75 Summer Party Themes & Ideas

Whether you’re looking for tips for a backyard summer cookout, sit down dinners, or fun theme parties, you’ll find them here plus all the recipes to pull them together. And if group participation is on the agenda, here’s everything you need to know to host a potluck party. 

I’ve also put together the best ideas for a backyard BBQ to help you pull it all together with style, and you can grab these free printables too. Get ready to browse some fun ideas for summer entertaining!

Summer Party Themes 

Everyone loves a theme party don’t they? It gives you a solid direction to follow when planning the decor and food. Here are some themes that you and your guests will love.

• These tropical themed party ideas are a reader favorite! Don’t miss this for luau or island themes.
• This Havana Nights theme party is awesome with cigars, mojitos, and fun décor.
• The kids will be ecstatic about this ice cream sundae party! Pair it with a tie dye party for a full day of fun.
• Host a peach theme garden party to celebrate summer or a special occasion. Includes FREE printable signs.
• This green dinner party has a tranquil and relaxing vibe.
• Nothing says summer in the South quite like a shrimp boil! Get these shrimp boil dinner party ideas & menu.
• Everyone knows entertaining with appetizers & sangria al fresco is a proven winner!
• This summer cocktail party puts a spin on the classic style you’re used to.
• What’s more summery than a Wimbledon themed brunch? Host indoors or out, but make sure to add plenty of tennis paraphernalia. 
• Have a hot dog roast over an open fire for the kids or the entire family, and add these easy cookout toppings to top your hot dogs. 
• See how to host a Ladies Night In set up in your back yard for summer.

Dinner Party Menus & Table Settings

Never get stumped by the question, “what should I serve” again! I’ve done all the thinking for you already. Here are some tried and true dinner party and menu plans to follow.

• Anyone can host a laid back dinner party with these 6 easy steps, including a simple but delicious menu.
• This casual summer dinner party menu has almost no cooking involved.
• You’re friends won’t want to leave this dinner party with mini cheese boards. It’s just so gorgeous and inviting!
• This sunset supper party is the perfect way to enjoy great food and company at dusk.
• This al fresco dinner party has two menus to choose from, with no-fail recipes to cook on the grill, or make ahead and refrigerate.
• This light & rustic dinner party menu will take you all the way into fall with it’s fresh flavors.

Make-Your-Own Food & Drink Bars

Set up a self-serve flavored lemonade bar or an iced tea bar for a fun interactive drink station.

For an indulgent experience, set up the ultimate hot dog bar with toppings galore, or create a more casual supper with a diy sandwich bar.

Set up a fun dessert station with a build-your-own shortcakes bar or a cool and refreshing ice cream bar where guests can make their own ice cream sandwiches and floats.

You can even get the kids involved with a good old fashioned lemonade stand.

Grilling Recipes

When the party is outside there’s no better way to cook than on the grill. Here are some grilling recipes that span several flavor profiles. Just pick your favorite!

• Start with the most delicious bacon-wrapped chicken bites for a grilled appetizer. I guarantee your guests will love them. And these teriyaki chicken skewers make a delicious appetizer or entrée for a grilling party.
• The best juicy burgers I’ve ever had will feed a crowd. You won’t believe how they’re made! Or prepare an array of burger flavors with these recipes:
  • These Asian-style burgers are simple and work particularly well with ground chicken or turkey.
  • Italian-style sun dried tomato burgers pack a lot of flavor with this unique twist.
  • Go Mediterranean with these delicious Greek burgers with tzatziki sauce. 
• This bbq brushed plank grilled salmon is great for adult dinner parties or family supper. You can typically fit two or three filets per plank.

Side Dishes 

My favorite part of the meal is actually the summer side dishes. Pick one or more of these recipes to serve at your party.

• Get my favorite tried & true southern classic potato salad and start serving it at your own parties.
• This easy pesto pasta salad is what I reach for when I’m short on time but want to add a lot of flavor.
• This basil infused summer corn salad packs a lot of delicious flavor.
• Of course grilled corn is a favorite go-to summer side dish, especially with my Parmesan butter on top.
• My creamy pasta salad is another favorite for cookouts and barbecues.
• Try this broccoli salad that has a little bit of savory and a little bit of sweet.
• Use fresh garden vegetables to make this creamy, crunchy cucumber salad with bacon.
• Make this Mediterranean chickpea salad for a hearty flavorful side.
• You can make this Thai noodles with shrimp recipe for an entrée or a side dish.
• Our sweet & spicy baked beans never fail as a side for burgers or hot dogs.
• Serve up some savory baked beans with ground beef as a main dish or side.
• This watermelon basil salad is a fantastic starter or side dish. Nothing says “summer” like watermelon!
• Add a light and nutritional punch with this marinated green bean salad.
• This pasta salad with broccoli and peanuts if full of delicious Thai flavor.
• Asian style peanut noodle salad has been making the rounds for years! And the bowl always comes back clean!

Desserts for Summer Parties

• Make this red, white & blue trifle to celebrate the July 4th holiday.
• Strawberry angel cake shortcake is red and white and delicious all over!
• This 4-layer rrange cake is light and refreshing, and makes a pretty centerpiece to your dessert table.
• These glazed lemon bars never fail to satisfy guests. Everyone love them!
• Make lemon & lime tartlets for a delightful party dessert. They’re small for individual portions and they have cheesecake filling on a cookie crust.
• When you want something easy to pick up and eat, these bite size lemon tartlets are delicious!
• This blackberry custard pie is perfect for those summer berries.
• Make this rich & creamy easy ice cream to serve with pie, to make cookie & ice cream sandwiches, or to eat on its own.
• Speaking of ice cream and pie, combine the two into this amazing Biscoff cookie butter ice cream pie. It’s SOOO good!

Refreshing Summer Cocktails

Get the party started with a delicious cold cocktail. You can’t lose when you serve one of these recipes.

• A sparkling peach margarita
• Tasty blackberry moonshine cocktail recipe
• Delicious light mezcal margarita recipe
• Best sparkling mojito recipe ever!
• Make a pitcher full of pomegranate peach lemonade to serve everyone in the family.
• Yummy blackberry lemonade iced tea. 
• Adults like lemonade too. When it’s a bourbon ginger lemonade cocktail that is!

Decorate Your Outdoor Space

One of the first things to do when you host a party outside is to set up the space for entertaining. Get inspired by these hosting spaces.

Create a festive “Welcome” to your guests with this outdoor balloon decor set up at the entrance.

Design an inviting outdoor space with this black & tan patio decor with greenery, or my favorite patio decor for entertaining with muted colors and a cozy feel.

Easy DIY’s

When you want to add a little extra detail try one of these simple DIY’s.

These s’mores kits make fantastic party favors, as do these DIY herb pots.

Check out 4 ways to top your drink to keep out those pesky flies and bugs.

I hope you love these summer party ideas and themes and will use them all season long.