Pizza night is a tradition in a lot of homes, and it does not take much to make it feel special. A little planning turns an ordinary takeout dinner into something the family looks forward to all week, or into an easy, relaxed evening with friends.

Here are some pizza night ideas for different occasions, plus a few tips to keep things simple.

The best pizza nights are the ones where everyone is at the table together.

Family Movie Night

Pizza and a movie is a classic for good reason. To make it feel like an event:

  • Vote on the film. Let each family member suggest a movie and take a vote. The loser picks the pizza toppings.
  • Eat first, then watch. Pizza and a dark room can get messy. Eat at the table, then move to the couch for dessert or popcorn.
  • Make it a living-room picnic. Spread a blanket on the floor and eat picnic-style. Kids love it.
  • Choose easy-to-eat food. Slices are easier than saucy wings once the lights are down.

Game Night

Board games, card games and pizza go together well, as long as you protect the game pieces from greasy fingers.

  • Keep food and games apart. Set up a separate food table and take breaks between rounds.
  • Pick less messy sides. Garlic strips with cheese and fries are easier than saucy wings when there are cards on the table.
  • Have napkins and wipes ready. Simple, but it saves a lot of sticky cards.
  • Make the pizza part of the game. Winner of the first round chooses the topping for next week.

Sports Night

Whether it is hockey, football or the playoffs, a big game is one of the busiest pizza nights of the year.

  • Order before the game starts. Pizzerias get busy right before big games, so call early to have food ready for the start.
  • Go for pizza and wings. A combo covers everyone. Order one mild and one hot wing flavour. Our guide to pairing pizza and wings has ideas.
  • Plan for halftime. If the group is big, consider a second smaller order or keep a pizza warm in a low oven, out of the box.

Pizza Taste-Test Night

Turn dinner into a friendly competition:

  • Everyone picks one topping. Combine them on one pizza, or order a few smaller pizzas and compare.
  • Try something new. Order a specialty pizza nobody has tried before, such as the Philly Cheese Steak, Sweet Chili Chicken Thai or Chicken Alfredo.
  • Score each pizza. Rate taste, toppings and crust out of ten and crown a winner.

Need inspiration? Our guide to popular pizza toppings covers the combinations that work.

Casual Celebrations

Pizza is the easiest way to mark a small win:

  • A good report card or the end of exams
  • The last game of a sports season
  • A birthday with a few friends
  • Moving day, when the kitchen is still in boxes
  • The end of a long week

For bigger celebrations, our pizza party planning guide and portion planning table will help you order the right amount.

Backyard or Park Pizza Night

On warm evenings, take pizza night outside. Pick up your order and head to the backyard or a local park with a blanket, plates and drinks. Keep pizza boxes flat in the car, and remember that leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours, or sooner on a hot day.

Pizza Night on a Budget

A regular pizza night does not have to be expensive. A few habits help the money go further:

  • Size up instead of doubling up. One larger pizza often costs less than two smaller ones with the same toppings. Compare sizes on the menu before you order.
  • Use combos. Bundles that include wings, fries or pop usually cost less than ordering each item separately. See the current pizza deals.
  • Keep it simple some weeks. True to the name, a medium cheese pizza at Franko's 12 Buck Pizza is twelve dollars.
  • Pick it up. Pickup orders have no delivery charge.
  • Plan the leftovers. An extra slice or two makes tomorrow's lunch, which stretches the order further.

Keep Pizza Night Easy

  • Make it a regular night. Pick the same night each week or month so it becomes a tradition.
  • Save your favourite order. Keep a note of what everyone likes so ordering takes two minutes.
  • Choose pickup or delivery. Pickup has no delivery charge, while delivery means nobody has to leave the house. Our takeout and delivery pages explain the details.
  • Plan for leftovers. Our takeout and reheating tips show how to keep them tasting good.

Whatever the occasion, the best pizza nights are the ones where everyone is at the table, or on the living-room floor, together.

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