20 Outdoor Get-Together Themes and Ideas for Fall

Take the fall fun outdoors with one of our autumn-centric party themes and ideas.

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Fun Fall Party Ideas

You've decided on your pumpkin-themed food and gathered seasonal cocktail ideas for your fall party — now it's time to pick a theme. Embrace the cool and crisp temperatures of autumn by hosting an outdoor gathering with fun fall activities. From classic themes like outdoor game night, movie night and a backyard bonfire to seasonal themes like pumpkin carving, Oktoberfest and a candy apple bar, our fall party ideas are sure to be a blast.

Pumpkin Carving Party

Fall without pumpkins is like Halloween without candy. If you want to double down on the autumnal ambiance, host a pumpkin carving party. Create a grab-and-go station with plenty of carving tools, pumpkins and beginner-friendly stencils for guests. Up for a challenge? Try one of our advanced stencils, instead.

Get Inspired: Our Best Pumpkin-Carving Tips and Tools

Outdoor Movie Night

If you’re like us, when the weather is good, you look for every excuse to bring inside activities outdoors — including movie night. Elevate the outdoor theater experience even more by rolling out a fall-themed bar cart and popcorn bar. Don’t forget to grab plenty of cozy blankets for the chilly fall nights.

Get Inspired: Everything You Need to Host an Outdoor Movie Party

Everything Apple Party

Apples are a cornerstone of fall flavors and decor, and they also make for a perfect party theme. Serve apple drinks, set your table with apple decor and serve up apple desserts to make the table feel like the essence of fall.

Get Inspired: Celebrate Fall With an Apple-Themed Outdoor Get-Together

From: Marian Parsons

Classic Cornhole Tournament

Take advantage of a cool fall day by holding a cornhole tournament in the backyard. With a minimal learning curve, this classic lawn game is fun for all ages and is sure to bring out everyone’s competitive spirit. If you’re after some variety, mix in a few other lawn games to keep everyone entertained.

Get Inspired: How to Upcycle an Old Pallet Into a Cornhole Game

Autumnal Farm-to-Table Dinner Party

A great dinner party is made up of more than just delicious food. Gorgeous autumnal decor, a warm color palette and an inviting setting will take a gathering to new heights. Fall is all about feeling cozy, so keep this in mind when choosing your environment, table setting and menu for the night.

Get Inspired: Host a Fall Farm-to-Table Dinner Party

Backyard Bonfire

Celebrate the cooler temps and crisp falling leaves with a backyard bonfire. All you need for a successful night is a fire pit, some chairs (or logs), a few friends and, last but not least, some delicious cider.

Get Inspired: How to Build a Fire Pit in an Afternoon

Wreath-Making Party

Instead of buying a standard store-bought wreath for fall, opt for making your own this year. While you’re at it, gather enough supplies for you and your friends to each craft one together. This is a fun and inexpensive way to create decor you'll display year after year, with the added bonus of enjoying the company of others.

Get Inspired: 30 DIY Fall Wreath Ideas to Spruce Up Your Front Door

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Outdoor Wine Night

If engaging conversation is what you're after, consider hosting an outdoor wine night. Hunt down all of your favorites and share them with friends, or have guests bring their favorite bottle to share and compare. Whichever you choose, ensure there are plenty of delicious cheeses, fruits and chocolate at the ready for pairing.

Get Inspired: Virtual Wine Tastings to Try at Home

Backyard Oktoberfest Party

Can't make it to Munich this year? No worries! Set up your own Oktoberfest party right in the backyard. Include your favorite German fare, festive decor and, of course, a bier bar stocked with plenty of German beers and wines, and don't forget to dress the part in a dirndl and a fun-to-craft Bavarian flower crown. Get all our Oktoberfest party-planning tips, recipe ideas, DIY decor and more in the link below.

Get Inspired: Throw the Ultimate Backyard Oktoberfest Party

From: Heather Baird

Outdoor Game Night

Just like movie night, game night is better outdoors. For board games, pull up a few chairs around an outdoor table, throw a few cozy blankets into the mix and make sure there are plenty of snacks to go around. Playing cards? We recommend taking them around the fire for a memorable night of fun.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Game Night Craft Table

If you’re hosting a get-together centered around the game, be sure to include options for those that have other interests, too. An outdoor, fall-themed craft table is the perfect way to fill four quarters with something other than football.

Get Inspired: 90+ Fall DIY & Craft Projects for All Ages

Perfect Pizza Cook-Off

If you have an outdoor pizza oven, odds are you already know how to throw a good pizza night. Round up a variety of ingredients and let everyone build their best pizza. Feeling competitive? Turn the night into a pizza competition to see who can build the best one.

Get Inspired: How to Build an Outdoor Pizza Oven

Candy Apple Bar

Whether you prefer candied apples or caramel apples, we can all agree that both are fantastic fall staples. A candied-apple bar complete with a wide variety of toppings is sure to win the kids over. Best of all, this is the perfect excuse to give in to that messy, childhood craving.

Get Inspired: How to Make Candy Apples

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Pumpkin Painting Party

This low-mess alternative to pumpkin carving is the ideal way to let everyone’s creative side show while keeping the after-party cleanup to a minimum. Set up is a breeze, too, requiring on a few necessities: paint supplies, pumpkins and an inexpensive tablecloth.

Get Inspired: 40+ Painted Pumpkin Ideas

Halloween Costume Party

In the month of October, anything Halloween goes. Fun for all ages involved, costume parties are a staple this time of year. Host a costume contest for guests with prizes, and stock the snack bar with devilishly delightful treats and drinks.

Get Inspired: Host a Halloween Costume Party

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Pie Crust Competition

A pie baking party is a fun way for you and your friends to show off a little creativity while turning out some seriously delicious treats. You can opt to have everyone bake their favorite pie, or base the competition on crust design alone to see who can turn out the most impressive-looking pie.

Get Inspired: 8 Unique + Homemade Pie Crust Designs

Beer and Halloween Candy Pairing Party

You know what goes great with Halloween candy? Craft beer. You know what goes great with craft beer? Backyards. Yes, we’re totally suggesting you host a backyard beer pairing party focused on Halloween candy, but we won’t discriminate against a few savory options like pretzels and beer cheese. It is Oktoberfest time, after all.

Friendsgiving Celebration

Friendsgiving is just like Thanksgiving but with your friends. Since many people spend Thanksgiving Day with the family, Friendsgiving is a great way to spend time with friends and eat all of the delicious foods the season has to offer.

Shop Now: 12 Festive Friendsgiving Decorations

Fall Fondue Party

Warm, delicious fondue served in a rustic bread bowl alongside a mélange of treats sounds like the perfect way to gather on a fall night. Pair your fondue with pretzels, bratwurst and a nice Oktoberfest beer, or throw some sliced apples into the mix to celebrate the season.

Get Inspired: Cheese Fondue

Backyard Tailgate Party

To many of us, fall means football. And football means tailgating. This fall, turn your backyard into the ultimate tailgating experience. Cozy decor, fan-favorite recipes and fun games will make yours the talk of the season.

Get Inspired: Throw a Game-Winning Tailgate Party

20 Outdoor Get-Together Themes and Ideas for Fall

Related To:

Shop This Look

Fun Fall Party Ideas

Pumpkin Carving Party

Outdoor Movie Night

Everything Apple Party

Classic Cornhole Tournament

Autumnal Farm-to-Table Dinner Party

Backyard Bonfire

Wreath-Making Party

Outdoor Wine Night

Backyard Oktoberfest Party

Outdoor Game Night

Game Night Craft Table

Perfect Pizza Cook-Off

Candy Apple Bar

Pumpkin Painting Party

Halloween Costume Party

Pie Crust Competition

Beer and Halloween Candy Pairing Party

Friendsgiving Celebration

Fall Fondue Party

Backyard Tailgate Party

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