Raging Defined: The Most Ridiculous Parties the World Has Ever Seen

If you think the Oscars after-parties are the ultimate places to dance and network, or that Puff Daddy’s legendary “White Party” was the pinnacle of cool, it’s time for a history lesson! Throughout time, there have been some truly wild and extravagant celebrations—many of which put today’s events to shame.

From the study of anthropology and ancient history, it’s clear that some people in the past really knew how to throw a party. Whether it was celebrating like it was 1999, 2009, or even 99 BCE, history is full of unforgettable gatherings.

 

Explore some of the most outrageous parties in history.

15. Fancy Dress Ball

In the early 1900s, Russia found itself in a period of turmoil, teetering on the brink of revolution. Yet, despite the growing unrest, Czar Nicholas II and his wife, Alexandra, seemed indifferent to the nation’s struggles. In 1903, they hosted a grandiose costume ball—an opulent display of extravagance that has since become infamous in Russian history. The event wasn’t limited to one evening; it consisted of two lavish gatherings, with the first being more of a concert.

The ball was a spectacle of excess—extravagant costumes, endless dancing, and an abundance of fine food. Empress Alexandra even arranged for photographs of the evening to be available for guests to purchase, ostensibly to raise money for charity. However, the gesture failed to resonate with the people, who saw it as tone-deaf in the face of widespread hardship.

 

This celebration, remembered as one of the most indulgent in Russia’s history, was a stark contrast to the growing discontent among the populace. Unsurprisingly, just over a decade later, the Russian Revolution of 1917 would bring the Czar’s reign to a violent end. In 1918, Nicholas, Alexandra, and their daughter Maria were executed, marking the tragic downfall of a family oblivious to the storm brewing around them.

14. Man Han Quan Xi

In 1720, the Qing Dynasty hosted an extravagant feast dedicated to indulgence and unity. Organized to celebrate Emperor Kangxi’s 66th birthday, the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, or Man Han Quan Xi, aimed to foster harmony between the ruling Manchu elite and the Han Chinese population. Over the course of three days, this legendary banquet welcomed 2,500 guests and lavished them with an abundance of food and wine.

The menu was a spectacle in itself, featuring around 300 dishes. Traditional staples like duck, dumplings, roast pig, and porridge were served alongside exotic delicacies such as bear paw, camel hump, bird’s nest, and even monkey brains, for those seeking something more adventurous.

 

This grand celebration became a hallmark of the Qing Dynasty, recurring sporadically over the years as a symbol of opulence and cultural fusion.

13. Mrs. Astor’s Fifth Avenue Balls

Caroline Webster Schermerhorn was born into immense wealth. Her family’s fortune stemmed from their Dutch aristocratic roots and her father’s success as a prominent merchant. Later in life, she married William Astor, grandson of the legendary tycoon John Jacob Astor, further solidifying her place among the elite. With this newfound wealth, the newly minted Mrs. Astor became renowned for hosting extravagant—and occasionally over-the-top—parties.

Attending one of these 19th-century soirées was no small feat. The Astors famously limited their guest list to just 400 of New York City’s most influential figures, making an invitation to their Fifth Avenue mansion a coveted prize.

 

The events themselves were nothing short of opulent. Guests indulged in champagne, terrapin, and pâté de foie gras en croûte, while live music from some of the era’s finest orchestras set the tone for the evening. These gatherings weren’t just parties—they were the social pinnacle of the time.

12. Field of the Cloth of Gold

King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France were both renowned for their extravagant parties. In 1520, the two monarchs decided to host a joint summit near Calais, aiming to foster better relations between their nations. However, what was meant to be a diplomatic gathering quickly turned into an over-the-top rivalry in revelry, earning its place as one of the most outrageous parties in history.

The festivities spanned an astonishing two and a half weeks, featuring lavish displays of wealth and indulgence. Extravagant tents filled the valley, and the menu boasted meat from 4,000 lambs, calves, and oxen. To top it all off, there were actual fountains flowing with wine. At one point, the kings even engaged in a wrestling match, which ended with Henry being unceremoniously thrown to the ground.

 

Despite the grandeur, the summit failed to achieve its goal of lasting peace. By 1521, England and France were once again on opposing sides of war.

11. Shah of Iran’s Birthday Party

Kings, queens, and sultans are known for throwing extravagant parties, but it often doesn’t end well for them. You’d think they’d learn, but in 1971, the Shah of Iran didn’t. He hosted a multi-day banquet to celebrate Cyrus the Great’s founding of the Persian Empire, with his own birthday celebration held near the ancient ruins of Persepolis.

The event featured a tent made from 20 miles of silk, French chefs and food, 50,000 imported songbirds, and an extravagant menu that included peacocks and 5,000 wines. The guest list included royals like the Ethiopian Emperor, the prince and princess of Monaco, and over 60 other global leaders.

 

Extravagant displays like this eventually sparked the revolution that removed the Shah from power in 1979.

10. Woodstock

The idea behind Woodstock was to host a four-day music festival on a 600-acre farm in Bethel, New York, in 1969—and they delivered. The festival began on August 15th, featuring 32 major artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, and Grateful Dead.

 

Over 100,000 tickets were sold in advance, but no one expected the crowd to swell to half a million, even with heavy rain. Woodstock became famous for its wild atmosphere, with rampant drinking and other outrageous behavior. It remains legendary as one of the craziest parties in history.

9. Ball of the Burning Man

French Queen Isabeau of Bavaria was known for her expensive tastes, so lavish parties were no surprise. On January 28, 1393, she hosted a grand banquet at Paris’ Hotel Saint-Pol to celebrate her maid-in-waiting’s wedding. The highlight was King Charles VI and five nobles dancing in “wild man” costumes.

Things went wrong when the king’s brother, the Duke of Orleans, arrived drunk with a lit torch. He got too close and ignited one of the resin-coated costumes, setting the dancers on fire. The king’s aunt saved him by covering him with her skirt, but four dancers died in the blaze.

 

Extravagant parties like this were disasters waiting to happen.

8. French Parties for Queen Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was queen of France from 1774 to 1792, infamous for her extravagant lifestyle and indulgence. Known for hosting lavish parties and embracing luxury, she became a symbol of excess during a time of growing unrest.

Her detachment from the struggles of the French people coincided with a period of extreme hardship. As France faced economic and social turmoil, many citizens suffered from starvation and poverty, struggling to survive.

 

Meanwhile, Marie Antoinette continued her luxurious lifestyle, hosting opulent parties for the elite. These displays of privilege highlighted the monarchy’s disconnect from reality and fueled the French Revolution. In 1793, at 37 years old, she was executed, becoming both a symbol and a casualty of France’s downfall.

7. Ancient Egyptian Parties

The Ancient Egyptians knew how to party better than most. The reason we know this today is due to all the legendary things the people of the time are connected to. They loved to have a good time, and drunken, insanely ridiculous parties were massively popular during this time period.

Because people did not discuss the idea of homosexual or straight lifestyles, most parties turned into big orgies just as much as dancing and other things took place. While the Romans were more known for their orgy extravaganzas, the Egyptians were perhaps the most notable outside of the Romans.

Egyptian parties were not just for the random working man. These parties saw several pharaohs, as well as royal children, take part in many of the biggest celebrations.

6. Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party stands as one of the most iconic events that ignited the American Revolutionary War. The catalyst for this defiant act was Britain’s decision to impose taxes on tea imported into America, adding to a long list of levies that had already burdened the colonies. For many colonists, this was the final straw.

In a bold act of protest, American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded British ships and dumped entire barrels of tea into Boston Harbor. This dramatic demonstration not only symbolized their resistance to unjust taxation but also became a defining moment in American history due to its profound impact.

 

Remarkably, despite the intensity of the protest, no lives were lost and no serious injuries were reported—a testament to the event’s focus on making a statement rather than inciting violence.

5. Any Party Louis XIV Threw

Louis the XIV, the “Sun King,” or the “Lavish S.O.B. if Ever There Was One,” lived such an extravagant lifestyle that he arguably bankrupted his own country.

His horrible spending led to the French Revolution several years after his passing. His palace, Versailles, was built so Louis would have a place away from the rabble of Paris where he could have some fun and throw little parties.

By which we mean huge parties — ridiculous parties—that royals from all over Europe flocked to attend. They’d have pyrotechnics that would still impress today, and even chessboards staffed by human “pieces.” On top of this, he’d have meals with dozens of courses. A party at Versailles was the best in the world at the time.

4. The Roaring 20s

If you were alive in America in the 1920s, you would have witnessed a classic case of a cultural backfire. Prohibition created an awesome, debauched party scene.

Speakeasies, aligned with the explosion of Jazz, became a massively popular scene. Mobs surged into power thanks to people’s insatiable desire for booze. This situation made for amazing yet ridiculous parties that you had to see to believe.

The 20s didn’t contain the best of everything, but it certainly had a lot more good than bad most days. Cue the flagpoles sitters dancing the Charleston to Flapper girls dancing! The 20s were a great swingin’ old time. This is because of, but partly in spite of, the 18th amendment, which banned booze as of 1/17/20. It was amended later for obvious reasons.

3. 1829 Inaugural Party

The year was 1829, and the occasion was the inauguration of President Andrew Jackson. At one point, there were upwards of 20,000 people inside and surrounding the White House, and the party seemed only to be getting bigger and wilder. The party kept raging within the executive mansion until someone had the bright idea to move all the booze outside onto the grounds.

This naturally led people to eventually leave the house, which then resulted in many not being allowed back in. Far from being turned off by the party, however, Jackson went on to host several lavish, wild affairs while in office. Never again with 20k guests, though.

2. Ancient Greek Symposiums

The forebears of the Romans in so many ways, the Ancient Greeks were experts on parties too!

The word symposium may today conjure up an ideal image of people meeting to discuss philosophy, the arts, etc. However, back in the day, meaning the 6th, 5th, and 4th centuries B.C., give or take, a party was pretty much about wine. While outright drunkenness was discouraged, hours of continual drinking were encouraged. This made for some crazy, ridiculous parties.

Yes, the Ancient Greeks were the OGs of “getting their buzz on.” A Greek symposium was limited only to men, which seems a shame for both the women and men, but somehow they still had plenty of fun. Enough, apparently, to where one common Ancient Greek idiom was the saying, “hated is the drinker who has a strong memory.”

1. The Romans

While rife with misconceptions, history’s general view of the Ancient Romans as people who knew how to throw a good party is largely accurate. If you were a member of the patrician class, you could count on lavish celebrations during the plural “moveable” feast days. Those were held pretty much whenever the Romans felt like it. There were five to seven of those per year, depending on the century.

Many smaller festivals and holidays dotted each month in the pre-Christian Roman calendar. Many of these events were indeed all-day, all-night food-and-booze athons.

For the record, the feast of Bacchus was usually the year’s biggest party. When you have a god of wine, you celebrate accordingly. As the Roman high class didn’t have to work the fields, serve in the armies (at least as recruited soldiers), or do much at all, what else was there for fun but to have lavish, ridiculous parties?

If you’re more into things than ridiculous parties, click next to read about the world’s most expensive cars.