I recently started to rewatch the original Gilmore Girls series on Netflix – in fact, I just finished the “I smell snow” episode (season 1, episode 8). When queuing up the next episode, I noticed that Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was trending on Netflix. But why? The Gilmore Girls revival aired back in 2016 so why is it trending in 2020? We’ll talk more about that below. If you’ve never watched the four-part Netflix original, keep reading for our ultimate Gilmore Girls Viewing Party experience! This post has been updated for 2020 and contains affiliate links.
Gilmore Girls on the CW
Gilmore Girls will be back on the CW on November 23, 2020! To celebrate the original show’s 20th anniversary, the CW will air Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. This will be the first time the Netflix original mini-series will run on network television and the four-part series will be shown throughout that week.
Am I the only one having a hard time accepting it has been twenty years since we were introduced to Stars Hallow?
Read the Deadline announcement plus find out how you can watch it for free if you don’t have Netflix.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Season 2
Will there be a Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life season 2? There has been recent chatter that there could be a follow-up to the revival series. Amy Sherman-Palladino says there is always a possibility but also a few roadblocks in this October 2020 TV Line article.



Even Lauren Graham wrote in her own memoir that she believed Rory’s announcement at the end of A Year in the Life was definitely setting things up for a season 2.
Buy Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and everything in between).
Gilmore Girls Watch Party
If you’re watching Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life for the first time (or a second, or third – no one is judging you here), you’ve got to make it a proper Gilmore experience. We’re sharing all the fun things you should surround yourself with for the ultimate Gilmore Girls revival viewing party!
Ranking Rory’s Boyfriends
Where are you on Rory’s boyfriends? All three of Rory’s loves appear in A Year in the Life. Do you have a favorite? Yes, you have to choose. Yes, there is a right answer. #NeverDean #LoganForever
Spolier alert: Who is Rory’s baby’s father? This is why we need a season 2, right?
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Rewatching the original Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls Decorations
A Gilmore Girls party must have the iconic images we remember so fondly from the show. Stash those cell phones so you can give the Lorelai and Rory your full attention. We’re not sure we’ll adhere to this one, but we sure do love this nod to Luke’s Diner.
You might want to be sure to have plenty of tissues on hand, because the loss of Richard Gilmore alone is enough to make me weep right now.
Gilmore Girls Watch Party Menu
Basically anything you have a lot of will suffice. We think you should eat like a Gilmore while watching the Gilmores so we’ll be choosing our favorite takeout along with a box of donuts and probably a stash of leftover Halloween candy. Even coffee (lots of it) and Pop Tarts would be perfection. Or go big and make a Santa hamburger like Luke made for Lorelai in season one.
Did you know there are Gilmore Girls cookbooks? Click any cookbook photo below to shop from Amazon.
Fun Gilmore Girls Games
Watching is the main event, but how about an activity that you can combine along with the watching. These Gilmore Girls Bingo cards, from Etsy shop Milk & Honey, will make your watch party a truly immersive experience!
Party favors for a Gilmore Girls Party
While candy is the obvious choice for a party favor, perhaps served in a Chinese take out box, a la Al’s Pancake World, we also love some of the sweet ideas available on Etsy and linked above!
I can’t believe it’s been fours years since I watched the revival episodes. Will you watch Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life again when it airs on the CW? Or will you rewatch the original series like I am and then watch the four-part Netflix series afterwards?
Related: Gilmore Girls Planner Stickers
Thanks so much for the feature!! I personally can not wait to throw my viewing party!