How To Throw The Best Backyard Memorial Day Party
Memorial Day party is a rare kind of celebration. For many of your friends, the meaning is important. Plus, you get to celebrate without having to spend a ton of money and effort. You only need a comfortable space (like your backyard), something grilled in one hand, a cold drink in the other, and the people you care about. So if you're wanting to throw a Memorial Day bash that everyone will enjoy, today's guide is perfect for you.
Making sure your grill is 100% clean and ready is a great first step, but here's everything else you need to know to throw the kind of party that’s relaxed, festive, and memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Throwing a Backyard Memorial Day Party
$150–$300 covers a great backyard bash. Most successful Memorial Day parties land in the $150–$300 range for food, drinks, simple décor, and games. Prioritize eats and beverages, keep decorations cohesive, and use games you already own. Patio Productions champions simple, smart hosting that looks good without overspending.
Pick one look: Stars & Stripes, Picnic, or Poolside. Choose “Stars & Stripes BBQ,” “Backyard Picnic Bash,” or “Poolside Americana.” Keep to 1–2 colors or motifs for cohesive décor and easier shopping. A focused theme streamlines everything from tableware to flowers and flags.
Aim for ~7 foods: mains, sides, finger foods, dessert. Grill burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, and veggie skewers. Add sides like corn, slaw, pasta salad, and baked beans; finger foods like chips, deviled eggs, fruit; desserts like cupcakes or flag cake. Don’t forget condiments, napkins, and extra utensils.
Lemonade, iced tea, water + beer, wine, a signature drink. Stock coolers or ice buckets, cups/tumblers, and labels. Consider a “Patriotic Punch” or limey spritz. An outdoor bar cart keeps service organized and mobile so the party flows smoothly.
Cornhole, ladder toss, bocce, scavenger hunt. Set out cornhole, water-balloon toss, ladder toss, bocce/croquet, or a patriotic scavenger hunt. Create shaded zones and offer sunscreen and bug spray so the fun lasts longer.
Go for impact: flags, bunting, flowers, lights. Line the walkway with mini flags, hang red-white-blue bunting or lanterns, fill mason jars with flowers, layer picnic blankets and cushions, and add string lights or LED candles. Shade with umbrellas to keep guests comfortable.
Have a backup, cue a playlist, stage bins, honor the day. Prep tents/umbrellas, bug spray, and fans. Add wireless speakers and a patriotic playlist. Place trash/recycling in visible spots and keep leftover containers handy. Include a brief remembrance or tribute table to honor fallen service members.
Backyard Memorial Day Tips
- Stick to a theme like "Stars & Stripes BBQ" or "All-American Backyard Bash" to streamline decor and menu ideas
- Plan a simple, balanced menu of grilled mains, shareable sides, and easy desserts
- Offer beverages for all ages—think lemonade, cocktails, and ice-cold water
- Mix in yard games, a great playlist, and a moment of remembrance to round out the day
- Prep and decorate ahead of time, so you’re not scrambling when guests arrive
Setting a Memorial Day Budget That Won’t Make You Cry Into Your Lemonade
In our experience, most successful backyard Memorial Day gatherings come together around the $150–$300 range. I've read surveys that say about 30% of party hosts stick to this budget, covering food, drinks, decorations, and games.
For me, a smart budget starts with smart prioritizing:
- Food and drinks take the biggest slice
- Decorations can be simple but thematic
- Entertainment? Use what you already have (more on that soon)
Picking a Theme That Doesn’t Feel Like a Kindergarten Play
You don’t need to rent Uncle Sam inflatables. A consistent theme keeps everything cohesive and makes shopping easier. Try one of these:
- Stars & Stripes BBQ – classic red, white, and blue everything
- Backyard Picnic Bash – gingham, mason jars, and lemonade stands
- Poolside Americana – beach towels, floaties, and fruity drinks
Keep it simple! Sticking with 1–2 theme colors or motifs makes decorating easier (and way less cheesy).
Fun & Easy Memorial Day Party Invitations
Sending out invites gives your backyard bash a sense of importance. And it's always nice to make sure everyone has a reminder of the important details. You don’t need fancy embossed stationery. Just send out some simple cards, whether they're digital or printed. Canva is a great place to find free or low-cost digital invites, with very little effort on your part. Or, if you've got the time and budget, Etsy options can give your party an elevated, classy feel.
Then follow up with your guests digitally. Send out a group text or email that reminds everyone of your party's important details. Or if you know your friend/family group is all on one social platform, that can be a great place to send out last-minute reminders or updates.
Make sure your Memorial Day invitations include:
- Time & location
- What to bring (if anything)
- Food and drink plans
- Weather plan (if applicable)
Planning the Menu (Without Losing Your Mind)
Here’s where even the best Memorial Day Party plans can get tricky… but also fun. The average backyard bash features at least 7 different foods. This usually gives allowances for different guest tastes, dietary restrictions, and just generally having a nice spread of options. Is that a magic number? No. Will it help you ensure everyone will get a Memorial Day meal to enjoy? You bet.
Crowd-Pleasers:
- Low-effort grill mains: burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, veggie skewers
- Simple sides: corn on the cob, coleslaw, pasta salad, baked beans
- Finger foods: chips & salsa, deviled eggs, fruit skewers
- Desserts: cupcakes, flag cake, fruit parfaits
Don't forget condiments, napkins, and extra utensils. You’d be shocked how many parties forget forks. Plastic utensils keep it super-simple. And recycled plastic tableware and utensils keeps it low-effort and planet-friendly. And that's something to celebrate.
Remember to Stay Safe on Memorial Day With These Outdoor Grilling Tips!
Memorial Day Beverage Selection For Everyone (Even Kids & Grandparents)
About 62 million Americans are expected to host or attend a Memorial Day BBQ. That's a lot of drink options! And while soda remains popular, more and more people enjoy a wider range of fun sipping options.
| Memorial Day Beverage Ideas | Beverage Station Must-Haves |
|---|---|
| Non-alcoholic: lemonade, iced tea, fruit-infused water | Ice buckets or coolers |
| Alcoholic: light beer, red & white wine, maybe a sangria | Plastic cups or reusable tumblers |
| A signature drink like “Patriotic Punch” or a limey vodka spritz | Labels for anything mixed or homemade |
Do yourself a favor and make sure your outdoor beverage station is organized and stocked beforehand. Often the best outdoor storage for your drinks is as simple as an outdoor bar cart.
Great Backyard Party Games & Activities
Hanging out and chatting is great. But I've heard that about 45% of guests say they prefer parties with outdoor games. I'd actually argue that some of the most memorable conversations happen during a competitive round of cornhole.
Simple, Fun Memorial Day Game Ideas:
- Cornhole
- Water balloon toss
- Ladder toss
- Patriotic scavenger hunt
- Bocce ball or croquet
Set up shaded zones and supply extra sunscreen or bug spray. Mosquitoes aren’t invited.
Backyard Decorations That Look Good But Don’t Take All Day
You don’t have to recreate the set of a Fourth of July parade. Think impact over quantity:
- Mini American flags lining the walkway
- Red, white, and blue bunting or paper lanterns
- Mason jars filled with fresh flowers
- Picnic blankets and seat cushions in theme colors
- String lights or LED candles for evening ambiance
Since backyard Memorial Day parties almost always means time spent in the sun, decorating with outdoor umbrellas are a great way to bring some shade and style. And some smart umbrella accessories bring so much to your celebrations.
Weather Prep: Because Mother Nature Has No Chill
Your guests may have received invitations, save-the-dates, and last-minute reminders… but sometimes Mother Nature doens't get the memo. And nothing can ruin your backyard Memorial Day party fun like being unprepared for summer showers, buzzing pests, or uncomfortable heat. So plan to have a backup.
Preparing for Nature's Toll on Your Outdoor Party
- Pop-up tents, pergolas, or large patio umbrellas
- Bug spray, citronella candles
- Fans or misting bottles if it's hot
- Extra towels around the pool (or a sprinkler… let’s be honest)
Want to find the best patio umbrella for your backyard bash?
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Music & Entertainment: Cue the Patriotic Playlist
What's the fastest way to amp up your Memorial Day party? Bring in some tunes! So whether you're a playlist curator or more of a shuffle-and-hope-for-the-best type of host, break out the speakers and drop some beats!
Ideas:
- “Born in the USA”
- “American Pie”
- Upbeat summer hits from all decades
- Streaming a premade playlist (Spotify has great ones for Memorial Day)
Add a wireless speaker or two, keep the volume reasonable, and let the vibes roll.
Easy Clean-Up So You Can Actually Enjoy the Afterparty
From my perspective, the only thing worse than post-party cleanup is forgetting to plan for it at all.
Have ready:
- Trash and recycling bins in visible spots
- Disposable tableware (eco-friendly, if possible)
- Leftover containers if guests want to take food home
- A broom, some trash bags, and maybe a friend who owes you a favor
Remember Why You’re Celebrating Memorial Day
Amid all the burgers, water balloons, and brews, take a minute. Honor fallen service members with a tribute table, a short speech, or even a moment of silence. A Memorial Day celebration can only be as meaningful as we make it.
Whether you go full-out with themed cocktails and inflatable decor or keep it chill with burgers and beers, just remember: it’s not about perfection. It’s about people. Food, fun, and remembering what the day truly means.
From our backyard to yours, happy Memorial Day.
And please explore our Top 10 Outdoor Grilling Fathers Day Gift Ideas, to find the perfect option for the backyard living dad in your life!
