The best summer party themes and ideas: 15 ways to host the ultimate celebration

If ever there was a time to relish the sunshine, the summer of 2025 would be it. After a pretty cold and dreary winter, and recent summers failing to deliver the degrees we’ve become accustomed to, this is the excuse we need. Finding a summer party venue is easier now than ever before, thanks in part to our free venue finding service. And with so many glorious summer party venues across the country, we’re really spoiled for choice. But with so many choices, you’ll need a great summer party theme or idea to pull the whole event together.

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Whether you are looking to throw a summer corporate event or a summer party with friends and family to make up for all those missed celebrations, start exploring some of our best summer party themes and ideas. The options are practically limitless, but we’ve rounded up some of the best summer party ideas out there right now, so your event is as on-trend and memorable as can be.

We’ve also taken account of the unpredictability of the British weather, so while we won’t be able to guarantee your summer party will be a sunny affair on the day, there are plenty of summery party themes that transfer well to indoor venues too. When it comes to planning your summer party theme, take some time to think about the style of event you would like. Do you want a formal affair with an elegant setting and a sit-down dinner? Would you prefer it to really feel like a party, with drinks flowing and plenty of dancing? Or, are you keen to centre the day around a fun activity? Just use the links below to navigate through them all and discover the best summer party ideas for your group.

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Summer party ideas with activities
Elegant summer party ideas and themes
Classic summer party themes and ideas
Unusual summer party themes and ideas

Summer party ideas with activities

It's a two for one, a great summer party idea and a little bit of team bonding mixed through. Below you'll find some great summer party ideas with activities and potential themes to follow.

Test your skills with a cooking class

people in a cooking class Cooking classes are a great way to collaborate on a joint project, just look at The Avenue Cookery School to find out why

A great option for small groups and those concerned with getting rained out, there’s nothing quite like cooking together to enhance a party vibe. We’ve got a whole host of great cooking classes across the UK, each with different menus. At many of them, you’ll be able to decide on a particular cuisine, whether it’s from the sun-soaked shores of Turkey or getting to grips with all the Italian classics. Plus, you’ll often be treated to some drinks during the class, and get to enjoy your meal together afterwards.

Cooking class ideas:

Create a ‘star cooker’ award
Give out personalised kitchen kit
Create a slideshow intro like MasterChef and Great British Menu

Book a drinks experience

large glasshouse and people tasting gins The Bombay Sapphire Distillery offers several VIP and masterclass courses for all things gin and cocktail and gin-based

While we might not want to admit it, one of the main activities at British summer parties is drinking. So why not add a little structure and learn from the professionals while you’re at it? The world of mixology is a broad and interesting one, and we bet a few people among you will be keen to show off their cocktail shaking skills and gin knowledge. Discover all the drinks-based experiences available right now.

Cocktail masterclass ideas:

Invite your guests with a note attached to a bottled cocktail
Go for a tropical cocktail theme
Have your guests dress up as well-known drinks

Get competitive with team-building venues

activity couyrse at leeds castle surrounded by a moat There are loads of venues out there, like Leeds Castle, that can offer multiple activities and are real pros at corporate teambuilding events

Summer parties are all about bringing the team together. But dinner and drinks can be a little too ordinary for that, so it’s always a fab idea to include a little problem solving and some collaborative games into the celebration (though it’s a good idea to do this before the prosecco comes out!). Whether it’s an archery class and clay pigeon shooting, or a full-blown assault course, there are great team-building days throughout the UK.

Summer team-building ideas:

Make it a sports day theme with different ‘houses’ against each other
Host an awards ceremony afterwards
Stay overnight at a team-building venue with accommodation

Elegant summer party ideas and themes

Sometimes, you need a little extra hit of luxury. Summer parties are no different. But as it can be a bit of a task to pull off an elegant and refined summer celebration, here's some inspiration:

Take a summer cruise on the river

Sail down the river, enjoying delicious barbecue menus with every detail looked after by Thames Luxury Charters

Give your summer party a nautical feel by theming your celebrations around a boat party. There are plenty of boats and vessels available for party hire across the UK, and many of them are partnered with caterers, so you won’t have to worry too much about food and drinks! The sheer novelty of partying on a boat is bound to create lasting memories. And if you’re looking to escape the city, there are plenty of opportunities to explore waterways in the countryside. The River Boat Company, for example, sets off from various Oxfordshire piers along the upper Thames.

Boat party ideas:

Invite guests with a yacht ‘boarding pass’
Implement a nautical dress code or Pirates of the Caribbean theme
Create mini-teams for team-building games, each with its own ‘captain’
Serve nautical-inspired cocktails

Hone your palate with a wine tasting

Take a wine tasting masterclass at Denbies Wine Estate, followed by a vineyard tour and canape reception

What’s more classy than a wine tasting? Enjoy some great tipples (responsibly, of course) and hear about the history of the vineyard and wine producers. Wine making is a complicated process, but whether you’re at London Cru Urban Winery or an out-of-the-way vineyard surrounded by grapevines, there’s so much to learn.

Wine tasting ideas:

Focus on sustainable winemaking
Create a post-tasting quiz
Test out some pairings with food

Enjoy dinner with a view

DoubleTree by Hilton Tower of London offers jaw-dropping views, whether you opt for the Savage Garden rooftop bar or another event space

A great view will always elevate a summery event. And fortunately, there are plenty of venues with incredible views to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a small, intimate dinner during golden hour or keen to pull out all the stops and enjoy food and drinks with a modern venue and excellent catering, it’s up to you!

Dinner with a view ideas:

Create a dining with the stars celebrity dress code
Set up a floral background for golden hour photos
Focus on a starry sky theme

Have a fancy tea party

Invite up to 100 guests for tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair (left), or host a small but relaxing garden-themed group afternoon tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens (right)

A fancy tea party is a great option, especially if you’re thinking about how to host a sober-friendly party this summer. Even if you’re not, Champagne teas are all the rage these days. But whether you keep it traditional or not, there’s a reason afternoon tea has persisted as one of the nation's most elegant pastimes - cute dinky cakes are just too hard to turn down! And with a fine selection of themed afternoon teas, covering it all from Harry Potter to British florals.

Summer tea party ideas:

Nominate a resident Mad Hatter for the day
Revisit the history of the tradition
Make it a family day

Classic summer party themes and ideas

While it's nice to try something new from time to time, sometimes the classics are simply the best. Summer should be about beach days, sunshine, and barbecues. Trends are trends for a reason!

Let loose with a tropical beach party

A riverside venue that caters to all event types, Limin South Bank is a top choice for summer parties with Caribbean flair

It’s unlikely your budget will stretch to cover an all-inclusive tropical holiday, but the next best thing is just around the corner. Whether you’re looking to inject some fun with a Caribbean theme at Limin, or keen to go for a hog roast or BBQ party vibe at London City Beach, this is one of the most popular summer party ideas. We’re talking all the bells and whistles, Hawaiian shirts, beach huts, ping pong games, Pina Coladas and tiny umbrellas you could wish for.

Tropical beach party ideas:

Host a wackiest sunglasses competition
Set up activities like limbo, beach volleyball, and sandcastle building
Give out beachy party favours to take home

Host a garden cocktail party

Chelsea Physic Garden is a historic institution available for large-scale dry-hire cocktail parties and canape receptions

Few things in life are better than cocktails in the sunshine, but it’s even better when you can enjoy them surrounded by lush greenery and gardens full of flowers. Fortunately, even in London, there are plenty of venues with gardens and courtyards to enjoy. Whether you’re keen on the idea of a relaxed garden party

Garden party ideas:

Rename your cocktails according to British summer flowers
Make it a gingham-filled themed affair
Offer garden games like croquet and giant Jenga

Bring the heat with a barbecue

After team-building and entertainment, the West London Shooting School can put on a proper barbecue spread

A proper barbecue is the hallmark of the British summer time, so it’d be a shame to ignore this cultural necessity in the warmer months. Whether you’re keen to plan the day yourself or go for a great venue with a fantastic barbecue menu, there aren’t many problems that burgers, hot dogs, and kebabs can’t solve. Plus, there are so many different kinds of barbecue out there, you can set a theme from anywhere in the world.

Barbecue party ideas:

Make the day flame-themed
Set up a make-your-own cocktail table
For dessert, offer a chocolate fondue and s'mores station

Unusual summer party themes and ideas

Fancy a change? Check out these weird, wacky, and unique summer party ideas. From behind-the-scenes tours to sensory experiences, here are some great ways to shake things up this year:

Have a movie-themed night

Discover the work behind the making of Harry Potter, and follow it up with drinks in the Warner Bros. Studio Forbidden Forest and an elegant dinner on Platform 9¾

Yes, this one might initially feel a bit tame and indoorsy for a summer party. But movie nights can transport your team to another world. You could choose to embrace this theme in a number of different ways. Find a venue that can hold an outdoor cinema screening for the ultimate drive-in cinema experience, followed by a party. Movie snacks and milkshakes will make the experience feel even more authentic. To kick it up a notch, why not incorporate some behind-the-scenes experiences and team building at the Warner Bros Studio? Think broomstick flying, wand-duelling, and spell-casting.

Movie night ideas:

Invite guests with cinema-ticket style invitations
Serve popcorn and other movie-inspired snacks
Name tables after iconic film stars or characters
Host a movie quiz

Paint and sip in the dark

low light room with canvas glowing in the dark One of the most unusual summer party experiences out there, Rembrandt van Wine is all about new experiences and bottomless wine

There are loads of amazing paint and sip experiences in London and the UK, but for summer parties with a difference, we can pretty much guarantee you won't have tried this one before. Allow your group to release their inner Picasso in neon form, with an unusual painting in the dark experience. Wine, snacks and soft drinks are part of the deal, and you’ll get some expert painting tips too. Who knows, you might have the next David Hockney hiding among you. Afterwards, everyone can take their creation home to admire.

Paint and sip ideas:

Vote for the best painting
Theme the session around your company
Set up a temporary art gallery to show off your creations

Spend a day at the races

race course with a small cart serving food The Jockey Club boasts an impressive array of venues across the UK, including outdoor hire at Epsom Downs Racecourse

Kick off the summer with a day at the races. Have everyone get their glad rags on and get yourselves down to place a few (responsible) bets. Sparkling wine, Pimms, and canapes are a great way to elevate the day. Plus, many of the UK’s best sporting venues are able to offer plenty of indoor spaces too, and can host additional team-building activities. Sandown Park, for example, comes with go-karting and dry-slope skiing among other fun things to do.

A day at the races party ideas:

Have a (fictional) horse naming competition
Make it a My Fair Lady themed affair
Play pin the tail on the donkey

Create your own festival

woodland festival set up with a stage With plenty of experience hosting full-blown festivals, Wasing Estate can offer all the expertise you need for a festival-themed summer party.

Celebrate summer festivals by hosting a Coachella-inspired celebration. A venue with plenty of outdoor green space would be the perfect place to accommodate you and your guests, and you will find plenty of festival-inspired decor ideas. With a variety of catering options, we would suggest keeping things casual with street food style catering and a host of craft beers and cocktails to set the tone of your day.

Festival party ideas: