Michaels is doubling down on becoming a party planner’s all-in-one resource by expanding assortments at The Party Shop at Michaels by 60%, adding nearly 600 new products throughout 2026. The crafts retailer also has added a new piñata category and is rolling out enhanced DIY bars, where shoppers can create customized party favors or build dessert displays at The Candy Bar.
The piñatas will be available in a wide range of designs, from sports to classic smiley faces, complemented by a variety of bagged candy fillers. Michaels’ Favor Bars allow shoppers to mix and match trend-forward items, including beauty treats like face masks and lip balm, bachelorette-ready gift sets and playful items like glitter drink mixes and playing cards.
Michaels also has enhanced the Balloon Bar experience in its stores, using its experience inflating more than 17 million balloons in 2025 alone to offer exclusive designs, pre-made bouquets and balloon accessories. The retailer also has lowered the price of in-store birthday parties to $149, down from $299.
“At Michaels, we believe the joy of celebrating should begin the moment you start planning,” said Davie Boone, CEO at Michaels in a statement. “As North America’s ultimate celebration destination, we are committed to being the true one-stop shop, delivering a differentiated selection and exclusive experiences that empower our customers to transform any milestone into something truly extraordinary.”
Michaels made its first major move into party retailing in April 2025 as it sought to step into the gap created by the demise of Party City earlier that year. Michaels expanded the assortments of The Party Shop shop-in-shops in September 2025, including the addition of a Balloon Bar in every store.
For its part, Party City has been resurrected at more than 700 Staples stores and online. Party City had closed its own brick-and-mortar stores following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2024.
