Summer is the best time of year, by far — and that is a sun-drenched hill we will die on.
Longer days, better weather and much-needed holidays mean that giddy energy is truly palpable. It’s not just a silly season for the tabloids.
Summer is all about having a good time — soaking up long afternoons in the park, spending time with family and friends, and buying tickets to all of the events. Hibernation mode well and truly over.
But with high demand for fun times comes stiff competition for event organisers. So how do you make your event stand out and be remembered by your guests? By channeling those good time vibes into a summer party theme to remember, of course.
Here at Eventbrite, we know a thing or two about capturing those summertime vibes and we want to showcase some of the ways our community of summer-savvy event organisers are nailing summer party themes.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 16 of the best summer party themes to inspire your next event. We’ve also included plenty of real-life examples and tips on how to make your theme come alive. Let’s dive in.
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 capitalise on that seasonal joy to make your next big event pop.
The summer months are when spending is at its highest in the UK. In 2024, Brits were expected to spend £178bn on memorable experiences such as holidays, live entertainment, and sporting events — an average of £3,322 per person. The Guardian reported a “summer boom” in the events industry in 2024, with Brits experiencing a “summer party bonanza”.
According to TRNDS 2025, our annual event forecasting guide, the appetite for spending on experiences over material things is still going strong. Three-quarters (76%) of consumers want to spend the same or more on events this year, Gen Z spending intentions are strongest, with 36% looking to spend more on events in 2025.
But if you really want to wow your friends and guests, you should theme your event. After all, 64% of organisers believe people will be looking for more niche events in 2025, according to TRNDS 2025.
16 summer party themes your guests will love
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 16 amazing summer party themes that are perfect for event organisers trying to build unique experiences around their events.
We’ll also take some inspiration from real event organisers who use our Eventbrite platform to organise the best summer parties with sizzling hot themes to inspire you.
1. Tropical island getaway
When the weather gets warmer, many of us fantasise about getting on a plane and heading to some faraway paradise.
As an event organiser you can recreate that just-stepped-off-the-plane feeling by bringing the tropical island vibes directly to your party guests.
To really make your event stand out, make sure the music is on point and serve authentic food and drinks. Oh, and remember, everyone loves a prop, so get those in abundance.
If you need inspiration look no further than Reggae Brunch and its Rock Di Boat event. The four-hour boat party promises guests “non-stop vibes”, with reggae and dancehall music, alongside Afro/Caribbean food.
Want to learn how to market your summer events after nailing down a theme? Take a look at our ultimate event marketing guide.
2. Classic BBQ party
Nothing shouts “summertime” like a BBQ.
To capture those traditional summer vibes, decorate your venue with earthy shades, bunting, and loads of gingham. Serve your drinks in mason jars, and make sure 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? The 90s vs 00s & Kisstory Summer BBQ offers event goers a nostalgia hit, while also making sure they’re fed and watered.
💡Pro tip: Retro-decade events celebrating the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s sold 8.5% more paid tickets on Eventbrite in 2024. Find out more in TRNDS 2025.
3. Pool party
This is one of the easiest summer party ideas for you to make a splash. 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.
In terms of decor, the pool is your focal point. But you can add 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?
4. Fiesta
You’ll find some of the best parties in the world in Spain, Mexico and South America — so why not capture the fiesta vibe and bring it home to your event?
For your decor, think bright colours, desert plants, and papel picado luminarias.
You can then bring in catering (or a food truck). For a Mexican event, think dishes like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, pozole, and mole. And don’t forget the margaritas! If you’re going with a Spanish festival theme, a big paella is a great choice to feed all the guests at your event. Then, they can wash it down with a summery sangria.
Your fiesta entertainment might include a mariachi band, pinatas, a sombrero dance, or even a hot chilli pepper eating contest.
5. Cocktail party
Looking for an event theme for a summer hen party? Nothing says party more than a fun evening of making and drinking cocktails.
Tons of bars offer great cocktail masterclasses that show your attendees how to make their favourite cocktails. You can make it even more interactive by playing games in between and giving prizes for the best cocktail. Check out the W London hotel in Soho and its The Perception Cocktail Masterclass for inspiration.
It’s also a great event theme if you’re on a budget. Simply ask your attendees to bring their favourite bottle of spirit; you supply a range of mixers and have guests experiment to come up with their own cocktails.
Get a great summer playlist together and finish the night off with some dancing.
6. Afternoon tea picnic
A classic afternoon tea picnic is the quintessential British summer activity. Head to a local park and hire catering to provide sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea to your guests.
The tricky part is hiring furniture to set up the tables for your event, but if your guests are able, give out some picnic blankets and really hone in on the picnic theme!
Your afternoon tea can be followed by family-friendly summer games like rounders. Or, if you’re catering to adults, offer some gin or prosecco to enjoy a relaxing summer evening.
For an afternoon tea with a twist check out Paint & Pour: A Caribbean Afternoon Tea Experience or the Mad Hatter afternoon tea at Llanerch Vineyard.
7. Wine tasting party
A wine tasting is a great summer party theme for adults. Partner with a local wine bar for your event for easy organisation. Or, hire a venue or a park to allow more tailoring for your event. You can hire a sommelier for a professional touch or make it more laid back by simply choosing your favourite wines.
For inspiration, look no further than London-based Humble Grape, which runs a range of wine tastings including its World Of Wine series and Wine 101 - an Introduction to Wine.
8. Funfair party
Summer is traditionally when the funfair comes to town, making for a brilliant summer party theme.
Funfairs aren’t just for kids, as Summertime Live proves. The festival series offers three stages of live music and DJs, food vendors serving delicious food and — the icing on the cake — a funfair!
This is a great theme idea for adults or families with kids, and your decor should centre around a circus tent, bunting, and fairy lights. For a larger-scale event, you could rent out funfair games, circus performers, or fortune tellers as entertainment.
Your menu should focus on funfair basics like popcorn, candy floss, doughnuts and hotdogs. 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, 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 Miss Ivy Events Ltd and their Ice Cream & Bubbles Festival 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 organisers 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.
All Manor of Events proves you don’t need to be on the beach to bring the beach vibes with its 80s-themed Summer Beach Party.
11. Garden 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 garden 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 live music, boules, or dancing.
Check out DayLife’s outdoor ABBA Garden Party in Shrewsbury — an outdoor terrace, cocktail bar, confetti showers and non-stop Abba hits.
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 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 organiser Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club and their An Evening at the Races – Charity Race Night. With plenty of roses, juleps, and giveaways, it ticked every box.
13. Summer sports party
Egg and spoon at the ready, it’s time to revisit the unique British pasttime of school sports day for the ultimate trip down memory lane.
From sack races to tug of war, silliness is everything when it comes to sports day. You can come up with new activities, too — just don’t make them too difficult.
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 fizz to celebrate!
14. Summer treasure hunt
This is another nostalgic theme that takes a lot of us back to primary school — but you can create a highly engaging and exciting scavenger hunt to anchor your summer party. It’s also a great team-building activity for an office summer party.
Hire a venue with plenty of space so you can set up clues. You can choose different themes, like a pirate treasure hunt or an around-the-world hunt, where you take them through different countries to find their clues. Treasure hunts are great because your theme doubles as party entertainment.
If you need inspiration, event organisers like Treasure Hunt Tours are pros at this. Just take a look at their Treasure Hunt Edinburgh – The Old Town Adventure 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 whisky 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 organisers Cambridge Popup Speakeasy and their Popup Speakeasy Jazz Club event. This is a great way to work your party theme into a more modern form of entertainment.
16. Summer street party
Street parties are a great way to build a big event and make everyone in the community feel included.
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, 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 event organisers 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
