35 Trendy Themes for an Outdoor Summer Party

With long sunny days that melt into warm starry nights, summer is the best time of year to host an alfresco celebration, big or small. We’re sharing unique outdoor party themes to help you plan the most beautiful (and fun!) social event of the season. Read on to find recipes, cocktails and decoration inspiration for our favorite summer party themes, including a Lowcountry crab boil, a glamping sleepover, a French Riviera fête, a Pride dinner party and more.

Invite your closest pals (and their kiddos) for some old-fashioned fun with a backyard summer camp-themed party. Keep your campers entertained all afternoon with classic crafts like DIY sun prints, friendship bracelets and Perler bead drink covers. Yard games, rope pulls and relay races add a healthy dose of competition to get the party going. Offer guests refreshing beverages like boozy berry patch lemonade, boozy juice pouches and orange creamsicle floats. And don’t forget some tasty campfire eats: Serve hot dogs, cheeseburgers or grilled cheese sandwiches with a potato chip bar and veggie cups for your main dish, then roast s'mores over the fire for dessert.

Rainbows don't have to be only bold or primary colors, try some soft, elegant hues to create a sophisticated tablescape. Match each dishware color with coordinating linens, glassware and floral bouquets for a Pride setting you'll be proud of.

Shower the mom-to-be or the bride-to-be in your life with lots of love — and balloons — with a boho backyard brunch. Set the scene for the celebration (and photo ops aplenty) with a DIY balloon garland over your back door. A stocked-and-styled bar cart by the door, complete with elegant champagne cocktails, will get the party going when guests arrive. Dress your patio table for the occasion with a vibrant tablecloth and fresh-clipped blooms from your garden. And for an extra special touch? Add a wicker armchair at the end to use as a throne for the lady of the hour.