The best night backyard party ideas for a fun time
Hosting a night time backyard party is a great way to make use of your outdoor space this summer. It’s the perfect way to host a large crowd whether you’re doing an outdoor movie night or hosting a pool party. In this blog post I’m rounding up the best tips for outdoor party ideas – yes, even if you have a small outdoor space you can still do it!
Why host a night backyard party?
Okay, you’re probably wondering why I’m specifically talking about hosting a nighttime outdoor party. Friends, I live in Houston where the sun is blazing hot until well past 8pm during summer. It only makes sense to wait until sunset to have a garden party and not during a hot summer day. Even if you live in a cooler place, trust me on this, there’s something magical about a night time outdoor event that will make your special occasion unforgettable. So invite guests, pick a party theme and let’s look through some outdoor summer party ideas!
Set up and Decor
Lighting
Nothing screams outdoor soirees like fairy lights and mason jars with flickering candles. If you want to create the perfect ambiance for your dinner party I highly recommend hanging tons of outdoor string lights and lining pathways with outdoor lights. You might already have these set up as permanent outdoor decor and it transitions so well as party decor as well. Lighting is such an important part of a night party – you don’t want it too bright outside (think motion sensor flood lights) or too dark either. It’s a good idea to have a few different light sources, like tiki torches plus overhead lighting and then maybe some solar lights on the ground level.
Music
Take your bluetooth speakers outside before the event and make sure they’re fully charged! You never know by the end of the night the grassy lawn might turn into a dance floor! I like to curate a music playlist ahead of time or pick a pre-made one from Spotify to fit the party mood.
Decor
There are so many great options for outdoor party decor that are unfussy and easy to do. Fresh fruit is always so pretty to throw in a bowl or just scatter across the middle of a long table. Weave some fresh flowers through and you’ve got a budget friendly table decor idea. If you’re hosting a birthday party I would think about the cake table and have flower arrangements for that too.
Themed Decorations
Depending on the theme of your party, you can add specific decorations to set the mood. For a tropical theme, get some tiki torches and palm leaves for creating table decor. For a romantic feel, incorporate lanterns and sheer fabrics like muslin and organza. You could also go all out and get a custom banner or one of those 360 photo booths! If you do, please invite me over?
Seating
Seating for your next outdoor gathering does not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as picnic blankets spread across the lawn with throw pillows scattered. If you want to go all out you could rent a few tables and chairs, depending on the number of guests you’re hosting. Floor cushions are the perfect solution for last minute extra seating.
Consider a mix of options like lawn chairs, benches, cushions, and even hammocks. You want to arrange the seating in a way that encourages conversation and socializing, with clusters of chairs around tables or fire pits.
Food and Drink Ideas
Okay repeat after me, folks: we will keep food simple. Got it? Great. The Pakistani in me always wants to make 2793 dishes and have them all piping hot when it’s time to serve dinner but it’s so not worth the stress. You can have the perfect time even with a simple menu. Here are some ideas to steal for your next outdoor party.
Charcuterie Boards
My favorite way to feed a crowd is by throwing together a charcuterie board or a cheese board. It’s the perfect addition to garden parties and it looks like decor too! Pick your favorite dips, spreads, cheeses, meats, fruits, and accompaniments to create the perfect board. It’s one of the easiest ways to impress your party guests and save time in the kitchen as well.
Grilling
Our go to outdoor party menu is always a summer BBQ menu. Think burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, some veggie skewers and grilled chicken pieces. What I love about grilling is that it requires minimal prep time and you can hang out with guests while you cook. Have all the meats and sides prepped and ready to go so you’re not running around last minute.
Pasta Salads
I’ve got some excellent recipes that are my ride or die for pasta salads. You can make these ahead of time and just pull them out of the fridge when it’s time to set the dinner table. I LOVE this grilled asparagus orzo pasta salad and this simple california pasta salad.
Pizza
Pizza is always a hit. You can order from your favorite pizzeria or set up a DIY pizza station where guests can create their own pizzas. Provide a range of toppings and sauces, and if you have a pizza oven, it can become a fun interactive activity. The only thing is a home pizza oven is often small and can’t make more than one pie at a time. I would use it as a side dish and not the only main item for food.
Potluck Style
This is something my friends and I always do – host a potluck dinner. Everyone brings two things and we all decide on a menu beforehand. It’s one of the best ways to keep things simple when hosting a dinner party.
Signature Drink Ideas
Create a fun signature drink for your party. It could be a cocktail that reflects the theme of the night or a non-alcoholic mocktail for guests who prefer not to drink. We personally don’t drink so we’re always looking for yummy mocktails. Lately I’ve been loving a mix of Fresca over ice with black salt and lots of lime! It’s SO refreshing. I’ve also tried this with a tajin rim and it would make the best signature cocktail for a summer party.
Beverage Tub
A beverage tub filled with ice is perfect for keeping drinks cold throughout the night. Stock it with a variety of sodas, juices and bottled water. Make sure the tub is easily accessible so guests can grab a drink whenever they need one.
Batch Drinks in Carafes
Prepare batch drinks like sangria, lemonade, or iced tea in large carafes. This not only saves you from constantly refilling drinks but also makes it easy for guests to serve themselves. Keep the carafes on a designated drink table with plenty of cups and ice. I have a large drink dispenser that I use for parties and I fill one up with ice, water, and slices of lemons and cucumber for refreshing flavored water.
Dessert Station
Ice cream is always a great idea for an outdoor event. You could get mini cups for less cleaning up or make a sundae station with toppings and tubs of ice cream. Make-ahead dishes like pies and other baked goods are also a great idea.
Activities for your next backyard party
Board Games and Card Games
Set up a table with a selection of board games and card games. This provides a fun and interactive way for guests to mingle and enjoy each other’s company. Choose games that are easy to learn and can accommodate multiple players. Twister is a fun game that can be played outdoors.
S’mores
No backyard night party is complete without making s’mores. Set up a fire pit or a portable fire bowl and provide all the essentials: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars. Guests will love gathering around the fire and toasting their marshmallows to perfection. We’ve done this a few times and it’s always a hit, plus you’ve got dessert covered!
Outdoor Movie
Turn your backyard into an outdoor cinema with a projector and a large screen or a blank wall. Choose a selection of popular movies or classics that everyone will enjoy. Bring out plenty of blankets and cushions for a cozy movie-watching experience. You could also play a movie to keep the kids entertained and under control!
Lawn Games
Lawn party games are perfect for adding a bit of friendly competition to your party. Set up games like cornhole, bocce ball, giant Jenga, or ladder toss. These games are easy to play and can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. I personally don’t own any of these but they’re always a blast when we’ve played them at patio restaurants.
Ghost Stories
As the night gets darker, gather your guests around the fire pit for some ghost stories. I don’t know about you but I love ghost stories and family gatherings are incomplete without sharing our spookiest tales. This activity can be a lot of fun, especially if you have creative storytellers in your group.
Glow in the Dark Party
You could make your entire party glow in the dark theme! Provide guests with glow sticks, neon face paint, and other glow-in-the-dark accessories. You can even have a glow stick dance party or set up glow-in-the-dark games like ring toss or capture the flag. I’m keeping this idea for one of Zaki’s birthdays – I think the kids and adults are both going to love it!
Scavenger Hunt
I’ve played scavenger hunts as a child but there are so many ideas for prepping a hunt for older people as well! This could be so much fun – here are more ideas for an outdoor scavenger hunt.
Weather Considerations
Check the weather forecast in advance and have a backup plan in case of rain. Renting a tent or setting up canopies can provide shelter and keep the party going regardless of the weather. Inform your guests about the contingency plan so everyone is prepared. Also, make sure you have the lawn mowed before the party!
Clean-Up Plan
Have a clean-up plan in place to make the post-party process easier. Set out plenty of trash and recycling bins around the yard so people aren’t looking everywhere for one. Enlist a few friends to help with the cleanup.
Timeline
Create a timeline for the evening to keep the party flowing smoothly. Schedule different activities throughout the night to ensure there’s always something happening. For example:
– 7:00 PM – Guests arrive, welcome drinks and appetizers as the sun sets
– 8:00 PM – Grilling and main course
– 9:00 PM – Lawn games and s’mores
– 10:00 PM – Outdoor movie or ghost stories
Have I convinced you to host a night backyard party? It is a fantastic way to create lasting memories with your friends and family. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can ensure that your guests have an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a warm summer night, these ideas will help you throw the best backyard party ever. So light up those string lights, fire up the grill, and get ready for a night of fun and laughter!
If you want ideas on how to set up your backyard I have the perfect post for you:
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