It’s summertime and that means it’s time to head to the beach! Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, throwing a community event, or planning a wedding, there’s no setting better than a beautiful coastline. Splash in the surf, relax in the sand, and play in the sun with these ultimate beach party ideas.
Set the beach party scene
The stunning shoreline offers the perfect backdrop for your gathering, so you might not need a lot of beach party decor. But there are a few decoration ideas that will add to the ambiance and ensure your guests know an awesome celebration is on the horizon. Or, they can help create a beach setting even if you can’t make it to the beach.
Add to the beachy vibes
Set the scene at your beach party with pops of color. Use colorful umbrellas or surfboards to mark the barriers of the party area. Provide plenty of beach chairs or oversized beach towels to give your guests places to sit, snack, and dry off. You could also have a beautiful balloon arch to greet your guests. Just make sure it’s secured with weights or sandbags so the wind doesn’t blow it away.
Bring the beach to your backyard
For our landlocked friends without a favorite beach nearby, there are a lot of creative ways to bring the beach to you. Buy beach-themed party supplies and place tropical decorations like fake palm trees and oversized seashells around your backyard or indoor party space. You can also use fish netting and beach balls to create accents and on-theme photo backdrops.
Make some night waves
If your party plans extend past sunset, you’ll need more than the light of the moon for your guests. Check your local beach regulations to see if you can have a bonfire or tiki torches to add some natural firelight. If not, paper lanterns or clear string lights are other alternatives for soft lighting. You can even add solar-powered lights around your party area to go seamlessly from day to night.
? Take your party to the pool instead! We have Awesome Pool Party Ideas for Your Summer Celebration.
Plan your beachy menu
Spending all day in the sun and surf is sure to work up a hearty appetite. Make sure your guests have lots of simple beach-friendly food options to fill their bellies and fuel their activities. Don’t forget to add some sweet treats and refreshing drinks as well!
Pack a beach picnic
If your beach allows or provides outdoor grills, you can make classic grilled fare like burgers, hot dogs, and kabobs. But the best beach party foods can be made in advance. Prepare delicious wraps, sandwiches, and snacks ahead of time and throw them in the cooler. This will allow all your guests to eat and run — or surf — without any hassle.
Treat your tropical tastebuds
It’s always good to have some lighter options available, too. And nothing says beach party like fresh fruits. Grab all the classics like watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and pineapples, and build refreshing fruit cups and fruity snacks for your guests. Make them extra tasty with a sweet yogurt dip! These treats have no age limit, so they can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.
Serve some seaside sweets
You can’t have a celebration without dessert, especially if you’re planning a beach birthday party. Ice cream and popsicles are tempting but are quick to melt in the sun. Instead, dress up sweets like cookies and cupcakes to make them beach-themed. Get creative with colored icing, then add special touches like crushed graham crackers for sand and licorice for flip-flops or crab legs.
Sip on coastal cocktails
The easiest option for beverages is to throw beer, spritzers, soda, and juice into a cooler and call it a day. But if you want to take your beach party drinks to the next level, serve some tropical-themed cocktails. Classics like punches, sangrias, and margaritas are easy to prepare and perfect for a crowd. And you can easily make non-alcoholic versions for children or guests who don’t drink.
Have fun in the sand
Swimming and surfing will provide most of the fun, but you should have more beach party entertainment on land to keep your guests engaged. This is especially important if you’re planning something like a big beach wedding or community festival and expect a large crowd.
Get your beach game on
Volleyball, bean bag toss, a sand castle contest — the possibilities are endless for a beach party! Inspire some friendly competition with fun beach party games the whole family can enjoy. Set up water relays, hula hoop contests, or just classic sports like bocce ball or frisbee. For all-day celebrations, plan to have glow-in-the-dark games on hand so you can play into the night.
? Find something for everyone! Check out these 28 Fun Beach Games for Adults & Kids from Icebreaker Ideas.
Jam by the sea
Breaking out a guitar at a beach party is almost expected. But if you’re not musically inclined, bring in a professional! An acoustic guitar player or ukulele player can play your favorite beachy tunes and get the whole group singing along. Feeling more reggae? Try a steel drum player for a beach party straight out of the Caribbean. Add some hula dancers to turn your beach party into a Hawaiian luau.
? You might also like: Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas for a Tropical Celebration
Shell-ebrate with the kiddos
Most children at the beach are content enough with buckets, shovels, and sand. But just in case, organize some fun beach party activities specially designed for your younger guests. Unleash their inner pirate by burying treasure nearby and making a treasure map. Or, send them on a scavenger hunt to find beachy items. You could also hire a mermaid to lead sing-alongs or read stories!
? Looking for other nautical themes? Check out our ideas for a magical under-the-sea party or a swashbuckling pirate party.
If you’re planning a summer party, there’s no better setting than the beach. Turn your next special occasion into a tropical celebration. From wedding to birthday party ideas, we’ve got you covered for throwing an epic beach bash. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! ?
Want to book something awesome for your beach party? Find musicians, performers, and other event services on GigSalad.
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.