You don’t have to go far to have a great New Year’s Eve party. In fact, you can easily host the holiday season’s final hurrah from the comfort of your patio, surrounded by family and friends.
Throwing a New Year’s Eve party might seem daunting since multiple powerhouse holidays come before it in quick succession. But it doesn’t have to be. With a bit of planning, you and your guests will be celebrating until the clock strikes midnight (and beyond).
Use our comprehensive guide to start your party prep. It’s filled with lots of cool ideas, tips, and tricks that fit a variety of festivity levels, whether you’re ringing in the New Year on a relaxing note or going all out with a big backyard bash. Keep reading to see fun, low-stress New Year’s Eve party ideas for all ages and occasions.
Jump to Section
Party Theme
Weather Prep
Decorations
Food and Drinks
Activities
Timeline
FAQs
Pick the Appropriate Theme
The theme you choose for your outdoor New Year’s Eve party will depend on various factors. Consider the following to help narrow your choices and settle on a theme that makes sense:
- Your personality. Are you low-key or larger-than-life?
- Your wallet. How much do you want to spend on your party?
- Your goals. Do you want a casual get-together or something more upscale?
- Your guests. How old are they, and what are their interests?
- Your lifestyle. Are you a bachelor in the city or live in the suburbs with family?
- Your space. Are you working with a roomy deck or a petite patio?
Kids’ Campout
If you live in a warmer climate and the weather is agreeable this time of year, let your kids and their friends celebrate with a backyard campout.
Crafts and Champagne
Set up a craft station where guests of all ages can create works of art to take home in the morning. For a little extra sparkle, serve glasses of bubbly (or sparkling cider for those under age).
New Year’s Day Brunch
If you’re not into staying up late to watch the ball drop, host an alfresco brunch on January 1. It will be a tasty way to start the year.
Bachelor or Bachelorette Party
Celebrate a friend’s upcoming nuptials by hosting a New Year’s Eve bachelor or bachelorette party on your patio.
Pajama Party
Who could resist coupling this comfy all-ages party theme with a starlit setting? After midnight, guests can come inside and head straight to bed.
All That Glitters Gala
Host a shimmering soiree where guests can dress in their finery. Festoon your outdoor space with silver decor and twinkling lights, offer sparkling wines in crystal flutes, and serve petit fours dusted with edible glitter.
Outdoor Movie Night
Invite the crew to enjoy your outdoor home theater, where they can snuggle up with popcorn and watch movies with notable New Year’s moments like When Harry Met Sally or Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Black and White Ball
Host a chic affair under the stars in a black-and-white palette. Send formal invitations and request that guests dress on-theme and decorate your space accordingly.
Prep for the Weather
Whatever theme you choose, your local climate will play a big role in how you plan for a backyard New Year’s Eve party.
If the weather is warm, try the following tactics to keep the party atmosphere pleasant.
- Umbrellas and Tents – Provide shade or respite from rain with well-placed umbrellas and tents. Plus, these are perfect spots for outdoor misters and fans.
- Retractable Screens – These will add privacy and block any wind or rain.
- Cold Food Storage – Set up coolers filled with refreshing drinks and situate food in containers on top of dry ice.
If the weather is chilly, you’ll need plenty of insulating layers and heat sources. Here are some ways to give your guests a warm welcome:
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- Bonfire – A roaring fire keeps everyone cozy until midnight strikes. Check your community’s laws in advance to see if you’re allowed to light a fire in your backyard.
- Fire Pit Table – If you don’t want to build a fire, a fire pit table is a good alternative. It’s safe, low-maintenance, and made to handle the elements. Plus, a fire pit table offers plenty of space for trays of hot chocolate with roasted marshmallows.
- Heat Lamps – Heat lamps are adjustable and easy to maintain, just like fire pit tables. Place several around your outdoor furniture so everyone can stay nice and warm together.
- Blankets and Pillows – Style outdoor pillows on your furniture with baskets of thick blankets nearby when guests want to curl up.
- Windbreaks – Hang outdoor curtains or screens to keep heat in and wind out.
- Hot Food Storage – Rely on crock pots and chafing dishes to keep your cider, cocoa, tamales, and other menu items at toasty temperatures.
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Pick Your Party Decor
Choose decorations that fit your chosen theme. Pinterest is a treasure trove of creative ideas you can usually buy or DIY. Here are a few New Year’s Eve decorations we found that will wow your guests.
Disco Ball Wreath
Make a sparkly statement with this DIY wreath that reimagines a dance-party staple. This project requires minimal time and effort—all you have to do is hot glue mini disco balls and silver garland to a wreath frame.
Confetti-Dipped Balloons
Offer this kid-friendly craft to young guests during party time, or make these New Year’s Eve decorations with your little ones beforehand. For an Instagram-worthy moment, use them to dress up a photo booth backdrop.
Upcycled Centerpieces
Now that the holiday season is coming to a close, it’s time to put empty wine bottles from past celebrations to good use. You can customize this DIY project to fit your party’s vibe, from glamorous golden creations to something more down-to-earth.
Festive Food
When creating the menu for your outdoor New Year’s Eve party, choose theme-appropriate items that are easy to prepare and carry outside. Make-ahead recipes are your friends here (and so are those who offer to bring a dish).
If cooking isn’t your thing, seek restaurants and grocery stores that cater New Year’s Eve celebrations. Just remember that this is a busy time of year in the hospitality industry, so make sure to get your orders in before the holiday season ramps up.
But if you do love to cook and are looking for recipe ideas, let these New Year’s food traditions from around the world inspire you:
- Hoppin’ John – This popular tradition in America’s southern states is said to bring good luck in the coming year. The dish consists of black-eyed peas, cooked greens, and cornbread.
- The 12 Grapes of Luck – Many Spanish-speaking nations observe the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight to ward off bad luck and bring good fortune next year.
- Tamales – Served year-round in Mexico, tamales are made with masa (a dough made from corn), meat, cheese, and love—all carefully wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk and steamed to perfection. At New Year’s, tamales are served with mole de panza, a soup that supposedly cures hangovers.
- Oliebollen – Also known as Dutch doughnuts, these fried, sugar-dusted pastries hail from the Netherlands. On New Year’s Eve, it’s a time-honored tradition to eat them at special gatherings.
- Marzipanschwein – You’ll find these little marzipan piggies all over Austria and Germany during Silvesterabend celebrations on December 31. They’re also called Glücksschwein, which translates to “good luck pig.”
- Soba Noodles – In Japanese culture, noodles symbolize longevity and prosperity. On New Year’s Eve, serving soba noodles at midnight is customary to welcome the coming year.
- Vasilopita – Similar to king cakes served on Epiphany, these almond-covered confections are enjoyed in Greece and Cyprus on New Year’s Day. A gold coin is baked into the batter, and whoever gets the slice containing the hidden prize will have a prosperous year.
- Cotechino con Lenticchie – Here is a savory sausage and lentil stew Italians eat during La Festa di San Silvestro. The lentils symbolize good luck and money.
- Pickled Herring – Eaten at the stroke of midnight in Scandinavia and Poland for luck in the coming year, locals often pair this dish with cream sauce or onions.
- Kransekage – This Norwegian confection is served on many special occasions, from weddings to New Year’s Eve. It’s a tower of concentric marzipan rings decorated with icing, flags, or crackers. Sometimes a bottle of aquavit is hidden beneath the layers.
Games and Activities
Encourage friendly competition and lots of laughs by planning a few activities and icebreakers to kick off a fun New Year. Here’s a list of popular party games for all ages:
- White elephant gift exchange
- Year-in-review trivia
- New Year’s bingo
- New Year’s photo booth
- Ball drop piñata
- Giant Jenga
- Flashlight tag
- Two resolutions and a lie
- Backyard scavenger hunt
NYE Party Timeline
We’ve created a timeline to ensure your outdoor New Year’s Eve party goes off without a hitch.
A Month (or Two) Before
- Select your New Year party theme.
- Send out your invites. Start a group text, a Facebook group, or mail out invitations on premium cardstock—whatever fits your budget and party aesthetic. Just make sure to include the essential details:
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- Date
- Start and end time (and the time zone)
- Address
- Establish that the party will be outside
- Ask guests to share allergies or sensitivities (e.g., latex, peanuts, eggs, etc.)
- If you’re hosting a larger, more formal party, you should also answer these questions:
- What’s the RSVP date?
- Is there a dress code?
- Are plus ones allowed?
- Is the event 21+?
- Are guests encouraged to BYOB?
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- Procure the decor. You can order items online or make your own. If you shop online, do so early, as shipping times are extended during the holiday season.
- Restaurants, supermarkets, and catering companies are extra busy this time of year, so if you plan to serve food from your favorite eatery, place your orders now.
PRO TIP
Since it’s the holiday season, you may want to check these items off your list earlier to avoid last-minute rushing.
A Week or Two Before
- Send a reminder to guests in case your party slipped their minds amidst the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Whether you’re cooking the full menu or need to supplement catering with a few snacks, now’s the time to go to the grocery store for food and beverages. If any guest shared an allergy or intolerance, you can shop accordingly.
- Whip up freezer-friendly recipes to give you more time and counter space for day-of party prep.
- Clean your outdoor areas and any rooms guests will use inside, like bathrooms, guest rooms, and the kitchen. If you have the time and desire to clean the rest, go ahead. If not, don’t stress.
- If you’re cooking outside, clean your grill or smoker and ensure you have enough charcoal, wood chips, pellets, or propane.
- Set up tents, lights, heaters, and other outdoor items.
- If you’re planning a costume party or formal affair, ensure your outfit is clean and assembled.
PRO TIP
You don’t have to do all the prep work alone. If friends and family offer to help, let them.
The Night Before
- Set yourself up for success by prepping as much food as you can ahead of time. Here’s what you can do the evening prior:
- Chop vegetables.
- Assemble cheese and fruit trays.
- Start your slow cooker recipes.
- Marinate meats for your smoker or grill.
- Bake desserts and loaves of bread.
- Set up serving tables, bar carts, discreet outdoor garbage cans, and other outdoor entertaining essentials.
- Get a good night’s sleep. You’ve got a big day tomorrow.
The Day Of
- Complete any last-minute decorating.
- Pick up your catering order/finish up the remainder of the cooking.
- Set up all food and drinks in their designated serving spaces.
- Put up signs that direct guests to bathrooms.
- Block off or lock any rooms you don’t want anyone entering.
FAQs
How do you throw a fun New Year’s Eve party?
Throw a fun New Year’s Eve party by offering great food and drinks, fun games, and a festive atmosphere that invites family and friends to celebrate together.
What time should a New Year’s Eve party start?
A New Year’s Eve party can start (and end) whenever you want. Just let partygoers know what you decide so they can arrive at the appropriate time.
How can I make New Year’s Eve at home fun?
Whatever your reasons are for celebrating New Year’s Eve at home, you can make the night fun in many ways:
- Video call faraway friends and family to say “Happy New Year.”
- Don your best pajamas and have a lively dance party.
- Start a movie marathon with all your favorite flicks.
- Play your family’s go-to board games and card games.
- Have a craft night with your kids.
- Apply a face mask, pour a cup of tea, draw a bath, and celebrate with self-care.
- Wear a nice new outfit, cook a romantic dinner, and have a candle-lit New Year’s Eve with someone special.
- Write down your New Year’s resolutions.
