Are you missing all of your friends from growing up? Thinking about that person you used to date and wondering what they’re up to?
High school reunions are a special occasion to see those who meant the world to you when you were growing up that you’ve since lost touch with overtime. They’re full of reminiscing, sharing classic stories, and catching up on what’s new.
But if you haven’t had one recently or ever, you may be wondering: when is my next high school reunion? In this article, you’ll get to know the typical reunion years, what to expect at each reunion, and more important details like common themes. Let’s dive in!
When Do High School Reunions Usually Happen?
| Key Takeaways – Frequency of reunions: High school reunions typically happen every 5 to 10 years, starting with a 5-year reunion and continuing at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and even 60+ years after graduation. – Time of year: Reunions usually take place in summer or early fall, aligning with school breaks, vacation time, and holiday weekends like Thanksgiving or Christmas. – Each reunion has a different vibe: 5 and 10 year reunions are more casual, while 20+ year reunions become more sentimental, formal, and nostalgic. – Popular reunion themes: “Then & Now” photo boards, class year nostalgia, decade throwbacks, and tribute memorials for classmates who have passed are all common reunion themes. |
High school reunions usually happen every 5 to 10 years, based off of the date you graduated high school. For example, if you graduated in 2002, your 5-year reunion would’ve likely been in 2007 and your 10-year reunion in 2012, etc.
As you get older, reunions become a special way to reconnect with the people you graduated with and learn more about how they’ve spent their lives. You’ll notice them grow increasingly sentimental and nostalgic as you age and start making it out to 20, 30, 40, or even 50+-year reunions.
What Time of Year are Class Reunions?
The summer or early-fall are typically when high school reunions take place.
Summer is great for people who need to take time off of work to travel to the reunion. Fall is a beautiful time of year to host it as well, but keep in mind (especially for your 10 and 20-year reunions) that people may be busy and unable to attend if their young kids are freshly back in school.
You could also consider a late-fall, early winter reunion to align with popular breaks in the year like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Tip: if you’re planning a reunion, consider using Classmates® to message your old schoolmates and run a poll around ideal dates. You ultimately should pick a time of year that works best for the majority of your graduating class.
Typical Class Reunion Timeline
Usually schools have a 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60+-year reunion, with some classes opting into every 5 years rather than every 10.
Here’s everything to know about each reunion:
5-Year Reunion
Wow, it’s been 5 years already. Many of your peers have completed their undergraduate degrees, and have entered the workforce or begun a masters program.
This will be a less-formal event and an absolute blast when you’re catching up with people about their college experiences and early adulthood.
Common Themes & Activities
Everyone’s 21! Five-year reunions are usually casual gatherings hosted at a local restaurant/bar or brewery. Typical ideas include:
- “College & Careers” catch-up mixers
- Yearbook photo booths or “where are they now” boards
- Music playlists from your senior year
What to Expect
Think ‘chill.’ You’re all young and living through one of the funnest times of your life. Catch up with friends you might’ve seen fairly recently but that are going through exciting steps to advance their careers.
10-Year Reunion
As young become less of a young adult and more of just an adult-adult, you and your peers have even more to catch up on. What is life like after Kevin’s masters program? How is Jenna doing since moving to New York City for work?
As people are making more money and advancing their careers, this may be a slightly less-formal event, but you can likely expect to still keep things pretty casual at a restaurant or bar.
What to Expect
- ‘Then & Now’ photos: You won’t believe how different some people look after a decade!
- Career/life updates: your peers are in long-term relationships and may have moved elsewhere. Expect to get a lot of updates on where people are at in their lives.
20-Year Reunion
By your twenty-year reunion, people’s lives have settled into more defined paths. Career and lifestyle choices have been made, and the majority of your class is likely married and has kids.
Still, you’ll be surprised to see how different some people look and pivots they may have made in their 30s vs. their 20s.
At this point, with most people having more disposable income and looking for an excuse to go out, you can expect a more formal reunion at a higher-ed venue.
What to Expect
- Lots of family photos: between weddings and kid-updates, you can expect LOTS of pictures as you get filled in on your friends’ lives.
- Genuine connection: life is less about keeping tabs on each other’s lives, and instead just reminiscing on the good old days.
30-Year Reunion
The 30-year reunion is about celebrating life’s middle chapters. You’ve lived through decades of growth, and this gathering offers a moment to slow down, laugh, and look back at where it all started.
Popular Themes
- ‘Back to the ‘90s or 2000s’ nostalgic-theme, depending on when you graduated.
- Getting fancier: you and your peers deserve a nice night out. Life is busy. Your class will likely treat itself to a formal outing.
- Memorial board: you can expect a tribute to some of your schoolmates that are no longer with us.
40-Year Reunion
At this point, your whole class has lived a lifetime of important milestones. Appreciate enduring friendships and timeless stories from over the years with your closest peers from where it all began.
You can expect a sentimental, community-oriented reunion experience. There may be formal events meant to highlight your class’ lasting legacy.
50-Year Reunion
Wow, half a century since you graduated high school! You and your peers have earned a celebration. Reflect on life with your peers and honor bonds that have lasted a generation.
Nostalgia at its finest. Future reunions like your 55th and 60th reunions will likely have a similar look and feel to this one.
Is a High School Reunion Worth Attending?
Classmates may be biased as a reunion planning website, but anyone that’s attended will usually agree that yes, they’re worth attending!
- Find out what your old high school friends have been up to: Are they married with kids? Have they landed impressive gigs? This is a chance to get the scoop and share details on your own life.
- Take your significant other: your husband or wife loves hearing about your childhood experiences. This is your chance to introduce your significant other to the people that mattered to you growing up, and fill them in on some funny (and possibly embarrassing) stories from your youth.
- Discuss classic memories: tell old inside jokes, reminisce on the fun times. This is your chance to reflect on some of your favorite experiences in your youth, and even remember hilarious stories you might’ve forgotten.
- Get personalized reunion gear: your old class photo is a trip! Get it on a mug or t-shirt to appreciate for years to come.
- See hilarious yearbook photos: your high school yearbook may be available on Classmates. Reunion planners can find hilarious class portraits, candid shots, class photos online to use for merch and decorations.
- Get closure: Someone you couldn’t stand in high school very well could’ve grown into a completely different person today. It can be inspiring to see how people grew up and changed for the better.
- Take a trip: Did you move across the country? Take a literal trip down memory lane with this great excuse to revisit your old stomping grounds.
Make Classmates Your Go-To Reunion Website
Classmates make planning your reunion simple! Send out messages to your entire high school Class List to pick a date and RSVP, share important updates, and see a full list of attendees.
Plan your reunion for free on Classmates today.
High School Reunion FAQs
Who Plans High School Reunions?
Usually the class president and a group of volunteers plan a high school reunion. The specific people in charge may change over the years depending on who’s interested, still lives close by to your hometown, and available.
Can You Attend High School Reunions Virtually?
Yes, Classmates offers virtual reunions, so that those who can’t make it face-to-face can still catch up with their peers.
To plan your reunion on Classmates for free, register, simply create the reunion event, set a date and time, and invite your entire alumni list in just a few clicks.
When Do High School Reunions Start?
Classes typically have their first reunion 5 to 10 years after graduating. A 5-year reunion is great for catching up on college and your late-teens/early 20s, whereas a 10-year is a great chance to see people’s career and life paths.
Should You Attend Your Reunion?
Yes, your high school reunion is a worthwhile experience to attend, so that you can catch up with your peers, appreciate milestones in your lives, and reflect on special memories from your childhood.
What to Wear to a Reunion?
The appropriate outfit to wear to a class reunion is truly dependent on the theme. In earlier years, things may be more casual, whereas as you get older and people have more disposable income a formal event may make more sense.
Find your perfect reunion outfit in the High School Class Reunion Outfit Ideas for Men & Women guide.
Sources
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- https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/laughing-at-old-memories-gm2162029151-582442298#
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- https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/multi-generational-group-of-people-smiling-at-camera-outside-park-city-during-summer-gm1625310690-532027446#
- https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/welcome-home-group-gm483771165-35620324#
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- https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/exterior-view-of-a-typical-american-school-building-gm1317007945-404573495#
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