Outdoor Fall Party Ideas to Kick Off the Season
We’ve made it. Crisp, cool mornings are here, leaves are falling, and there’s football on the TV. Should we go on? Fall is many people’s favorite season, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re excited about cooler weather and the activities that come along with it, throwing a party is a perfect way to celebrate. Plan an outdoor fall party for all your friends and family, and even better — create a fun theme around it. Here are some ideas to get your wheels turning.
Football watch party
If you watch football over the weekends, whether it be high school, college or professional, throw a party so you can watch it with others. This can be as simple as sitting on the couch in your basement or going all out with football-themed decor, a half-time touch football game with guests or a cookoff with designated judges.
Rented items help ramp up the fun, too. Set up your TV in your garage or on the patio, then turn to your local rental store for tables and chairs — and food service items. Chafers, a food pan, water basin and heat source combination are perfect for keeping food stations hot all game long. There are both electrical and fuel heat source options. Insulated beverage dispensers can keep hot chocolate at the ready during those cooler games, while large coolers can keep cold beverages cold.
Night games can be projected onto an inflatable projector to create a larger screen. This option is perfect for the whole neighborhood to gather around. The same projectors can be used to create a cozy outdoor movie night. Add some comfortable seating options and a popcorn machine and you have a fall night to remember.
Halloween extravaganza
Put a twist on the traditional Halloween party with a costume theme, such as animals, pop culture or a period in time. This is a great icebreaker if you have guests from multiple friend groups because it gives them an easy conversation starter. New and old friends alike will have a blast comparing costumes.
If kids are celebrating with you, consider a bounce house or other inflatable. Bounce houses are great for children of nearly any age, from crawlers to middle schoolers.
Check to see if your store has inflatable fall party decorations such as oversized spiders, ghosts or skeletons. Or maybe you’d prefer a fog machine, frightful lighting and Halloween decor props — any of which can round out the spooky setup. Make handing out candy to trick-or-treaters easy by renting a cotton candy machine.
Game Night
Move game night from the living room to the backyard. You’ll not only switch up the games you play, but you’ll also have room for many more guests. For added competition, split into teams and keep a tally of who wins each game — whichever team has the most tallies together wins!
You can rent yard games like giant Jenga, giant Connect 4, Putterball, yard pong, disc golf, ladder ball, cornhole and more. Rent a few different games to keep guests entertained and busy. Not into yard games? Try the casino game route instead. Rent blackjack, craps and poker tables, as well as roulette wheels and slot machines.
Additional fall events include an Oktoberfest theme with Bavarian pretzels and German beer and Friendsgiving, a Thanksgiving celebration with friends. Talk to your local rental store about their fall party ideas and the supplies they have to offer. Or, search using the store locator above to find fall party supplies near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you throw a fall harvest party?
A fall harvest party is a great way to celebrate the bounty of fall. Decorate with quintessential fruits and vegetables, such as gourds, pumpkins and apples, and plants like mums, sunflowers and pampas grass. Regarding food, incorporate a hearty main dish, flavorful salad, seasonal bread and themed baked goods. For a special drink, apple cider is a smart move as it’s universally loved by kids and adults.
What do you do at a fall party?
That depends on the host. You might pick apples, carve pumpkins, watch football or participate in a Halloween costume contest. The host should give you a heads up if you’re expected to wear a costume or bring a side dish to share.
What are some fall party themes?
Here’s a list of fall party ideas and themes to consider:
- Oktoberfest
- Cornhole tournament
- Farm-to-table dinner
- Soup soiree
- Outdoor movie night
- Cider or wine tasting
- Painting party
- Pumpkin carving contest