20 Fun Photos That'll Have You Longing For The 1980s

Carly Tennes Published 02/11/2025 in wow

Contrary to popular misconception — and the plot of Stranger Things — the '80s weren't all about the Cold War, high ponytails, wood detailing, and cramming as many neon colors as possible into a single outfit. Just ask the Gen X-ers who were there, spending the decade at the lake, by the pool, and even on the slopes.

From fun nights on the town to sweet birthday party snaps, here are 20 fun photos that will have you longing for the 1980s.

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1. Play Ball
“Speaking of '80s, me in the '80s, I loved my sports.”

Courtesy of Honest_Report_8515 on Reddit
2. “Xmas 1982”
“Temperature in the 70s that day in Delaware. Xmas and first day of school were the two days you wore completely new clothes.”

Courtesy of BigBlackSabbathFlag on Reddit
3. Gift Wrapped
“Christmas morning in the mid-1980s (Houston, TX).”

Courtesy of FatsyCline12 on Reddit
4. Camp Out
“My mother and my late father on a camping trip in Maine - late 1970s / early 1980s.”

Courtesy of dweebdog on Reddit
5. Park Fare
“1980s Family Picnic - Austria.”

Courtesy of ItsIdaho on Reddit
6. All Downhill
“My grandma and grandpa on skiing vacation with friends in Switzerland during the 1960s.”

Courtesy of frame_whisperer on Reddit
7. Best Men
“1982, my grandfather & his best friend on New Year's.”

Courtesy of Bxstargazer on Reddit
8. Your Move
“Friday night at the bar, 1982.”

Courtesy of TransitionCautious44 on Reddit
9. Party On
“Beer, big hair, and birthday cake (1982).”

Courtesy of blonderengel on Reddit
10. Pool Party
“Old Film of a Pool party in the 1980s.”

Courtesy of Heirloom-Cloud on Reddit
11. Corny Costumes
“My parents in the early 80s at a Halloween Party. Forget money, I wish I could inherit that Corn costume.”

Courtesy of Trowj on Reddit
12. Santa Baby
“Nana and Mom at a Dillards Christmas party in the ‘80s.”

Courtesy of KilaWale51 on Reddit
13. The Droids You’re Looking For
“My Kindergarten Halloween party. Early '80s. I'm the stormtrooper.”

Courtesy of BeaversAndButtholes on Reddit
14. Biker Dudes
“My dad and his friends in the ‘80s.”

Courtesy of an unknown Redditor
15. The Great Outdoors
“Camping 1986. The 80’s baby!!”

Courtesy of mostly_terry on Reddit
16. Lake Life
“1984. My dad liked to wear short shorts. This is a rare photo of him not smiling. He loved the great outdoors. Love ya Dad!”

Courtesy of angnkam on Reddit
17. Fresh Air, Fresh Fits
“Photo of my Folks hiking Big Bend in the early ‘80s, love my old man's fashion sense.”

Courtesy of SeaCowWesternflyer on Reddit
18. Rocking Out
“My mom with her Walkman in the ‘80s.”

Courtesy of Madlolling36 on Reddit
19. “Hiking date ‘80s”
“Cousin and his (now) wife hiking in Shenandoah in ’84 or ’85.”

Courtesy of ElliotAndThe123s on Reddit
20. Ride On
“My dad and his motorcycle sometime in the ‘80s.”

Courtesy of scbrenner98 on Reddit

1. Play Ball
Courtesy of Honest_Report_8515 on Reddit

“Speaking of '80s, me in the '80s, I loved my sports.”
2. “Xmas 1982”
Courtesy of BigBlackSabbathFlag on Reddit

“Temperature in the 70s that day in Delaware. Xmas and first day of school were the two days you wore completely new clothes.”
3. Gift Wrapped
Courtesy of FatsyCline12 on Reddit

“Christmas morning in the mid-1980s (Houston, TX).”
4. Camp Out
Courtesy of dweebdog on Reddit

“My mother and my late father on a camping trip in Maine - late 1970s / early 1980s.”
5. Park Fare
Courtesy of ItsIdaho on Reddit

“1980s Family Picnic - Austria.”
6. All Downhill
Courtesy of frame_whisperer on Reddit

“My grandma and grandpa on skiing vacation with friends in Switzerland during the 1960s.”
7. Best Men
Courtesy of Bxstargazer on Reddit

“1982, my grandfather & his best friend on New Year's.”
8. Your Move
Courtesy of TransitionCautious44 on Reddit

“Friday night at the bar, 1982.”
9. Party On
Courtesy of blonderengel on Reddit

“Beer, big hair, and birthday cake (1982).”
10. Pool Party
Courtesy of Heirloom-Cloud on Reddit

“Old Film of a Pool party in the 1980s.”
11. Corny Costumes
Courtesy of Trowj on Reddit

“My parents in the early 80s at a Halloween Party. Forget money, I wish I could inherit that Corn costume.”
12. Santa Baby
Courtesy of KilaWale51 on Reddit

“Nana and Mom at a Dillards Christmas party in the ‘80s.”
13. The Droids You’re Looking For
Courtesy of BeaversAndButtholes on Reddit

“My Kindergarten Halloween party. Early '80s. I'm the stormtrooper.”
14. Biker Dudes
Courtesy of an unknown Redditor

“My dad and his friends in the ‘80s.”
15. The Great Outdoors
Courtesy of mostly_terry on Reddit

“Camping 1986. The 80’s baby!!”
16. Lake Life
Courtesy of angnkam on Reddit

“1984. My dad liked to wear short shorts. This is a rare photo of him not smiling. He loved the great outdoors. Love ya Dad!”
17. Fresh Air, Fresh Fits
Courtesy of SeaCowWesternflyer on Reddit

“Photo of my Folks hiking Big Bend in the early ‘80s, love my old man's fashion sense.”
18. Rocking Out
Courtesy of Madlolling36 on Reddit

“My mom with her Walkman in the ‘80s.”
19. “Hiking date ‘80s”
Courtesy of ElliotAndThe123s on Reddit

“Cousin and his (now) wife hiking in Shenandoah in ’84 or ’85.”
20. Ride On
Courtesy of scbrenner98 on Reddit

“My dad and his motorcycle sometime in the ‘80s.”