Outdoor fall party ideas and inspiration help to celebrate the season in style.

Everyone thinks about summer when it comes to outdoor entertaining, but fall is our favorite season for outdoor entertaining and we have some fall party ideas for your inspiration.

Just think about it: in autumn, it’s not stinking hot, there are fewer bugs, the cooler evenings are perfect for outdoor fires, and you don’t have to worry about working around too many vacation schedules. There are also plenty of great autumnal opportunities for entertaining. From tailgates and soccer games to Halloween and Oktoberfest, we’ve some great fall party ideas to make your shindig a super easy success.

Fall Party Ideas and Inspiration

1. Lighting

Since it turns darker earlier, figuring out a lighting solution ahead of time is a necessity for those shindigs that will run later than the afternoon. String lights and mason jar luminaries can work to shed some light, as well as some atmosphere, on your get together.

2. Firepit

There’s nothing more perfect during the autumn season than sitting around a firepit. It’s one of our favorite fall party ideas because it serves multiple purposes–it provides warmth, light, and atmosphere. You can buy an already made firepit, or make a DIY firepit.

3. Signature Drink

Whether you plan on serving adult beverages, every party can benefit from a signature drink. Autumn Sangria is a thing right now; Hot Toddy’s are great on a cooler day, or how about a lovely spiked (or non-spiked) Hot Apple Cider? We also are loving Rob Roy’s now (a variation on the Manhattan) and the scotch is just perfect for the fall season.

4. Picnic Basket

If you are entertaining a small group of friends away from home (like at a tailgate) consider investing in a picnic basket with all the trappings. Not only can you pack favorites like figs, cheese, nuts, olives, crusty bread, dijon mustard, and wine, but you can have real cutlery too! Everyone hates that plastic stuff.

5. Outdoor Games

If you are entertaining outdoors with children, you must include kid-friendly activities for the day. Lawn croquet is fun and appropriate for all ages. A backyard scavenger hunt, cornhole game, and no-carve pumpkin decorating are activities that can entertain kids (and grownups) of all ages.

6. Baked S’mores

Among our fall party ideas, our latest obsession is for baked s’mores. This tasty treat has all the sweetness of over the fire s’mores with the mess. Simply pour one bag of milk chocolate morsels in a cast iron pan. Top with marshmallows and bake on 350 for 10 minutes. Guests can scoop up the goodness with graham crackers.

7. Highlight the Bounty

As far as food, keep it simple, rustic, and emphasize the bounty of the season. A cheese board with figs, nuts, and local honey always satisfies; individual baked apples are easy to make and easy to serve, and pumpkin hummus is a tasty twist on the classic party food.

8. Pumpkins!

Pumpkins are completely necessary at any fall party. They have many uses too. Hollow one out for use as an ice bucket. You can also make pumpkin soup and serve it in a hollowed-out pumpkin. Roasted pumpkin seeds would make a great salty treat (add them to the cheese board). And finally, a pumpkin carving contest would make for the ultimate autumn fun.

Related on EcoSalon

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Add a Backyard Fire Pit and Make the Most of Autumn

Image: Pumpkin Ice Bucket via Shutterstock

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