Party brand Meri Meri lists "It's a Kind of Magic" (witchy and fantasy themes with capes, spells and enchanted forests) among its top party trends for 2026, citing Wicked and Disney's upcoming Hexed as influences. Hexed, Walt Disney Animation's original film starring Hailee Steinfeld, opens in US theaters on November 25, 2026.
Capes, spells and enchanted forests are moving from the movie screen to the birthday table. Fantasy party themes have been building all year, and with Disney's original animated film Hexed arriving in theaters over Thanksgiving, the trend looks set for a winter boost.
What's trending
Party supply brand Meri Meri names "It's a Kind of Magic" among its top 10 party trends for 2026. It describes witchy and fantasy themes complete with capes, spells and enchanted forests, and credits the influence of Wicked and Disney's upcoming Hexed. The same list highlights "Whimsical Cakes" with intricate piping, and "Chateaucore," a romantic fairytale style that pairs with princess parties for kids.
Hexed opens in US theaters on November 25, 2026, according to tbreak, citing Disney's film page. Directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Jason Hand, it follows Billie Doe (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), an impulsive teen who discovers magical powers and is pulled into Hexe, the world of witches. The cast also includes Rashida Jones, Jodie Foster as the witch queen Queen Celeste, Walton Goggins, Tracey Ullman and Stephen Fry.
Why it's resonating
Fantasy themes give kids something to be, not just something to look at. A cape, a wand or a crown turns guests into characters, and that's a big part of why dress-up parties stay popular with young children. For parents, "enchanted" is also wonderfully flexible. It can mean witches and potions for one child, and fairy lights and forest creatures for another.
The timing helps too. A Thanksgiving-weekend family movie tends to dominate playground conversation into December, right when winter birthday invitations start going out.
A gentler take: the snowy enchanted forest
Not every family wants spell books and cauldrons, especially for preschoolers. A softer version of the trend leans on the forest half of "enchanted forest": snow-dusted trees, twinkling lights and woodland animals. It keeps the magic and works for any birthday from late November through February.
Think a pastel snowy forest, a tea table set with tiny cups, and forest friends as the guests of honor. Our whimsical winter tea party invitation featuring a fox, bunny and kitten captures that look, and its wording can be edited for any age or occasion.
The bottom line
Fantasy and enchanted-forest themes are among 2026's defining party looks, and Hexed should keep them front of mind through the holidays. For winter birthdays, the trend doesn't have to mean witches. A snowy woodland with a little sparkle delivers the same sense of magic.