6 outdoor entertaining trends you have to try this summer

As warm weather arrives, it’s the ideal time to get outside and soak up the sun. And if you’re planning to host friends and family at your home this season, you’re likely in party planning mode. “People will use any excuse to spend time with family and friends, and that’s a great thing,” says Yardzen design director Kevin Lenhart. Wow your guests with these trending outdoor entertaining ideas from professional event and party planners.

1. Add ambience with layered lighting.

One way to create a festive ambience is by leaning into lighting. Michelle Durpetti, founder of Durpetti Events, suggests layered lighting to create a party-ready atmosphere.

“This includes a mix of string lights, lanterns, recessed pathway lighting, and dramatic uplighting for trees or architectural elements,” Durpetti says. “Smart, dimmable LED fixtures allow hosts to adjust the lighting to match the mood.”

Try hanging lights overhead and setting them along tables as well. “Pendant lighting over dining areas adds a refined touch, while flameless candles and tabletop lanterns provide a soft, intimate glow,” Durpetti says. “One of the biggest trends is projection lighting, where customizable light patterns or color washes create a dynamic atmosphere. For seamless execution, homeowners should opt for wireless, app-controlled lighting systems.”

Done correctly, layered lighting draws the eye and encourages mingling. “In addition to lamps, layered lighting is key: soft, low-glow lanterns, twinkle lights woven through greenery, and downlighting from pergolas all contribute to a magical evening atmosphere,” says Cassie LaMere, founder and creative director of luxury event planning company Cassie LaMere Events.

2. Upgrade your outdoor kitchen.

Have an outdoor kitchen? The trend for 2025 is to upgrade this space and incorporate it into your events as a place to congregate while prepping food.

“Outdoor kitchens are becoming more sophisticated and fully equipped, mirroring indoor kitchens in both design and functionality,” Durpetti says. Key trends include smart technology integration, such as app-controlled grills, pizza ovens, and outdoor refrigerators.

Of course, don’t limit yourself to the standard grill or stovetop. “Homeowners are also investing in custom-built cooking stations, featuring wood-fired ovens for Neapolitan-style pizzas and built-in smokers for barbecue enthusiasts,” Durpetti says. “Mixed-material countertops, like natural stone and concrete, add both durability and style.”

3. Get cozy.

Just because you’re outside during your event doesn’t mean you have to rough it. “Try creating gathering spaces that are sheltered in some way, perhaps by an adjacent tree with an overhanging canopy or a pergola with open sides, then provide long sightlines across the yard to a focal point or distant scenery,” Lenhart says.

Comfort and flexibility are crucial for seating. “Chairs need to be a pleasure to sit in, and they need to be simple to move,” he adds.

4. Try a new seating arrangement.

Seating eight at a round table is a tradition reserved for weddings and business dinners. “Seating looks its best when it appears to be a part of a single cohesive spatial design, and not like a series of objects sitting on an unrelated surface,” Lenhart explains. “Adjacent tables, planting, lighting, or other elements can go a long way toward presenting seating as part of an integrated scene.”

Try something new in your backyard for 2025. “Beyond aesthetics, it’s all about creative layouts,” says LaMere. “Traditional seating arrangements are giving way to more fluid configurations — think serpentine, half-circle, and horseshoe setups that encourage organic conversation and movement.”

Of course, you don’t even need traditional dining tables. You make the rules.

And dining isn't limited to just the deck or patio. “I am excited about immersive outdoor entertaining this year: setting the dining table up very close to the gardens, underneath a beautiful tree, chairs set in the rose garden—being as close to the plants and flowers as you possibly can be,” says designer Joanna Buchanan.

5. Get together just because.

Birthday parties, holidays, and graduation parties might claim much of your summer calendar, but these days, the trend is to find new excuses to get together.

“Wellness-focused get-togethers are also trending — outdoor sound baths, guided breathwork sessions, and alfresco metaphysical readings are redefining what a social gathering looks like,” LaMere says. “Instead of centering on food and drink, these events emphasize relaxation, connection, and mindfulness.”

Of course, events don’t have to be structured.

Embrace a last-minute bash if you have the capacity. “We do a lot of impromptu events for the children and their sports teams — and parents! — in the summer,” Buchanan adds. “As long as you have all the essentials at home, there's no reason not to throw together a party at the last minute after a great team win!”

6. Try an interactive meal.

Party planners say another popular trend in 2025 is to make the cooking and dining experience more immersive. “Gatherings are getting more interactive and experience-driven,” LaMere says. “Instead of the traditional dinner party, we’re seeing hands-on culinary gatherings like cookbook clubs, where guests cook from the same book and share their creations.”

If you can afford it, consider hiring a professional chef or simply making the cooking process one your guests can partake in and enjoy. “Hibachi nights, pasta-making dinners, and tableside sushi-rolling experiences bring an element of entertainment to the meal itself,” LaMere adds. “These gatherings are about making the act of cooking as much a part of the social experience as the meal itself.”

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)