You’ve worked long and hard all year, fueled by coffee and deadlines. Well, worker bees, we’ve got good news for you. Labor Day is all about celebrating your hard work with nothing but peace and relaxation! In case you’ve been working so hard that you’ve forgotten how to relax, here are five chill ways to celebrate with a Labor Day party.
1. Throw an end-of-season pool party
Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, so there’s no better time for a last hurrah in the pool! Invite your friends and family for a day of fun in the sun before your pool closes for the season.
Book some beach music or a cover band to play your favorite summer jams while you swim. Hire a bartender to serve up delicious summer cocktails while you bask in the sun. After all, it’s hard not to relax when you’re poolside with a drink in your hand.
If you don’t have access to a real pool, simply create a water extravaganza in your backyard with kiddie pools, giant slip n’ slides, and water balloon games.
🏊 Read this: 15 Awesome Pool Party Ideas for Your Summer Celebration
2. Host an elegant all-white party
We’ve all heard you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Whether you abide by it or not, it’s a great excuse to throw an all-white Labor Day party! Encourage your guests to dress all in white for an elegant, relaxing theme.
The color scheme is simple, with party decorations themed in white. If it’s a dinner party, plan on white tablecloths with white floral centerpieces. Streamers, balloons, candles, paper lanterns, and string lights are other easy choices for a white party theme.
Keep the drink menu festive with white-themed cocktails like white Russians, white sangria, and piña coladas. Add a tasty vanilla ice cream bar as a refreshing treat for your summer bash.
🎨 Want to add more color? If white isn’t your thing, throw a color party instead!
3. Relax with a backyard movie night
Labor Day party ideas are all about taking it easy. What’s better than lounging in your backyard and watching a classic summer flick? Rent an inflatable movie screen and host an outdoor movie night!
Decorations can be minimal for this theme. Try some beautiful string lights to set a nice ambiance, or get film-themed items to turn your backyard into a private theater. Include an abundance of cozy pillows and blankets, or encourage guests to bring their favorite outdoor lounge chair.
Choose a crowd-pleasing movie like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” or “The Goonies” for feel-good summer adventures that will have everyone feeling nostalgic.
🎞️ Need help planning? Check out: Fun Ideas for a Cozy Backyard Movie Night
4. Embrace an endless summer party
Pretend vacation will never end with an “endless summer” party theme! Encourage guests to wear beachwear like Hawaiian shirts, colorful flip-flops, and cut-off shorts. Book a local DJ to spin your favorite sunny jams and clear space to dance the night away.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a little gaudy with your party decorations when you’re holding onto summer! Use colorful beach balls, pink flamingos, and palm trees to keep the theme bright and cheerful.
Have a potluck and ask each guest to bring their favorite summer dish. Then serve fresh cocktails like Moscow mules, mojitos, or mai tais.
🕶️ You might also like: 10 Unforgettable Themes for a Summer Party You’ll Love
5. Chill out with a cookout
Borrow your Labor Day party ideas from the Fourth of July with a good old-fashioned cookout. Fire up the grill for burgers, hot dogs, barbecue chicken, or ribs. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to bring easy side dishes like potato salad, baked beans, or corn on the cob.
The decorations can be sweet and classic with checkered tablecloths, aluminum bins filled with soda and beer, and an old-fashioned s’mores station!
Keep the kiddos entertained with a party inflatable, such as a bounce house or water slide! Then, set up fun adult yard games, such as ladder ball or a bean bag toss, for some laidback competition.
☀️ Looking for more ideas? Check out: 25 Awesome Outdoor Party Ideas
Gathering for a Labor Day party is all about chilling out, reminiscing, and making new memories. Whether you go all out with a big theme or just hang in the backyard, the important part is the quality time together. Enjoy the long weekend with your friends and family!
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.