AD | “Summer is the height of being alive.” Summer (now it’s finally decided to show up in the UK) is the perfect time to gather friends and family together for fun get-togethers. I’m thinking party games, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and all those other good summer vibes. If you’re hosting any outdoor gatherings this year, here are 12 classic summer garden party ideas you might like to consider, plus 3 more unusual suggestions, to get that party started and your guests swinging in the sunshine.
Contents
12 Classic Summer Garden Party Ideas To Get You Started
BBQ Extravaganza
What food do you serve at a garden party? Nothing says summer like a BBQ and firing up the grill for a variety of meats, vegetables, and even fruits. Think burgers, hot dogs, sticky ribs, chicken wings, corn on the cob, peppers, and grilled pineapple. Accompanied by a fresh salad, some coleslaw (just me?), and potato salad or chips. Don’t forget your condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, nor your cutlery and napkins.
Signature Cocktails
Perfect for parties, why not create a themed cocktail menu with easy-to-make (and even easier to quaff) jugs of mojitos, sangrias, and margaritas. And of course there’s always Pimms, if you’re aiming for a more traditionally English garden party.
DIY Lemonade Stand
Or, set up a DIY lemonade stand with a variety of flavoured lemonades and tall glasses or mason jars for everyone to create their own drinks. This one is perfect for children as well as anyone who’s not drinking alcohol. Don’t forget the ice cubes and garnishes – edible flowers look lovely and make a change from the usual lemon slices.
Ice Cream Bar
Who doesn’t love to cool off with an ice cream? How does an ice cream bar featuring a range flavours, toppings, and sauces for your guests to create their dream dessert sound? Not just for the kids either.
Garden Tea Party
For a touch of sophistication and an uber elegant garden party, lay out some small tables with vintage teacups, saucers, and teapots on top of pretty tablecloths. You could serve a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and delicate pastries. And no table setting is complete without place cards for your guests.
Rustic Picnic
At the other end of the summer garden party ideas scale, rather than a formal dinner party, let your guests relax on some cosy blankets and cushions on the grass. Fill up some baskets with a variety of locally-sourced cheeses, charcuterie boards, spreads and dips, fresh bread, and seasonal fruits for them to graze on. Don’t forget the wine to encourage the conversations to flow.
Cue the Music
No need for a DJ, simply plug in your Alexa or other smart device and let the music play.
String Lights and Lanterns
What about garden party decor? One of the best ways to create instant party vibes is with balloons or a balloon arch. Great for taking photos as they frame your guests too. And you can create a truly magical feel with string lights, lanterns, and candles to light up your outside space as dusk falls..
DIY Flower Arrangements
If you’re lucky enough to have flowers in your garden, why not set up a flower arranging table where your guests can create their own bouquets or floral centrepieces to take home as a party favour? Children especially would love this activity.
Outdoor Games
Traditional lawn games like croquet or giant Jenga will keep guests entertained for ages. Or, not just for the kids, create a secret garden treasure hunt with clues hidden throughout your garden leading guests to hidden treasures or treats. This would also work brilliantly for a birthday party instead of pass-the-parcel.
Sunset Toast
When the sun goes down, make sure you gather everyone together for a sunset toast, particularly if you’re lucky enough to experience a red sky. Shepherd’s delight and all that…
Outdoor Movie Night
Once it’s dark, set up a projector and screen for an outdoor movie night under the stars, complete with popcorn and cosy blankets. You can serve classic movie snacks like popcorn and sweets, or hot dogs and nachos for more substantial light bites.
Quirky Summer Garden Party Ideas for a Little Twist
Hire a Personal Chef
If you don’t fancy getting hot and bothered by the BBQ, or you can’t decide between Mexican or Mediterranean recipes, then why not hire a private chef to do the work for you? When you add up the cost of buying food and time spent preparing and cooking (time away from your friends and family), it works out as surprisingly good value. A delicious meal cooked in your own kitchen that’s left spotless at the end of the night? Yes please!
Garden Spa Day
This one is perfect for a hen do, a girlfriend’s birthday party, or a relaxing daytime catch up with friends. You could transform your garden into a spa retreat with stations for manicures, pedicures, and facials, and supply refreshing cucumber water, herbal teas, and healthy fruit and vegetable snacks and finger food.
Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party
What’s the best theme for a summer party? There are so many to choose from – such as a fairy garden party, an enchanted garden party, a vintage garden party, and more. But after enjoying several trips to the Festival of Light at Longleat over the years, I love the idea of transforming a garden into a neon wonderland with glow-in-the-dark decorations, accessories, and a banging playlist of dance-worthy tunes.
How Do YOU Throw a Summer Garden Party?
Choosing any of these summer garden party ideas means you’ll definitely have a party to remember but, if you’re still looking for inspiration, Ideal Home has 38 more garden celebration ideas to choose from. Whatever theme you end up going for, don’t get so caught up in the planning and preparation that you don’t enjoy yourself as well. Have fun, and look forward to revelling in your summer celebrations!
What do you think of these summer garden party ideas? Which one is your favourite? Have you ever tried any of them? Are you planning any summer garden party extravaganzas this year?
* This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.
I absolutely loved all of your fabulously creative ideas. When you have a beautiful yard, it’s so smart to find more ways to actually enjoy it. Hiring the personal chef and the glow in the dark dance party sounded especially good!
Ah, thank you, Heidi, that’s very kind!
I love these Summer garden party ideas Lisa! It’s always important to have music at any garden party! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you, Lucy, and yes, I agree 🙂
These are such lovely ideas for summer. I loved the idea of garden spa day.
Thank you, and it would be even better if you had a water feature, just imaging the sound of water… 🙂
Oh wow!!! I love the ice cream bar idea. It’s been a long time since I had a garden party. Thank you for sharing these ideas.
You can’t beat ice cream at a summer party 🙂
Absolutely love these garden party ideas! My favorites are the BBQ Extravaganza and Tea Party. The Signature Cocktails and Ice Cream Bar also sound really fun! Even though I’m not planning anything this summer, these ideas are great to keep in mind for future gatherings. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much – I love the idea of a vintage tea party too – something very quintessentially summery about that one!
Woah, these summer garden party ideas are absolutely amazing!! I’m especially loving the thought of a rustic picnic with cozy blankets and local cheeses, or perhaps a garden tea party with vintage teacups for an elegant touch 😀
Lenne | lennezulkiflly.com
Picnics have such a summery vibe, don’t they? Thank you, glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
I love everything about this post. It is so aesthetically pleasing as well!
Thank you, that’s very kind.
I’m feeling hungry now after reading all those delicious suggestions in the first idea! (I’m a coleslaw lover too by the way!)
That’s such a great list. Now the summer seems a bit more settled here, I might try and fit in a few sunset toasts!
Thanks for compiling and sharing.
:o)
Oh yay, a fellow coleslaw fan, I think we’re a rare breed! Thank you, happy sunset toasting in due course 🙂
These are fantastic ideas for a garden party! BBQs are always a great idea, and I also love the idea of an ice cream bar and garden tea party!
Thank you, Karalee, that’s very kind – and yes, completely agree about the ice cream bar!
I love going to garden parties, and it would be great to one day host some again. I love the ideas laid out here, they will make any gathering a great one!
Thank you, Molly, I hope you get to host some too!
Summer parties are the best, love all these ideas here. I would like to mix the flower arranging with the ice cream bar!
Allie
Oooh, that’s a good idea, thank you, Allie!
Great post! I always forget to put music on when people come over, but it’s a lovely way to entertain and create a relaxed Summer vibe. I also like the idea of making signature cocktails to add a special touch to your garden party. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Eleanor – I usually end up squabbling with Flora over what playlists to go for!
I like the idea of Cocktails, that’s great. There are a lot of mixers ready made. I should do my own version of mixers.
That’s a great idea – mixers are perfect for parties. 🙂
Lovely ideas! Being outdoors and having fun is great for your health and wellbeing too!
Thank you – and yes, you’re absolutely right, being in Nature always works wonders!