LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — This year’s winter formal theme is, drum roll please… “Gossip Girl!” Or, moreover, “A Night In New York,” with the event taking place at Hangar 21 in Fullerton. The classy, chic, city-life aesthetic takes the win for this 2026 formal dance. But will it top last year’s “Night in Ibiza”?
The 2007 TV series “Gossip Girl” follows the lives of wealthy teenagers, narrated by an unknown, brutal blogger who reveals the scandalous secrets of Manhattan. This guilty pleasure show makes viewers feel like they’re living the big city life themselves.
“Personally, I love ‘Gossip Girl,’ but I also feel a lot of my friends don’t know what that is, so it might be difficult to prepare for the dance,” said Los Alamitos High School sophomore Esme Justice.
Many students at LAHS have reported not having seen “Gossip Girl.” Will this alter their view of the dance entirely? The show’s target audience is mainly teenage girls; therefore, it is not inclusive to some male students at LAHS. Though the main goals of school dances are to build social skills, create lasting memories and initiate an inclusive environment for students, the niche quality of this theme may backfire on all those intentions.
“I feel the show’s targeted audience is more female than male,” said LAHS junior Ashley Kim.
Possibly a niche audience, but the school has definitely caught the attention of all obsessed fans looking forward to living like Serena and Blair for a night. These students are ready to shine with their fanciest west side looks this winter.
“I think having the formal in an airport hangar is strange, but at the same time it fits the elegant theme and gives a futuristic vibe,” said LAHS junior Vivienne Nicholls.
You heard that right, this year’s winter formal will be in the glamorous setting of an airport hangar in Fullerton. While some believe this to be an interesting and unusual place to hold a formal event, others believe it actually fits the New York style. The urbanity of this may bring a unique touch to a somewhat casual school dance.
Whether inclusive or not, this year’s winter formal theme and location have undoubtedly fascinated and captured the curiosity of LAHS students and will surely create a night they’ll never forget.
Correction: The Winter Formal theme last year was “Night in Ibiza,” not “Winter Wonderland.” This article was edited on Dec. 16 at 10:57 a.m.
