As the anticipation for this beloved season builds up, many of us yearn for slower days, sunlit moments, and quality time spent with loved ones.
But when it comes to hosting a large-scale summer party, you may face a common challenge: how to make it truly stand out and be remembered by your guests. Incorporating a captivating summer party theme could be the solution.
Here at Eventbrite, our community’s summer-savvy event creators use our platform to organize some of the summer’s hottest events.
Translation: We know a thing or two about fun in the sun, and we want to showcase some of the ways real event creators are nailing summer party themes to create memorable events.
Read on to find out why summer party themes are a great idea, take a look at 15 of 2023’s best summer party themes, and learn how to make your theme come alive.
Why choose a summer party theme?
A lot of us spend all year waiting for the summertime — which is why Summer is the perfect time to capitalize on that seasonal joy to make your next big event pop.
When we were putting together our 2023 Summer Event Trends Report, we discovered that event attendees are ready to get out and party this summer.
Searches on Eventbrite for summer events have grown 34% from 2022 to 2023. Meanwhile, 81% of partygoers told us they plan to spend as much or more on this year’s summer events as they did in 2022.
But if you really want to wow your friends and guests, you should theme your event.
Party themes are great because they help you create a sense of atmosphere for large-scale events. And if your ultimate goal is to raise money for charity, sell products, or woo clients, you want to make sure your guests have an amazing time, right?
15 Summer party themes your guests will love
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 15 awesome summer party themes that are perfect for event creators trying to build unique experiences around their events.
We’ll also take some inspiration from real creators who use our Eventbrite platform to organize the best summer parties with amazing themes to inspire you.
1. Tropical island getaway
When the weather gets hot, many of us fantasize about getting on an airplane and heading to the tropics. As an event creator, you can feed that desire by bringing the tropical islands directly to your party guests.
If you need a little bit of inspiration, look no further than LOEWS ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO and their Wantilan Luau events.
For decor and accessories, think grass skirts, Hawaiian leis, palm trees, vibrant colors, tiki torches, and even some real sand. Your exotic menu should include tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut, as well as island cocktails.
Finally, you can cap your tropical island party with entertainment like a live reggae band, ukulele music, or even fire performers.
Want to learn how to market your summer events after nailing down a theme? Take a look at our list of pro tips.
2. Classic BBQ
Nothing shouts “summertime” like a backyard BBQ.
To capture those classic summer vibes, decorate your venue with earthy shades, Southern-inspired decorations, and loads of gingham. Serve your drinks in mason jars, and your catering doubles down on your theme.
Just remember to offer some meat-free options so your event is inclusive. The BBQ theme is great for families as it lends itself to classic garden games like tug-of-war and other light outdoor activities.
Want to see how to do the BBQ theme on a large scale? Event creator The Silent Majority LLC and their Dear Summer BBQ ATL is a perfect example.
3. Pool party
This is one of the easiest summer party ideas. Start by checking out venues with pools or renting out a community pool to host your party — just make sure you check the rules first! You’ll want to be able to offer alcoholic drinks and have loud music.
For lessons in best practice, look at event creator TTB Events and their The POOL PARTY of All Pool Parties event, loaded with great DJs and food for everyone.
In terms of decor, the pool is your focal point. But you can add nice details like seashells, blue striped decor, and beach chairs, or even set up some cabanas to give it a beach feel.
The menu for a pool party is normally light (think sandwiches and finger foods). The entertainment should revolve around pool inflatables, pool games to get people in the water, or live music.
Want to learn how to plan a pool party like a pro? Find out how Eventbrite can help you get the party started.
4. Fiesta
You’ll find some of the best parties in the world in Mexico and South America — so why not capture the fiesta vibe and bring it home to your event?
Your decor should be desert-chic. Think bright colors, desert plants, and papel picado luminarias for a start. You can then bring in Mexican catering (or a food truck) with dishes like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, pozole, and mole. Don’t forget the margaritas, either.
For inspiration, take a look at Eventbrite creator PULL UP ENTERTAINMENT and their Summer Fiesta event whose event focuses on giving respected artists a space to perform and delight their guests.
Your fiesta entertainment might include a mariachi band, pinatas, a sombrero dance, or a hot chili pepper eating contest.
5. Country barn dance
If you want to create a fun party experience, a barn dance is the perfect theme.
Start with country-inspired decorations like hay bales, gingham, quilts, and horseshoes. It’s ideal if you’re able to rent a venue with a real barn, but any space can be adapted to fit the vibe.
If you want to see how it’s done in practice, check out event creator Safe Castlebellingham and their Barn Dance.
A great country barn dance needs plenty of Southern food like BBQ pulled pork, potato salad, beans, cornbread, roasted peanuts, and beer on tap. Meanwhile, your entertainment should include live music.
This is a great summer party theme for families with kids — and if you’re looking for tips on planning family-friendly summer events, we’ve got you covered.
6. 4th of July blowout
Independence Day is like summer’s main event. That makes it a fantastic summer party theme for events of any size.
Start with some red, white, and blue bunting — then add plenty of American flags, balloons, and garlands of red, white, and blue flowers. An all-American 4th of July party menu can be as simple as hot dogs, burgers, mac and cheese, and apple pie.
Your entertainment should include fireworks, music playlists full of American classics, and lawn games for the children if this is a family event.
To learn from the best, look no further than event creator Taste of Food Trucks and their The Big Bang 4th July Celebration 2023 event. It ticks every box: live music, fireworks, children’s activities, local vendors, and plenty of food.
And if you need some more 4th of July party ideas, we’ve rounded up some pro tips.
7. Summer camp
Many of us have unforgettable memories of going to summer camp as a kid — so why not bring that nostalgia back in the form of a big party?
To scale this up, you could rent out a lakeside venue or an obstacle course and stage a series of “kidult” takes on classic camp activities. Toss up a few tents, light a campfire, set up a bug spray bar, and keep the menu basic (think hot dogs, trail mix, and s’mores).
To see how this party theme works in practice, check out Falconwood Park and Hullabaloo and their Kickback Campout “Adult Summer Camp Edition” event as a great example.
8. Carnival
Summer is traditionally when the circus comes to town, making for a brilliant summer party theme. That’s what event creator Beacon 189 did with their Beacon 189 Carnival event — and it ticked all the boxes, from face painting and balloon twisting to a bouncy slide.
This is a great theme idea for adults or families with kids, and your decor should center around a circus tent, bunting, and string lights. For a larger-scale event, you could rent out carnival games, circus performers, or fortune tellers as entertainment.
Your menu should focus on carnival and funfair basics like popcorn, cotton candy, churros, and snow cones. To create a festive atmosphere, you can rent food trucks to cater your party with these classics.
Not sure where to start? With Eventbrite you can start by creating an event page where you can list all your event’s highlights, and from there you’ll be easily found through our events search engine by anybody wanting to dial up the summer heat.
Create your summer event page with Eventbrite
9. Ice cream social
Sunny days sure are hot — and if you’re looking for a simple party theme to cool down your guests, go for an ice cream social.
Your decor should include a pastel palette, hand cards, balloons, and streamers to create an old-school atmosphere.
Best of all, your entertainment can double as your theme. Set up a deluxe ice cream sundae bar. Add in some live music (like a barbershop quartet), and you’ve created the ultimate 50s summer vibe.
Want to see how an ice cream social works? Take a look at The Raw Edition Candle Company, LLC and their JUNETEENTH ICE CREAM SOCIAL event.
10. Beach party
Summer is the perfect time to flock to the beach. That’s why a beach party is a great idea for event creators looking to provide attendees with a memorable experience.
You could hire out a beachside venue or use decorations to turn an inland venue into a hidden beach paradise. Just go for hues of blue and pink, sand, seashells, and fishing nets to create a sense of place.
If you’re serving food, stick with seafood and ice cream to stay on-theme and minimalistic — as the beach itself. In terms of entertainment, you could go for a bonfire, a toy boat race, or go all out with a fireworks display.
To see how the theme works at an actual beach, take a look at event creator Chicago Sport and Social Club and their Y2K BEACH PARTY event as the perfect example.
11. Backyard dinner party
Summer is the best season for alfresco dining — which is why so many of us throw outdoor dinner parties. But this theme lends itself to larger parties too — recreate the backyard dinner party theme at a large venue with outdoor seating capabilities for many.
To make it easy, look for a venue in the great outdoors with their own catering facilities. Then you can decorate with classic garden furniture, natural tones, and even a fire pit for after-dinner cocktails. Entertainment could include some evening jazz, boules, or dancing.
As an example, Kindred Spirits Care Farm has totally nailed the brief with their Summer Dinner Under the Stars.
12. Summer derby party
What can be more exciting than a summer party at the races? It’s the perfect chance for guests to dress up to the nines, with hats and all. Your decor could be along the lines of Southern charm, but you could also go for the aristocratic touch and theme it around the famous Royal Ascot races.
Try to land a venue with plenty of lawn space — or maybe even a farm with horses. Your menu could include classic cocktails and finger foods, while entertainment could include an interactive racing event and pony rides for the kids.
If you need inspiration, look no further than event creator Rose Town Kitchen & Bar (2nd Floor Canopy Hotel) and their Kentucky Derby Party in May. With plenty of roses, juleps, and giveaways, it ticked every box.
13. Summer Olympics party
We usually have to wait four years for an international sporting event like the Olympics — but as an event creator, you can bring the Olympics directly to your event no matter what year it is.
Entertainment can include a series of races, throwing contests for partygoers, or even displays from real professional athletes. Just don’t make it too difficult — make sure it’s fun! Try to go for an outdoor venue with plenty of space to get guests up and moving. And don’t forget to prepare a podium with some medals and a few bottles of champagne to celebrate!
For a family-friendly take on the event, look at event creator Lauren Sylvester – NYPD Community Ambassador. Their Brooklyn North Olympic Games EAST NEW YORK Edition featuring loads of games, contests, music, and prizes looks like the perfect summer get-together.
14. Summer scavenger hunt
This is another nostalgic theme that takes a lot of us back to summer camp — but you can create a highly engaging and exciting scavenger hunt to anchor your summer party.
Hire a venue with plenty of space so you can set up clues. You can choose different themes within this theme. It can be a pirate treasure hunt or an around the world hunt where you take them through different countries to find their clues. Scavenger hunts are great because your theme doubles as party entertainment.
If you need inspiration, event creators like Urban Adventure Quest are pros at this. Just take a look at their recent Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure-Tucson event.
15. Jazz speakeasy
Capture the excitement of the prohibition era and the roaring twenties by turning a venue into a jazzy speakeasy. Your entertainment should, of course, include live jazz, but also a cocktail bar, and lots of swing dancing — while your decor could include loads of black and gold with moonshine barrels.
Try to encourage your guests to dress the part in suits and flapper dresses. It’ll create an immersive atmosphere and engage attendees before they’ve even arrived.
As an example, take a look at event creator Party Bxtch Events and their Speakeasy Karaoke event. This is a great way to work your party theme into a more modern form of entertainment.
16. Summer block party
Block party is a great way to build a big event and make everyone in the community feel included.
For example, look at Primestor Development and their Summer Block Party. These events are all about spreading out the word and engaging local communities — and in terms of entertainment, think classic street party.
That means vendor stalls, a BBQ station, live music like Juneteenth concert, and maybe even a bouncy castle or face painting for the kids.
Picked your summer party theme? Let’s start planning
Once you’ve chosen the perfect summer party theme, it’s time to get to work creating your event — we’re here to help.
Draw inspiration from Eventbrite’s community of 800,000 event creators from all over the world. You can then use Eventbrite to set up a custom summer events page, sell tickets, create seating arrangements, promote your event on social media, and more.
