Outdoor Event Ideas (2022)

If you’re thinking about hosting an outdoor event, congratulations, you’ve come to the right place!  

Outdoor events are best when the weather is good. It’s the perfect time for people to gather outside and enjoy each other’s company with good food, music, games, or activities. 

As a result, many people look forward to attending outdoor events as the pinnacle of their summer. 

Keep reading to explore many creative ideas that can take your outdoor event to the next level.

17 Outdoor Event Ideas You’ll Love

When it comes to outdoor events, the sky is the limit. You can let your imagination run wild when coming up with ideas.

To get you started, we’ve brainstormed 17 types of outdoor events that will surely please your guests.

1. Host a BBQ

Who doesn’t love a good BBQ? What’s better than grilled food, cold drinks, and good company?

You can host an outdoor BBQ in two ways. One method is to encourage people to bring their favorite BBQ food to grill. Alternatively, you can hire a BBQ company to cater your party. Both types of BBQ events are fun and will result in different experiences for everyone. 

Additionally, be aware of where you are hosting this BBQ. Some vital things to consider when hosting a BBQ are the amount of seating needed, garbage, and bathroom space. Everyone in attendance should be comfortable and happy while enjoying good food and company. 

2. Have a Picnic

A picnic is a great way to spend time outdoors with friends, family, and co-workers. Be sure to pack a blanket, some snacks, and drinks.

It’s also the style of outdoor event where you don’t have to spend much money to make it outstanding. All you need is a park with some open space and food, and you’re good to go. 

Remember to keep the food items simple and bring extra napkins. Finger food items are best for picnics, and consider how you will store perishable items that require a cooler with ice packs during your outdoor event. 

If you are hosting a picnic, games, and activities are other fun ideas to incorporate into the event. These types of entertainment will add an element of excitement to your picnic. 

3. Have a Pool Party

If you have a pool, hosting a pool party is a great way to take advantage of the summer heat and spend time with friends outdoors. If you don’t have a pool, consider renting one for the day. There are many public pools available to rent for private events.

Be sure to have plenty of food and drinks, pool toys, and floats. You will also want plenty of towels, sunscreen, and beverages. Don’t forget to keep the non-swimmers entertained and ensure everyone follows the appropriate safety measures. 

4. Have a Movie Night

Who says you must go to the movies to enjoy a good film? Outdoor movies are one of the best event ideas for a beautiful evening.

You can set up a projector and use a screen or a large white bedsheet in your backyard and have a movie night. Be sure to have plenty of snacks, like popcorn, candy, and drinks, for your guests to enjoy.

Movie nights are ideal if you live in a place that gets hot during the day. Evenings will tend to offer cooler temperatures, so you can still enjoy the outdoors with friends without getting roasted by the sun.

5. Host a Field Day

One of the best outdoor event ideas is hosting a field day. Field days are a great way to get people moving and having fun. You can offer different games and activities set up around your outdoor space. Be sure to have plenty of water on hand, and make sure that the games are age-appropriate.

Guests will surely have a lot of fun while participating in friendly competition with others. You can add excitement to an outdoor field day event by providing prizes for each contest or winning team. Awards will encourage people to compete and do their best at each event.

6. Have a Potluck

A potluck is a great way to gather friends or family together without having to do all the cooking and planning on your own.

Hosts should have a sign-up sheet so guests can choose their dishes and eliminate any repeat items. You’ll also want to ensure that you have enough plates, silverware, and cups for everyone.

A potluck is a great way to try new foods and recipes. It’s also a great way to get to know the attendees better.

7. Have a Bonfire

There’s something about a bonfire that screams summertime. Be sure to have enough wood to keep the fire going all night. You’ll also want to have enough s’mores supplies on hand.

If you have a bonfire, be sure to take all of the necessary safety precautions. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and monitor any minor children in attendance. And if you play guitar, remember to keep it handy for that evening sing-a-long. 

8. Have a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a great way to get people moving, exploring, and working together. This outdoor event idea is great when you want to facilitate team bonding or help people get to know each other.

You can tailor the scavenger hunt to your audience. For example, if you are hosting a corporate event, you can make the scavenger hunt focused on team building.

Most traditional scavenger hunts require teams to find specific items. However, you can mix things up by requiring teams to complete tasks. Adding tasks to the scavenger hunt adds a fun new twist and makes the scavenger hunt more engaging.

You’ll also want to ensure that you have a prize for the winner. A prize gives the winning team bragging rights and encourages participation.

9. Have a Themed Party

Themed parties are a great way to encourage guest participation in an outdoor event. Plus, theme parties add a new level of excitement. Encouraging guests to dress up based on the theme is an excellent way to build anticipation for your outdoor event.

Be sure to have enough supplies for the theme. You’ll also want to ensure you have a way to keep the guests entertained and mingling with one another during your event. 

10. Bring in the Food Trucks!

Food trucks are a great way to add variety to your outdoor event. They also provide a unique experience for your attendees. But, most importantly, they take the pressure off of you!

When you bring in food trucks, you do not have to worry about preparing or cooking the food. The food trucks will take care of that for you. You can try to include different cuisine choices for your guests to explore. 

Depending on your outdoor space, you can bring in as many or as few food trucks as you want. Hiring the correct number of food trucks allows you to easily adjust the amount of food you have based on the number of attendees.

11. Have a Photo Booth 

A photo booth is a great way to get people laughing and having fun. Be sure to have props that fit your theme. You’ll also want to make sure that you have a backdrop.

A photo booth allows the attendees to take a picture of their experience at your outdoor event so they can remember the incredible times they have. Also, it’s an opportunity for some free advertising.

When people take pictures at a photo booth, they often post the pictures on social media. The photos they post are free advertising for you. Posting pictures is a win-win. Your guests get a souvenir from the event, and you increase awareness for your next event. 

12. Host a Drone Party

Drones are a great way to get aerial footage of your outdoor event that you and your guests otherwise wouldn’t see. Encourage your attendees to bring their drones and ask them to share the footage with you.

The aerial footage will be incredible, and people will want to see and share it with others. Guests can compare models and see what features other drones have. Technology buffs will enjoy checking out the many options of drones in the market and seeing how well they operate. 

13. Host a Dance Party

People love music and dancing. Whether you choose music from the same genre or include many types, hosting a dance party can get attendees mingling and having fun.

However, you want to ensure your guests can hear the music during outdoor events. Losing the sound can instantly kill the vibe at your outdoor event. The best way to prevent this from happening is to use outdoor speakers. 

Many people make the mistake of using indoor speakers at outdoor events. Unfortunately, indoor speakers are not rated for exposure to the elements like high temperatures, water, and wind. Any of these elements could cause your music to cut out.

Be sure to test the outdoor speakers before the event. You want to ensure that they are working correctly and that the sound quality is good.

14. Host a Karaoke Party 

If you enjoy heading out to your local karaoke bar with friends, hosting your very own karaoke party can be a hit with your guests. If you do not own a karaoke machine, they are easy to rent from various party planners and special event rental companies. 

You can give out prizes for the best song, assign a designated MC, and even include special lighting to bring the event together. Some hosts may stick to one genre of music, while others let the guests choose the type of music they want to sing in front of everyone. You could include props to help make it even more exciting, as the performer uses a cowboy hat, a feather boa, or an umbrella while singing their song. 

15. Plan a Gardening Party 

When the weather is nice, you can host a gardening party that will have your guests outdoors with you, working in soil and creating their own unique masterpiece to take home afterward. 

When hosting a gardening party, you only need to offer gardening soil, various clippings of plants for the guests to choose from, and planters if you wish. Some attendees may want to bring their unique planters, so your party can provide them or have everyone come with one to use. 

16. Host an Outdoor Art Event 

If you have connections to local artists, you can host an outdoor art event to showcase their talents and offer up pieces for sale. 

If you do not have ties to the art community but love art, invite your friends, family, and colleagues to join you for an outdoor painting class. Many art teachers offer one-time structured classes for a small fee and will come to your location to guide your guests on creating a beautiful work of art to take home after. 

17. Offer an Outdoor Mixology Event 

If you and your guests enjoy creating unique cocktails, you can host your very own at your next outdoor event. Providing different tables with various ingredients can make it easy for attendees to move along the mixing stations and create drinks they never tried before. 

You can hire a professional bartender to help guide your guests as they mix new spirits or have copies of instructions for unique drinks at each station for everyone to use. Be sure to add extras to the tables for finishing touches, such as slices of lemon, lime, maraschino cherries, paper umbrellas, and anything else that you fancy. 

Try having a contest for the best homemade Caesar and include items for skewers to create a complete meal with their drink. Bacon, onion rings, chicken fingers, and more can be unique ways to dress up a Caesar and make your outdoor mixology event even more fun.  

Why Host an Outdoor Event?

If you need the motivation to host an outdoor event, here are some terrific reasons why taking the party outside is better. 

Outdoor events can be:

• More affordable than indoor events
• An excellent opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful weather
• Perfect for large or small groups
• Provides a unique experience for your guests

In addition, hosting an outdoor event allows the host to not worry about having people in their home or renting a facility. It is a win-win!

Once you decide to host an outdoor event, it’s time to start planning.

Event Planning

Planning a successful outdoor event can be overwhelming. Hosts can easily get lost in the details with many factors to consider when creating an incredible outdoor event.

Outdoor events require a lot of coordination and logistical planning. Nailing down the details is essential for a well-run outdoor event. If you are unsure where to start, check out this guide to event planning.

Whether you use one idea for a stand-alone event or combine multiple ideas to create a more interesting and engaging outdoor event, your guests will have a great time.

When throwing an outdoor event, be sure to consider the location, food, entertainment, and supplies. These four elements are critical aspects of planning your next outdoor event.

Outdoor Event Locations

Choosing a location is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make when planning your outdoor event.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an outdoor event location, such as

• Proximity to public transportation
• The size of the space
• Noise restrictions
• The type of event

Most outdoor events are held at a local park or public space because parks and public spaces are typically large enough to accommodate a large crowd.

Alternatively, you can choose a fun destination for your outdoor event. Choosing an exciting location will make your event more memorable. However, it can also add a lot of challenges to planning and nailing the logistics.

If you are interested in choosing an exotic location for your next outdoor event, check out this guide on destination event planning. This guide does a great job of breaking down the considerations to keep in mind and will help you plan an incredible destination event.

Wrap Up

Outdoor events are a great way to get people together. They provide an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the company of others. If you use some of the ideas in this article, your guests will have a great time. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of throwing an outdoor event, contact LIV Technical. LIV can help you with all of your event production needs.