Summertime Entertaining Guide: How to Host an Outdoor Party

From casual picnics and classic barbecues to alfresco summer soirees, follow our tips and ideas for how to host an outdoor party your guests will love. Outdoor entertaining peaks in the summer months, when sunny skies, warm temperatures, and long days draw you outside to enjoy everything the season has to offer. Our Entertaining Guide includes fun, easy ideas for throwing summer parties outdoors, plus tips for making any backyard bash go off without a hitch. 

Outdoor Party Ideas for Summer Entertaining

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas for garden parties, backyard barbecues, and alfresco celebrations for warm, sunny days. Start here to find inspiration for your next outdoor gathering. 

Throw a Themed Picnic

An outdoor picnic is the perfect way to celebrate summer. Set the scene by spreading weather-resistant tablecloths around your backyard to double as picnic blankets; they’ll hold up against damp grass and dirt stains. Then, take your backyard party to the next level with a surprising or playful picnic theme:  

  • Picnic Day Party: Mark the holiday, observed on June 18, by inviting family or neighbors for a low-key dinner outdoors. Serve sandwiches, cold salads, and other classic picnic foods, or have everyone bring a dish and celebrate International Picnic Day potluck-style. 
  • International Inspiration: Transport yourself to the Tuscan countryside, Hyde Park, or the banks of the Seine with an internationally inspired menu for your garden party. Serve cheeses, fruits, and cured meats charcuterie style; opt for small finger sandwiches popular at a British afternoon tea; or make focaccia sandwiches and Aperol Spritzes for an Italian-esque event. 
  • Fresh-Air Dessert: Instead of dinner, host a dessert picnic. Set up a popcorn bar with plenty of toppings and candy, have guests roast s’mores, or serve ice cream with sundae toppings. Then, pop a classic movie on the big screen and let everyone get comfy: Scatter patio pillows, poufs, or extra cushions across picnic blankets for the perfect lounging setup. 
Gingham and floral mix and match table linens

Take Planned Summer Parties Outside

With tableware, linens, and comfortable seating, you can transform your home’s outdoor living space into an ideal event venue. Bridal showers, baby showers, and Mother’s Day brunches lend themselves to a garden-party setting, and fresh blooms, colorful solar lanterns, and lovely floral linens drive the theme home. For a graduation party or going-away gathering, deck out the porch or patio in colors that allude to the guest of honor’s next step, whether that’s a college of choice, a new country to explore, or a job promotion. This could be as simple as cloth napkins in complementing shades, or as involved as hanging color-coordinated lanterns from branches around the yard to create the perfect backdrop for photos or games. 

Don't Forget Summer Holidays

Chances are that when you picture the perfect Memorial Day, Labor Day, or Fourth of July party, you’re imagining something outdoors. Embrace classic cookout vibes and create the right atmosphere for these annual holidays by swapping your year-round decor for patio pillows in patriotic red, white, or blue. An on-theme coir door mat in a holiday-inspired design can welcome guests with a festive first impression. Planning to party well into the night? Strategically strung solar lights keep celebrations illuminated even after sunset. 

coir door mat with dog and beach pail

Host a Weekly Happy Hour

If your outdoor living space is your favorite place to spend evenings during summertime, show it off with a weekly happy hour that continues throughout the season. This backyard party approach can be as relaxed or formal as you’d like, but for simplicity’s sake, we recommend keeping it lowkey: Invite friends, family, and neighbors to come as they’re able and bring an appetizer along, then stock up on wine, beer, mocktails, and other drinks to share with whoever shows up. Outdoor lanterns, citronella candles, and solar-powered string lights create a laid-back summer social environment. 

Serve Dinner Under the Stars

Eating outside under the twinkle of starlight makes a shared meal feel even more special. Host your next summertime dinner party outside for a fun spin on a classic gathering. Hang string lights across the dining area, set the table with beautiful, weather-resistant outdoor table linens, and serve the meal on durable melamine tableware. We carry shatterproof plates, platters, and drinking glasses in a range of colors and designs, so you can find a combination that fits the mood of your fête. Taper candles and small vases create a simple, stunning centerpiece when interspersed among serving dishes, enhancing the atmosphere for the entire evening. 

Lounge chairs with sunbrella cushions and pillows

How to Host a Backyard Party

Once you’ve decided on a party theme or type, it’s time to start planning. Follow these entertaining tips and learn how to host an unforgettable backyard gathering. 

  1. Keep outdoor entertaining essentials on hand. While some summer parties may be planned, it’s just as likely lovely weather will have you hosting a last-minute event in the open air. Have the basics on hand—think durable dinnerware and serveware made from break-resistant melamine, outdoor linens you can pull out to set the table in seconds, and eco-friendly string lights powered by the sun—so you’re ready to host on a whim. 
  2. Make sure you have enough seating. If you’re hosting a sit-down dinner, each guest needs a chair. For casual gatherings, a good rule is to have seats enough for at least ⅓ to ½ of the guest list—and assume most guests will alternate between sitting and standing throughout the party. Supplement existing outdoor furniture with versatile pieces that pull double-duty. Storage benches, poufs, garden stools, and even sturdy coffee tables can serve as seating in a pinch. 
  3. Prioritize comfort. Expert hosts know their guests’ comfort should be top of mind when outfitting an outdoor space for entertaining. If your yard is short on shade, invest in a patio umbrella that blocks the sun’s bright rays. Accessorize your patio furniture with comfortable, supportive cushions and extra pillows. For poolside gatherings, put out extra beach towels in case guests forget their own; roll and store towels in a sturdy storage basket that won’t detract from other decor. 
  4. Get the lighting right. If you’re hosting an evening party, prepare for festivities to last into the night—starting with a well-lit space. String lights, hanging or tabletop lanterns, and other solar-powered fixtures are eco-friendly, low-maintenance ways to add extra illumination. Bonus: They come on automatically at twilight for simplicity. 
  5. Add games and activities to keep guests entertained. While engaging conversation and good food are a draw for any party, many people will have more fun if there’s something to do. Cornhole, bocce, and other outdoor games keep them busy and help them enjoy the season. 
  6. Create a menu to match the mood. For formal dinner parties held outdoors, serve plated dishes that fit your desired ambiance. To make it more casual, opt for the same menu enjoyed as a family-style meal. In contrast, a backyard barbecue is the perfect setting for bags of chips and familiar side dishes guests can grab and enjoy while they mix and mingle. Parties scheduled outside of mealtime hours still need food and drinks, but don’t overthink it: All you need is a selection of snacks or finger foods for grazing. 

Whether throwing casual dinners, last-minute get-togethers, or a well-planned party, embrace summer entertaining with our tips and ideas for hosting outdoor gatherings. For more advice on designing a home that’s ideal for entertaining, explore our other Guides.