Welcome to Al Fresco Week

Entertaining friends and family at home is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But come summertime when you can take the gathering outside? That’s next-level magic. With the sky for a ceiling, garden greenery for décor, and birds supplying the soundtrack, entertaining in the great outdoors is hard to beat.

We love it so much, in fact, that we are dedicating a whole week to all things summer al fresco. Join us daily as we share creative ideas and helpful tips, delicious food and drink recipes, curated shopping, and much more to help inspire your best outdoor entertaining yet.

Day 1: How to Host Al Fresco

At its most basic, entertaining outdoors can be as simple as bringing plates of food to the patio—but why stop there? There are endless ways to create an al fresco gathering that's so special your guests will remember it for years. From setting up the perfect self-serve bar to hosting a flawless barbecue, see our ideas for making your party feel as effortless as a breezy summer day.

More Tips for Hosting Al Fresco

• 12 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Backyard for Summer Entertaining
• Setting the Table to Make Dining Al Fresco Even More Enjoyable 
• 12 Tips for Hosting a Successful Summer Barbecue or Cookout
• How to Set Up a Self-Serve Bar for Easy Outdoor Entertaining
• 11 Foods and Drinks You Should Never Serve at an Outdoor Party
• How to Set Up an Outdoor Buffet Table the Right Way

Day 2: What to Serve

One of the summer's many joys is firing up the grill and cooking a feast outside—which often plays a starring role in entertaining al fresco. The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but in the summertime, the backyard barbecue steals the show. Take a stroll through our best grilling recipes and ideas—and some of our favorite summer party dishes—all of which promise something delicious for everyone.

More Ideas for a Backyard Feast:

• 15 Delicious Ways to Top a Hot Dog
• 6 Grilling Mistakes Even Experienced Cooks Make
  
• 32 Cookout Sides for Your Next Summer Gathering
• 35 Summer Potluck Ideas to Bring to Your Next Get-Together
• 9 Summer Menus to Inspire Your Next Dinner Party
  
• The Right Way to Grill Burgers for a Crowd
• How to Keep Food Safe at Your Outdoor Summer Party
  

Day 3: The Delicious Details—Drinks, Appetizers, & Desserts

The main course may be the star of the party, but it's nothing without its supporting cast of refreshing beverages, small bites, and sweet treats. Even the simplest of gatherings can be elevated when thought is given to the details. Since hosting a party involves so many moving parts, we are partial to drinks and menu items that don't require a lot of in-the-moment fuss. Big-batch drinks, make-ahead appetizers, and party desserts, anyone? We've got you covered.

More Summer Drinks, Appetizers, and Desserts

• 21 Summer Cocktails to Sip All Season
  
• 10 Ways to Upgrade Your Summer Cocktails
• The Batanga Is the Cocktail of Summer—Here's How to Make It
• 6 Summer Dips That Are So Easy to Make, You Hardly Need a Recipe
  
• 19 Summer Appetizers for All Your Warm-Weather Gatherings
  
• 30 Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes Guaranteed to Delight
  

Day 4: Setting the Scene

While the décor inside a home may be somewhat static, Mother Nature provides a gorgeously dynamic ambience for outdoor spaces—it is one of the great beauties of entertaining al fresco. While you don't need much more than a patch of grass and a starry sky above, there are so many easy and effective ways to elevate your patio, yard, garden, and beyond. From simple DIY projects to fabulous gazebos, here's how to set the scene for a summer soirée.

More Ideas for Elevating Your Outdoor Space

• 24 Back Porch Ideas to Inspire Make This Your Favorite Place
  
• 18 DIY Backyard Projects That Will Turn Your Outdoors Into an Oasis
• 25 Creative Container Garden Ideas to Enhance Your Outdoor Space
• 17 Front Porch Ideas That Make the Most of Summer Living
  

Day 5: Picnics and Play

We couldn't have a week dedicated to outdoor entertaining without mentioning one of the best al fresco experiences of all—the picnic. The more casual cousin of a big to-do, a picnic often happens during an excursion—think park, hike, or beach. But even laying out a blanket or two in the backyard and setting up a spread of sandwiches, sides, sweets, and something to sip can turn a basic meal into a wonderfully memorable one. And don't forget the games! Grab your badminton racquets, set up the croquet wickets, and prepare for a day of summer fun.

Day 6: Al Fresco Essentials

We maintain that the most important part of any successful celebration, indoors or out, is the people. A wonderful party can be had with little more than your favorite friends and family gathered around a table. But once you've got the guest list down and the menu planned, it's time to focus on the entertaining essentials—which are the frosting on the cake. From shatterproof drinkware and ambience-enhancing patio lights to a fire pit for after-dinner s'mores, we curated our favorite accessories to make your outdoor fete even more enchanting.

More Curated Shopping Picks

• 10 Indoor/Outdoor Rugs That Are Durable and Beautiful
  
• 10 Outdoor Fire Pits That Will Make Your Backyard More Cozy
  
• The Best Picnic Blankets for All Your Summer Activities
• 19 Shatterproof Dinnerware Sets for Meals Al Fresco
  
• 11 Small Patio Furniture Picks to Maximize Your Backyard Space
  

Day 7: Keeping It Comfortable

On our last day of Al Fresco Week, we turn to comfort—because all of your best-laid plans will be for naught if your guests are made miserable by swarms of mosquitoes. Ahead of your event, be sure to spend some time outside around the same time you plan to have guests and assess the conditions. Is the sun hitting uncomfortably? Is it peak bug hour? Is there cover for a summer shower? Some things will be out of your hands, but it's helpful to know what to expect. See some of our best tips below for keeping your guests comfortable. And happy entertaining al fresco!