Holidays & Occasions Summer 50 Summer Party Ideas Made for Fun in the Sun By Marissa Wu Marissa Wu Marissa Wu is an Editorial Fellow and Southern transplant by way of San Francisco, Boston, and Paris, France. She writes about anything and everything as it pertains to the South, but mostly home, food, and the occasional garden stories. Recipe reviews are a particular pleasure, as well as discovering the latest home trends.When not editing and producing articles or updating the homepage, she's trying new Southern Living recipes, jolting along in her manual transmission car, Fitz; hammering out a manuscript on her 1930s Royal Aristocrat typewriter, Georgie; and making film photographs with her Rolleiflex, Cecil.Marissa graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism and a minor in French Studies. She still can't follow a football conversation but hopes her cheese straws make up for it. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on March 18, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kathleen Varner; Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe: Celine Russell/Zenobia There's nothing like a summer in the South. Between sunny days and scattered thunderstorms, Southerners know how to keep cool and have a good time. Whether that means a day at the beach or lounging by the lake or pool, almost any summertime activity is best enjoyed with a bit of company. From decor ideas to snacks, mains, and desserts, our summer party ideas will help you make the most of the season. The menu ensures everyone stays refreshed with a variety of smoothies, ice creams, and popsicles, plus sangrias and cocktails for the adults. Of course, you didn't really summer if there wasn't a cookout or barbecue in the works, so get ready to throw hot dogs, steaks, and even oysters on the grill for an Independence Day celebration that can't be missed. Once your menu is set, brighten things up with a sunny palette, set up a poolside bar, or keep it elegant with a candlelit backyard dinner. Whichever way you spin it, you'll be spending your summer as you should be: in good company with great food. 01 of 50 4th of July Party Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Celebrate all things red, white, and blue on Independence Day with a color-coordinated party. Fresh flowers are a great way to lean into the color palette while keeping things feeling light and fresh. Plus, they don't need storage space after the fun's over. 02 of 50 Sunshine Smoothie Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: Sunshine Smoothie There's no better way to ward off the dog days of summer than with a sunny smoothie. If you're whipping up a big batch for a crowd, use frozen mangoes for ease and make sure it's the last thing you prepare before guests arrive. 03 of 50 Pastel Punch Robbie Caponetto Warm weather begs for fun, light colors. A rainbow of pastels can never steer you wrong. 04 of 50 July 4th Charcuterie Board Joy Howard Recipe: July 4th Charcuterie Board Charcuterie boards are always sure to please, so use one to elevate your Independence Day gathering. Load up on festive candies, berries, cured meats, and veggies for a spread worthy of the holiday. 05 of 50 Raspberry Limeade Granita Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham Recipe: Raspberry Limeade Granita All you need for this stunner is fresh raspberries, lime juice, and chilled rum. 06 of 50 Beach Party Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kathleen Varner; Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe: Celine Russell/Zenobia The beach is one of the first places we'll go on summer holiday. Make your summer party beach-themed, or gather friends for a party weekend at one of your favorite seaside towns. 07 of 50 Floral Arranging or Potting Party Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Celebrate the season by getting your hands dirty. Invite guests to come arrange their own bouquet of summer blooms. Or, better yet, give them something that'll last long after the party is over. Have everyone plant their own pot of wildflowers for them to enjoy all summer long. 08 of 50 An Island Getaway Carmel Brantley Set the theme for your guests and whisk them away to a tropical paradise by finding dishware that'll instantly transport them to a sun-kissed island. 09 of 50 Watermelon Sangría Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Karen Schroeder-Rankin; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Watermelon Sangría Summer's unofficial fruit makes for a lovely, brightly-hued sangria filled to the brim with rosé, melon balls, and elderflower liqueur. 10 of 50 Watermelon Ice Cream Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Watermelon Ice Cream Dish up generous scoops of this pink-hued ice cream and you're sure to elicit squeals of delight from all. 11 of 50 Poolside Bar Laura Moss; Design: Muffie Faith; Styling: Natasha Louise King This one's for the adults. Set up a poolside bar where guests can create their own cocktails a stone's throw from their comfortable chaises. 12 of 50 Grilled Endive-and-Halloumi Salad with Strawberries Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Grilled Endive-and-Halloumi Salad with Strawberries You absolutely need this easy, flavorful salad at your summer grilling party. The vegetarians will thank you, and it has the potential to even entice the carnivores. 13 of 50 Porch Party Photo: Paul Costello All Southerners know the pleasure of sitting on the porch all afternoon, so why not invite a few friends to do it with you? 14 of 50 Keep It Light Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Candles are always a good idea, and votives are an easy, inexpensive way to jazz up a scene. Plus, you can find candle holders that match the theme of your party. 15 of 50 Carolina Peach Sangria Jennifer Davick; Styling: Sissy Lamerton Recipe: Carolina Peach Sangria Peaches are one of the sure harbingers of summertime, so be sure to have a big bowl of this Carolina Peach Sangria on hand. Don't skimp on the peach nectar, fresh raspberries, and peach slices. 16 of 50 White Sangria Salads Hector Sanchez Recipe: White Sangria Salads If you want to give your summer party a blast from the past, there's only one way to do it. The distinctly Southern congealed salad gets the sangria treatment, and ours is loaded with pineapple and white grape juice, sparkling wine, green grapes, mandarin oranges, and grapefruit. They're a great accompaniment to chicken or tuna salad, two other Southern staples. 17 of 50 Pineapple Granita Recipe Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Pineapple Granita Recipe This is a hands-off granita recipe that still wows in taste. Prep it ahead of your party and then serve with pineapple wedges and lime zest. 18 of 50 4th of July Festival Evin Photography Add an instant patriotic touch to any summer party spread with an abundance of American flags. 19 of 50 Host a Lowcountry Boil Rinehart Family Recipe: Lowcountry Boil Pull out the picnic tables and gingham tablecloths for a summer Lowcountry boil that'll be the talk of the town. Potatoes, kielbasa sausage, fresh corn, and shrimp get a seasoning of butter, lemons, and Old Bay. Plus, everything is cooked in wheat ale. 20 of 50 Buttermilk-Peach Popsicles Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Buttermilk-Peach Popsicles Ripe peaches and tangy buttermilk join forces to create refreshing but creamy pops that all your guests are going to love. 21 of 50 Red, White, and Blue Popsicles Jennifer Causey Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Popsicles If one of your summer parties is celebrating Independence Day, then make sure you have these festive popsicles on hand. Kids and adults will not be able to resist. 22 of 50 Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Crab Cake Bites with Old Bay Mayo, Chives, and Lemon Celebrate summer with outstanding crab cakes. This recipe comes from Birmingham's Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood and Oysters. Mayo, chives, and lemon serve as the binders, delivering a light but essential flavoring. 23 of 50 Tomato Tea Sandwiches Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches These dainty bites take everything you love about the classic tomato sandwich and make it manageable finger food for guests to enjoy. 24 of 50 4th of July Firecracker Punch Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: 4th of July Firecracker Punch Test Kitchen pro Ivy Odom developed this recipe as an ode to a favorite childhood drink. With lemonade, ginger beer, and fresh fruit in the mix, adults will love it just as much as the kids. 25 of 50 4th of July Punch Jennifer Causey Recipe: 4th of July Punch This punch can go either way. Keep it kid friendly or throw in some vodka, rum, or tequila for a little adult fun. 26 of 50 Old-Fashioned Tomato Pie Iain Bagwell Recipe: Old-Fashioned Tomato Pie All the mainstays are here—heirloom tomatoes, sweet onion, herbs, cheese, and mayo come together to create the beloved dish. 27 of 50 Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Melissa Gray Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad The addition of feta, Parmesan, pine nuts, and basil make it the ultimate summer side. 28 of 50 Red, White, and Blue Cake Mix Cookies Joy Howard Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Cake Mix Cookies Thanks to some cake mix and red, white, and blue sprinkles, you'll have a summer party dessert that brings the wow-factor without too much effort. 29 of 50 Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake Jennifer Causey Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Poke Cake Double berry filling and rich mascarpone frosting ensure this cake will be a hit. 30 of 50 Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs Recipe: Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail Hosting a summer garden party soirée? You'll need this elegant cocktail on your menu. 31 of 50 Roasted Potato Salad Joy Howard Recipe: Roasted Potato Salad No matter the occasion, potato salad is a must at any Southern get-together. In this version, we forgo the creamy dressing in favor of roasting potatoes and dressing them with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. 32 of 50 Hot Dog Bar Jennifer Davick; Prop Styling: Allison R. Banks; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns Between all the great barbecue, seafood, and steak that make an annual summer appearance, hot dogs can be the forgotten and underrated summer party food staple. They deserve a little love because they're so easy to customize. Set out toppings and let your guests build their own. 33 of 50 New England Lobster Salad Burger Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton Recipe: New England Lobster Salad Burger Transport your guests to the New England coast with a generous helping of lobster on their burger. That's not all, though. We also included thick-cut bacon, Vermont cheddar, and sirloin patty. 34 of 50 Root Beer Float Ice Pops Photography and Prop Styling: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Root Beer Float Ice Pops This classic soda fountain order is just as good in popsicle form. You start with the sweet flavor of root beer and work your way down to the rich vanilla ice cream. 35 of 50 Grilled Oysters Peter Frank Edwards Recipe: Grilled Oysters Consider this the simplified version of the Lowcountry oyster roast. All you need? Oysters and a grill. Serve with your favorite condiments. 36 of 50 Coconut Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Granita Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Giulietta Pinna; Food Styling: Ali Ramee Recipe: Coconut Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Granita Now, we love a pie, tart, or cake as much as the next person, but sometimes a cool, light dessert is just what you need on a hot summer day. This one delivers in spades. 37 of 50 Outdoor Evening Party Photo: Charles Walton IV Plan a sophisticated outdoor summer soirée by candlelight. The warm summer nights make it a perfect, comfortable setting in which to enjoy dinner and drinks with friends. 38 of 50 Grilled Corn-and-Salmon Salad with Tomatoes Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Grilled Corn-and-Salmon Salad with Tomatoes Tomatoes add a vibrant hue to this seafood salad, which is a great starter or main dish at your summer garden party. 39 of 50 Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad This salad is the definition of summer. And, when you add the lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette, the flavor boost is over the top. 40 of 50 Grilled Lamb Chops with Green Garlic Chimichurri Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Recipe: Grilled Lamb Chops with Green Garlic Chimichurri Change up the rotation on the grill with the addition of lamb chops. The chimichurri adds a little elegant touch, and the lamb cooks quickly, so no one has to wait long to dig in. 41 of 50 Pineapple Ice Cream Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Pineapple Ice Cream If you know the pleasure of the Dole Whip, then let us introduce you to this ice cream. Tart-sweet pineapple becomes a creamy creation with the help of a little condensed milk and whipping cream. 42 of 50 Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen Recipe: Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings Few will complain if you serve chicken wings. Kick things up a notch with Ann Taylor Pittman's version, which uses gochujang and fresh ginger. 43 of 50 Ice Cream Sandwich Bar Evin Photography Lay out different ice cream flavors, cookies, brownies, and sprinkles so that your guests can build custom, cool treats. 44 of 50 Grilled Shrimp Lettuce Wraps Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Lettuce Wraps Set shrimp, pickled veggies, and lettuce out on plates and have guests assemble their own wraps. 45 of 50 Frozen Lemonade Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford Recipe: Frozen Lemonade A tall glass of lemonade, fresh-pressed from backyard lemons, is a nostalgic childhood treat. Keep everyone extra cool through summer's heat with our frozen version. 46 of 50 Southern-Style Grilled Cobb Salad Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Southern-Style Grilled Cobb Salad Our Southern spin includes okra and sharp Cheddar, but everything you love about it is still there, too. 47 of 50 Blueberry Ripple No-Churn Ice Cream Joy Howard Recipe: Blueberry Ripple No-Churn Ice Cream Think of this as a blueberry pie in ice cream form. Graham cracker crumbs and blueberry preserves swirl throughout this no-churn ice cream, making it worthy of any ice cream parlor. 48 of 50 Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Recipe: Strawberry-Rosé Snack Cake A great way to have your rosé and eat it, too. 49 of 50 No-Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Recipe: No-Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Nothing beats a big slice of key lime pie on a summer day, except maybe this ice cream. We wager it might be easier than putting together the pie itself. 50 of 50 Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ali Ramee, Prop Stylist Heather Chadduck Recipe: Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches No one ever turned down a fudgy brownie. Make the treat doubly irresistible by turning them into ice cream sandwiches. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit