12 Fun Backyard Birthday Party Ideas For Adults (2024)

A backyard birthday party means spending time outside in the sun and fresh air. It also typically means having more room to spread out than your average indoor birthday party. If you’re in search of great backyard birthday party ideas for adults, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 12 of our most enjoyable and engaging tips and tricks to help you get started planning your next birthday bash.

Note that we’ve also included a few links to Peerspace listings that would be a good fit for some of these ideas. Peerspace is the internet’s largest online marketplace for hourly event venue rentals, and it has tons to offer when it comes to locations for your outdoor birthday party. Let’s get started!

1. Add string lights to elevate your backyard’s ambiance

One of our favorite backyard birthday party ideas for adults is a simple and extremely popular one, but it makes a major difference in the vibe! Not to mention it’s extremely affordable and therefore a low-risk option. Buy some outdoor string lights or cafe lights and hang them around the space where you’re having your party.

Or alternatively, instead of buying these lighting supplies, you can rent a space that already comes with its own lighting as the venue for your party. We love this country barndominium gathering spot in Spicewood, TX, which uses warm white string lights to cast a welcoming glow over its seating areas. It also provides space for 100 guests and is completely open-air.

One reviewer who held a birthday party for 65 guests here commented super positively on the space: “Overall experience was beyond amazing!!!! The place was so clean and the hosts were super helpful throughout the whole experience. If you are looking for an amazing spot for your special occasion this is the spot for you. 10/10 recommend.”

2. Sip colorful beverages to ensure a festive atmosphere

Who knew that the drinks you serve at your party could serve not only as delightful refreshments but also as a source of attractive decor? For this backyard birthday party idea for adults, you’ll want to find a drink recipe that comes in a shade that suits your overall color scheme for your party (assuming you’ve already decided on one).

For instance, this rainbow sangria from Gimme Some Oven comes with lots of fresh fruit mixed into white wine and creates a stunning rainbow combination of colors that your guests are sure “ooh” and “ahh” over. Providing a thirst-quenching refreshment will be particularly essential if you’re gathering in a location or at a time of year when it’s quite hot and sunny outside.

Don’t consider yourself much of a master mixologist? Then consider renting a bar venue near you through Peerspace! You not only get to choose one that has the ambiance you’re after, but many also provide food and beverage services. Be sure to provide non-alcoholic beverage options to your guests so they always have a great source of hydration available to them.

As an example, our friends in Charlotte, NC can book this tropically inspired Immersive art bar and lounge with a huge outdoor patio. It serves all sorts of colorful drinks and delicious food in a tropical island setting.

3. Have a plan to keep the bugs at bay

If you’re having a party outside, one of the notable downsides that you may or may not have considered is the likely presence of bugs that you’ll need to manage. You and your guests won’t want to leave the party with tons of mosquito bites, so if you’re at all concerned that bugs might be an issue, be sure to plan for this.

To start, here are 8 ways to keep mosquitos away from your backyard party from Food & Wine magazine. Preparing for the presence of pests is one of the smartest backyard birthday party ideas for adults.

Check out our guide on where and how to rent a backyard for a day if you’re looking to book a fresh, exciting venue for your big bash!

4. Ensure you and your guests enjoy a casual vibe

One of the best things about backyard parties is the casual vibe they easily cultivate. Rather than trying to go for a fancier feel at your backyard gathering, we’d suggest you lean into that casual feel and make every aspect of your party relatively simple.

But if you want to go all-out, focus on one or two aspects of the party to keep guests from feeling too overwhelmed – that could be food, decor, activities such as games, or whatever else you’re most excited about.

5. Serve foods that don’t need to stay hot

Preparing food on the grill is great, and we don’t want to discourage you from doing that. However, make your planning a lot easier by preparing foods that can be served cold or at room temperature, like pasta salads or spring rolls.

For inspiration, here is a list of 9 make-ahead dishes for summer parties from Greatist to get you started.

6. Take your gathering up a notch or two by planning a pool party

Have access to a pool? Make your outdoor birthday party a pool party and take your gathering to the next level!

If you’d rather rent a space that just happens to have an incredible private pool on-site, rely on Peerspace. For instance, you can rent this beachy zen studio with a serene backyard pool if you’re in Los Angeles, CA. The pool itself as well as its Jacuzzi and poolside lounge make it ideal for backyard birthday party ideas for adults.

7. Make a backyard party-perfect playlist in advance

If you’re the kind of person who tends to agonize over what songs to play when your friends hand you the aux cord, prepare a playlist in advance. It’s easy to do on the music platform of your choice (we like Spotify). It can make the day of your party that much less stressful.

We’d also suggest choosing songs that aren’t too loud or high-energy because your guests will want to be able to hear each other speaking.

8. Provide plenty of outdoor games for your guests to enjoy

One of the most fun things about an outdoor party is backyard birthday party ideas for adults like this: outdoor games!

Unsure where to begin with planning games? Then here are 12 DIY backyard party games for adults suggested by Love to Know.

9. Consider a retro throwback theme for added fun

If there’s a past decade you absolutely love the music and aesthetic of – whether it’s the 90s or the 50s – use it as inspo for your party! A retro party theme is super fun and will make for a memorable event, especially if you ask guests to dress on theme.

Peerspace is home to thousands of outdoor retro-inspired spaces, so check out what’s available near you for the ultimate backyard birthday party. One of our favorites is this mid-century oasis in Tucson, AZ that has a totally retro-inspired backyard to explore! While here, enjoy the pool, the outdoor lounge, and the home’s beautiful interior that even includes arcade games.

Speaking of MCM, check out our retro 60s theme party ideas to enhance this suggestion!

10. Make it a movie night…with a backyard twist!

One of our favorite backyard birthday party ideas for adults for just about anyone? Set up a projector outside and have a movie night with your pals!

This idea is easy to execute because all you need is a good movie, a way to play it, and plenty of great snacks. We think you can’t go wrong with popcorn and classic movie candies.

Did you know that you can also book private movie theaters through Peerspace, both indoors and out? It’s true! One of our favorites is this cozy intimate backyard cinema in Pasadena, CA. The host provides the space, the movie-playing equipment, blankets, and the bounty from their on-site fruit trees! It’s a sweet space and definitely worthy of the best backyard birthday party ideas for adults.

11. Host a sophisticated outdoor wine tasting

Are you a wine lover with a refined palate? Then your backyard birthday party can be a wine tasting! You and your friends can enjoy a bunch of different flavors while relaxing in the fresh air. Your best bet food-wise will probably be a cheese plate, so there’s yet another benefit of this idea.

Make it easy on yourself by hosting a backyard wine tasting in a well-equipped event venue that has everything you need on-site. For example, you can book this unique wine-tasting patio with eclectic vibes in Old Town San Diego, CA. This special venue has space for 80 guests and comprises a backyard covered patio with unique decor. The host also offers incredible add-on services, like catering, DJ equipment, and a blind wine tasting! Sounds super enjoyable to us!

12. Throw a potluck to enjoy a variety of yummy dishes

Instead of having to prepare all the food for your party yourself or hire a caterer, save time and energy and involve your friends in the food preparation by having all your guests bring a dish.

Make sure that some people bring desserts, some people bring main dishes, and some bring appetizers/sides. With some planning, you won’t end up with only one category of food at your party.

Backyard birthday party ideas for adults: conclusion

Whether you want to go big with your backyard birthday party ideas for adults or more low-key, this list should hopefully provide plenty of inspiration. You can always make the planning easier on yourself by booking a gorgeous backyard on Peerspace.

All spaces are owned by locals who strive to provide the perfect ambiance for your event. So you can rest assured that you can find a backyard that’s decorated to the max, offers plenty of enjoyment for you and your guests, and connects you with a helpful host who can be as hands-on as you wish. It all sounds like the recipe for a perfect outdoor birthday to us!

Find unique outdoor birthday party venues on Peerspace