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The Playboy Midsummer Night’s Dream party is the stuff of legend. Held nearly annually at the Playboy Mansion since 1977 (with occasional offshoot parties in Las Vegas), the world-famous fêtes teem with celebrities, Playmates and other lucky guests—everyone wearing the requisite lingerie or pajamas. (In addition to pipes and Pepsi, Hugh Hefner adored pajamas, so it was natural for him to throw a party revolving around their unique charm.)
The inaugural Midsummer Night’s Dream bash, whose theme nods to Shakespeare’s ethereal and enchanting play of the same name, was held on August 26, 1977. On the resplendent Mansion grounds, decorated to evoke a fairytale-like delight, attendees (including U.S. Representative Barry Goldwater Jr.) enjoyed abundant dining, music and dancing—not to mention the sight of one another in their finest sleepwear.
The famed summer party actually has its roots in winter. On December 31, 1973, Hefner hosted his first New Year’s Eve pajama party at the Mansion. Some guests found the invitation’s request that they come attired in “night clothes” somewhat mysterious, but once they arrived at the party in full swing—visitors frolicking in teddies, chemises and more (and less)—it made perfect sense. After four years of successful New Year’s Eve pajama parties, Hef decided to expand the tradition of silky sleepwear get-togethers, adding a summertime soiree.
Each Midsummer gala is a night to remember—made even more so by the lingerie that lingers in the imagination and the lingerie that exists only in the imagination (we’re talking about the legendary Painted Ladies, who wear nothing but painted-on costumes). Countless household names have been Midsummer guests, including George Clooney, Steve Martin, Gene Simmons, Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Carrey, Berry Gordy, Halsey and so many more—including psychedelic philosopher Timothy Leary, who at the 1979 party declared, “I think Hefner is one of the four great cultural influences on America.” We would have to agree.
