25 Easy Summer Party Ideas for Hosting Big and Small Gatherings
We have super-easy summer party ideas, including summer party decorating, menus and activities.
Gather inspiration for a casual outdoor gathering from one of our easy summer party ideas. Whether a no-fuss dinner on the deck or a festive taco buffet, your summer party options are endless. We have tips and suggestions for recipes, decorations, and everything else you need for a perfect summer soirée.
Related: 6 Outdoor Living Trends Experts Predict for 2024
Dinner in the Garden
Invite List: 6-8
Guest Type: Your coupled friends
Make the most of a gorgeous summer evening by taking a casual dinner party outside. Create an intimate space in the corner of your yard with a patio table, and dress up plastic chairs with small pillows for added comfort. Keep the area lit with string lanterns (leave them out all season long!), and set the table with single-stem flowers in tinted glass vases.
Related: How to Clean Outdoor Cushions and Pillows
Dessert and Coffee
Invite list: 4-5
Guest type: Book club members
Want to host a simple summer party? Go the dessertand coffee route. Just pull up a coffee table to a comfy outdoor seating area and set up a spread of light desserts and your single-serve coffee maker. This summer party idea is perfect for a book club or just having the neighbors over.
Watermelon Party
Invite list: 6-8
Guest type: Fruit lovers
Keep this celebration sweet! Watermelon is quintessentially summer, and it's so versatile that it makes the perfect party theme. Embrace the versatility by featuring the fruit as the main food and even the decoration inspiration. Use plastic plates and acrylic cups (like this Better Homes & Garden 14-ounce Acrylic Tumbler, $2, Walmart) as they won't shatter if dropped on the patio.
Related: 20 Fresh Watermelon Recipes to Satisfy Your Summer Cravings
Backyard Berry Buffet
Invite list: 10-12
Guest type: Friends and family
Elegant and easy, this berry-inspired bash is the perfect way to welcome summer. Start by sending watercolor invites and dyeing an old tablecloth in muted flowery hues. Peonies, candles, and baskets of berries decorate the table. Pair berry-themed decor with a seasonal, make-ahead menu full of farm-fresh foods and sweets. Plus, serving the food buffet style lets you nibble and mingle while your guests help themselves. Then, send guests off with Strawberry Meringue Cookies.
Related: Grow the Most Gorgeous Peonies with These Must-Know Tips
Tropical Party
Invite list: 4-6
Guest type: Vacation buddies
Bring paradise to your own backyard! Add fresh fruit, cool drinks, and bright flowers to set the tropical atmosphere and make the ultimate summer party centerpiece! Use a beverage dispenser (similar to this Better Homes & Gardens Embossed Beverage Dispenser, $17, Walmart) to serve a fruit punch so you don't have to worry about refilling drinks during the party.
Pool Party
Invite list: 8-10
Guest type: Best pals
Encourage your friends to channel their inner mermaid with a grown-up pool party. This casual and relaxed get-together is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day. Serve snacks that are easy to eat while you dip your toes in the water—fresh finger foods fill the bill perfectly. Place drinks on ice in a metal bucket (like this Better Homes & Gardens White Small Galvanized Oval Tub, $9, Walmart) near the pool.
Related: Our Best No-Cook Appetizers for Easy Party Prep
Grilled Brunch Party
Invite list: 6-8
Guest type: Friends from out of town
Nothing says summer quite like the aroma of grilling. And a leisurely brunch truly is a part of those easy-breezy summertime pleasures (few things are better than a gooey, warm, grilled donut). So why not combine the two? Spend a weekend day grilling with friends and enjoying each other's company.
Related: The 6 Best Propane Grills of 2024, According to Testing
Beach Getaway at Home
Invite list: 6-8
Guest type: Your best friends
It's easier than you think to escape to a beach-inspired party in the comfort of your backyard. Set up a low table and seat guests on colorful floor cushions. Serve easy-prep appetizers, such as heirloom tomato salad, veggies with dip, and ice-cold drinks. Set a palm frond in a decorative vase to match the party theme, and light up the table with candles so the party continues long after the sun sets.
Related: How to Make Twisted Taper Candles
Grown-Up Ice Cream Social
Invite list: 10-12
Guest type: Your sweetest neighbors
Good news: Ice cream socials aren't just for kids! Put a grown-up spin on a summertime classic with an a la mode bar. Put out baked goods, like pie and fresh-baked cookies, and toppings, like homemade jam and chocolate syrup. Then, have guests adorn their desserts with the ice cream and toppings. Add a few cooling cocktails—maybe even a bottle of bubbly—and you have a casual summer gathering that will last well into the evening.
Related: 21 Healthy Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Recipes to Beat the Heat
Trail Mix Bar Party
Invite list: 10-12
Guest type: Family friends
Yes, trail mix is deserving of its own summer party! Let all of your mix components serve a dual purpose as a decorative display. This is the time to use those coordinating bowls that are too cute for everyday use: What needs a bigger bowl—the healthy nuts or the chocolate chips?
Tip
Custom trail mix also makes a perfect party favor, and you can tack this activity onto any party. Provide cute jars, decorative bags, or reuse plastic containers for guests to take home their perfect combination.
Bright Flower Party
Invite list: 4
Guest type: Your flower-loving friends
Bright and colorful, this cheery summer party idea celebrates the beauty of flowers. Set the table with in-season blooms, candles, and umbrella-topped drinks for a sunny escape. Show guests to their seats with personalized flowered placeholders and patterned napkins.
Travel-Theme Party
Invite list: 10-12
Guest type: Everyone
Whether you're gushing over a recent trip to Paris or fantasizing about a far-off visit to Bali, a travel party is a perfect way to get away at home. Keep things authentic by serving fare that's signature to your destination of choice. Showcase trip highlights or bucket-list locales in basic, inexpensive picture frames. Journals, photo albums, and favorite souveneirs are also perfect for sharing.
Related: Halo-Halo (Filipino Shaved Ice Dessert)
Campout
Invite list: 8-10
Guest type: Friends with kids
Who says you need woods to camp? Individual s'mores kits, a ground-level table, campfire tunes, and picnic-friendly blankets round out this backyard campout. Have guests swap ghost stories around the campsite or spark a lively bonfire in your yard. Throw a few foil packs on the grill to make it a casual dinner party.
Chill Happy Hour
Invite list: 5-7
Guest type: Workout buddies
Escape summer's sweltering heat with a super laid-back happy hour sure to recharge. Hanging globe lights and a display of greenery help bring the patio inside. Showcase airy branches in whatever vases you have on hand. Play with size and shape to add dimension. Stick to a cooled-off menu with items like fresh veggies, purchased breadsticks, and plenty of summer sips on ice. Keep an extra water pitcher on hand—we like ours filled with lemon, cucumber, and mint!
Related: 5 Easy Charcuterie Ideas that Feed a Crowd
Coastal Escape
Invite List: 12-14
Guest Type: Visiting family and friends
East Coast, West Coast, or no coast—anyone can enjoy a sea-inspired summer party with our tasty menu and a few tropical touches. Fanned-out leaf fronds make a clever table runner, while vibrant flowers add a sunny splash of color. Complete the beachy theme by serving food in shell-shaped dishes and sticking to hues in corals, oranges, and blues.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar Party
Invite list: 10-12
Guest type: Friends and kiddos
It's just not summer without ice cream! So have some pals and their little ones over for a sundae soiree and go all out with the toppings bar. Bring together all your favorite salty, sweet, and even savory flavors. Plus, explore creative ways to display your toppings—we're obsessed with how cute sprinkles look in a muffin tin.
Related: 21 Healthy Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Recipes to Beat the Heat
Easy Garden-Theme Party
Invite list: 6-8
Guest type: Book club members
You don't need a garden to host this fabulous party indoors or out. Simple terrariums made from ferns and glass cloches star as the table centerpiece, accented by roses floating in stemless wine glasses. Each place setting has its bit of greenery and an uplifting quote to keep the party in good spirits. Serve whatever you'd like at this easy-to-throw party, but we recommend dishes with farmers market fresh ingredients.
Taco Buffet
Invite list: 10-12
Guest type: Your foodie friends
Turn a low-key summer evening with friends into a fiesta with a build-your-own taco buffet and a few colorful decorations. Serve the tacos with all the fixings, such as sour cream, lime, cilantro, and other fresh veggies so guests can create their own. Keep the stress of entertaining down by making the food ahead of time, and match your decor to the fiesta with brightly colored ceramic serving dishes.
Related: 12 Traditional Mexican Recipes That Taste Authentic
Dinner on the Deck
Invite list: 4-6
Guest type: Friendly neighbors
Take a sophisticated party idea and make it casual for summer with this setup. Use planted succulents to dress up the outdoor table, and opt for real dishes and cloth napkins instead of disposable ones for a sophisticated touch. Serve simple appetizers like cheese and crackers with various types of meat and seasonal vegetables, and try a slow cooker recipe for the main course, so you don't have to turn on the oven. A pitcher or drink dispenser allows guests to help themselves.
The Ultimate Burger Bash
Invite list: 8-10
Guest type: Families
Fire up the grill! This easy summer party idea starts with the season's signature dinner—hamburgers. Set up a spread of creative toppers like pickled vegetables, sliced avocado, mustard, and relish. During the party, let guests build their ultimate burger and fill their plates with fresh summer side dishes. Keep the decor simple (like colorful tablecloths and lawn chairs) and set up fun yard games.
Related: 28 Pickling Recipes That Go Way Beyond Cucumbers
Puppy Picnic
Invite list: 10+
Guest type: Animal Lovers
Celebrate man's best friend with a festive puppy picnic! Adults, kids, and pups will love this easy summer party idea. Set up an outdoor buffet, puppy splash pad, and DIY photo booth in your backyard, and let the furry friends run wild!
Afternoon Garden Party
Invite list: 6-8
Guest type: Friends
Gather your friends for an afternoon garden party starring all things fresh. Serve herbal tea and bite-size sweets, and set up a DIY flower arranging bar. Head to the farmers market or your local flower farm for inexpensive, in-season blooms.
Tip
If you're setting up a bouquet bar, cut down on costs by purchasing flowers in bulk. Call local florists or look online for places to order flowers in large quantities.
Related: 20 Flower Arrangements for DIY Bouquets That Look Store-Bought
Summer Shrimp Boil
Invite list: 4-6
Guest type: Families
This Southern-inspired shrimp boil is all about dining family-style. Set up a super casual summer party spread starring shrimp, corn, and sausage. Round out the meal with fresh hush puppies and coleslaw. Use newspaper-print parchment paper, a red plaid tablecloth, and a kraft paper runner to compliment the theme.
Backyard Movie Night
Invite list: 10+
Guest type: Families
You don't need to head to the theater to catch a summer flick! Set up a backyard summer movie night complete with a DIY screen, concession-style snacks, and festive decor. Create a cozy seating area with cushions, chairs, and blankets.
Related: The 5 Best Outdoor Movie Screens, According to Testing
Backyard Pizza Party
Jason Donnelly
Invite list: 8-10
Guest type: Friends and kids
Everyone loves a pizza party! And it's a great way to utilize extra summer veggies. Provide a slew of toppings—meats, veggies, and a variety of cheeses—and invite guests to build their own pizzas. Use an outdoor pizza oven or cook the pies directly on the grill. Serve them in cardboard pizza boxes to make them easier to pass and share and taste all of the different topping combinations. Purchase store bought ingredients or make the pizza dough and sauce ahead of time to keep things simple.
For more Better Homes & Gardens news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.
Solve the daily Crossword
