory and prices on commodity crepe paper and party favors that no longer make sense when a dollar store carries the same stuff.
The helium shortage didn't help either; "balloon availability varies by location" became a real sentence people heard at the counter.
What made Party City worth the trip was one-stop convenience, and that convenience is now scattered across a handful of retailers who each do a piece of it better.
That reliability is what's cracked. After the Chapter 11 filing and the wave of permanent store closures, the store near you may simply be gone — and the ones still open have thinner inventory and prices on commodity crepe paper and party favors that no longer make sense when a dollar store carries the same stuff.
The helium shortage didn't help either; "balloon availability varies by location" became a real sentence people heard at the counter.
What made Party City worth the trip was one-stop convenience, and that convenience is now scattered across a handful of retailers who each do a piece of it better.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Party City
1
Oriental Trading
Est. 1932
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
$
cheaper
Bulk favors, classroom parties, and carnival-style events
The bulk party-favor and themed-supply catalog Party City always competed with, but cheaper per unit when you're outfitting a classroom or a big group.
Pros
- Rock-bottom per-unit pricing on bulk favors
- Enormous themed selection for kids' events
- Frequent free-shipping thresholds
Cons
- Quality on cheap plastic toys is hit or miss
- Online-only, so no last-minute pickup
- Minimums make small parties awkward
Visit Oriental Trading
Full guide: Sites Like Oriental Trading
2
Spirit Halloween
Est. 1983
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, USA
≈
similar
Halloween costumes and big-ticket seasonal decor
Directly fills the Halloween City void with seasonal pop-up stores full of costumes, animatronics, and decor.
Pros
- Best-in-class animatronics and props
- Hundreds of pop-up locations each fall
- Strong licensed-costume selection
Cons
- Only open roughly August through November
- Premium props get pricey
- Inventory sells out fast on popular items
3
Amazon
Est. 1994
Seattle, Washington, USA
≈
similar
Fast delivery and widest overall selection
Carries every party category Party City did plus overnight delivery, so the one-stop convenience moves online.
Pros
- Next-day delivery on countless party items
- Reviews help dodge low-quality junk
- Everything from balloons to piñatas in one cart
Cons
- No helium or in-store balloon inflation
- Quality varies wildly by third-party seller
- Hard to match a full coordinated theme easily
4
Walmart
Est. 1962
Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
$
cheaper
Cheap everyday party basics with pickup
Big-box party aisle with tableware, balloons, and decor at commodity pricing, plus in-store pickup nationwide.
Pros
- Lowest prices on commodity tableware and streamers
- Balloon inflation at many stores
- Stores everywhere for last-minute runs
Cons
- Themed selection is shallow
- Stock varies a lot by location
- Decor skews generic, not curated
5
Dollar Tree
Est. 1986
Chesapeake, Virginia, USA
$
cheaper
Ultra-budget balloons, plates, and gift bags
The commodity-supplies price argument that pushed people away from Party City in the first place — balloons, tableware, and favors at a fixed low price.
Pros
- Unbeatable prices on basic supplies
- Surprisingly solid seasonal decor
- Balloon inflation at many locations
Cons
- Thin selection on any specific theme
- Quality is basic by design
- Stock is inconsistent store to store
Visit Dollar Tree
Full guide: Stores Like Dollar Tree
6
Shindigz
Est. 1926
South Whitley, Indiana, USA
≈
similar
Custom banners, backdrops, and school events
Themed party specialist focused on custom banners, standees, and event backdrops Party City never matched.
Pros
- Strong custom and personalized options
- Great for proms, reunions, and big themes
- Large-format decor others don't carry
Cons
- Online-only ordering
- Lead times on custom items
- Not ideal for last-minute basics
7
Michaels
Est. 1973
Irving, Texas, USA
≈
similar
DIY party decor and craft-forward celebrations
Craft-store chain with a growing party and celebration aisle plus balloons, great for DIY decor.
Pros
- Coupons routinely cut prices
- Good for DIY and personalized decor
- Balloon services at many stores
Cons
- Party section smaller than a dedicated store
- Themed licensed goods limited
- Pricing high without a coupon
Visit Michaels
Full guide: Stores Like Michaels
8
Target
Est. 1902
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
≈
similar
Design-conscious party supplies with pickup
Spritz party line offers coordinated, better-designed tableware and decor than Party City's house brand.
Pros
- Spritz line looks better than most rivals
- Drive-up and same-day pickup
- Strong seasonal collections
Cons
- No helium at most stores
- Limited deep-theme selection
- Sells out on popular seasonal items
Visit Target
Full guide: Stores Like Target
9
Etsy
Est. 2005
Brooklyn, New York, USA
$$$
pricier
Personalized and handmade party details
Marketplace of independent sellers for custom party printables, personalized banners, and handmade decor.
Pros
- Truly custom and one-of-a-kind decor
- Instant-download printables save money
- Supports small independent makers
Cons
- Shipping times vary by seller
- Pricier than mass retail
- No one-stop convenience
Visit Etsy
Full guide: Sites Like Etsy
10
Windy City Novelties
Est. 1954
Chicago, Illinois, USA
$
cheaper
Glow party gear and themed bulk supplies
Online party specialist with themed supplies, glow items, and decor at competitive bulk pricing.
Pros
- Deep glow and rave supply selection
- Competitive bulk pricing
- Wide themed range online
Cons
- Online-only
- Website feels dated
- Shipping costs add up on small orders
11
Costco
Est. 1983
Issaquah, Washington, USA
$
cheaper
Big gatherings and bulk consumables
Warehouse bulk pricing on party essentials, cups, plates, and snacks for large gatherings.
Pros
- Unbeatable bulk value on essentials
- Great for food and drink for big events
- Solid seasonal decor deals
Cons
- Requires membership
- No themed party selection
- Bulk-only, useless for small parties
Visit Costco
Full guide: Stores Like Costco
12
Party Delights
Est. 2007
Lancashire, UK
≈
similar
Coordinated themed party kits online
Dedicated party retailer with balloons, themed sets, and decor covering the full one-stop party range online.
Pros
- Full coordinated themed ranges
- Strong balloon and decor selection
- Good for complete party bundles
Cons
- UK-based, shipping limits for US buyers
- Online-only
- Delivery times can be slow
Cheapest for commodity supplies
If you left Party City because plates, streamers, and balloons felt overpriced, Dollar Tree and Walmart win on raw price for basics, while Costco and Oriental Trading dominate when you're buying in bulk for a big group. None of them coordinate a theme as neatly, but your wallet will notice.
Best for a specific theme or custom look
When the party lives or dies on a coordinated look — a named character, a prom backdrop, a personalized banner — Etsy and Shindigz handle custom and standout decor, Party Delights nails full themed kits, and Target's Spritz line quietly looks better than most of what Party City stocked.
Best for Halloween and seasonal
The Halloween City gap is real. Spirit Halloween is the direct heir with pop-up stores full of animatronics and licensed costumes, while Windy City Novelties covers glow and party gear year-round. For quick seasonal basics, Target and Michaels fill in the rest.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Chasing the lowest price on commodity supplies? Dollar Tree and Walmart are the honest answer, with Costco and Oriental Trading for bulk. Need the one-stop convenience Party City used to offer? Amazon carries the widest range with fast shipping, and Target adds better-looking design. Rebuilding a Halloween tradition? Spirit Halloween is the closest replacement for Halloween City. And if the party hinges on a custom banner, a personalized theme, or a coordinated kit, Etsy, Shindigz, and Party Delights each do it better than Party City ever did. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Party City going out of business?
Party City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed a large number of stores, so many locations are gone or carry thinner inventory. Check whether your local store is still open before planning a trip, since availability now varies widely by market.
QWhere can I get helium balloons now that Party City is closing?
Many Walmart, Dollar Tree, Michaels, and Kroger locations offer in-store balloon inflation. Availability depends on the store and helium supply, so call ahead. For Mylar number balloons, florists and grocery stores are also reliable options.
QWhat's the best replacement for Halloween City stores?
Spirit Halloween is the direct successor with hundreds of seasonal pop-up stores each fall, strong animatronics, and licensed costumes. It covers roughly August through November, so shop early before popular items sell out.
QWhere can I buy party supplies cheaper than Party City?
Dollar Tree and Walmart beat Party City on commodity items like plates, cups, and streamers. For bulk favors and large events, Oriental Trading and Costco offer the lowest per-unit pricing, though most require ordering in quantity.
QWhere can I get custom or personalized party decorations like banners?
Etsy is the strongest option for personalized banners, printables, and handmade decor from independent sellers. Shindigz specializes in custom banners and large-format backdrops, and both handle personalization far better than a general party retailer.
Our Verdict
The Best Party City Alternative For You
Chasing the lowest price on commodity supplies? Dollar Tree and Walmart are the honest answer, with Costco and Oriental Trading for bulk. Need the one-stop convenience Party City used to offer? Amazon carries the widest range with fast shipping, and Target adds better-looking design. Rebuilding a Halloween tradition? Spirit Halloween is the closest replacement for Halloween City. And if the party hinges on a custom banner, a personalized theme, or a coordinated kit, Etsy, Shindigz, and Party Delights each do it better than Party City ever did.