Skip to Content

20 Fall Party Ideas Your Friends Will Love

From apple cider tasting to an authentic Oktoberfest.

Headshot of Taylor AugustinBy Taylor Augustin
teenage girl having food while sitting at dining table during thanksgiving
The Good Brigade//Getty Images

We don't know about you, but fall is by far our favorite season of the year. Why? Because we get to put all our fall party ideas into action. From holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving to celebrations like Oktoberfest and Friendsgiving, there's so much to look forward to every time autumn rolls around. And we can't think of anything better than spending the night with our favorite people. Whether the drinks are flowing or you're getting full on big slices of pumpkin pie, nothing beats hanging out during the fall.

If you want to be the hostess with the mostess this autumn, it's time to start planning the perfect fall party. Whether you want to throw a gathering for your besties, neighbors, a couple of friends, or even family, there's a fall party idea out there that was made for you. You can go the extra route and send a handwritten invite, or keep things simple and find a cute template online. Either way, trust us when we say you will be getting RSVPs left and right! Plus, you don't need to spend loads of money to plan a special event. A lot of these party ideas are potluck style, which is perfect for a casual dinner with friends or family. Some of our favorite fall party themes include a pumpkin carving party, an apple cider bar, and a cider tasting party, but those are just the beginning. Keep scrolling for 20 fall party ideas we think you need to try out this year.

1

Apple Cider Bar

two mugs of mulled wine hot winter drinks
Yulia Naumenko//Getty Images

Apples are fall's favorite produce (next to pumpkins, of course), and we can't think of a better party idea than tan apple cider bar! Put out cute mugs and all of the fixings, like orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise, and you have a party kids will love. Add your spirit of choice, and adults will rave too. Either way, you'll have a highly Instagrammable party.

2

Pumpkin Carving

woman and kids carving pumpkins
Image Source//Getty Images

Pumpkin carving is loads of fun, especially when you get to do it with your favorite people! Have everyone bring their own pumpkins and provide some light bites and refreshments for this easy party. Be sure to take pictures of everyone's pumpkins together on your front porch.

3

BYOA (Bring Your Own Apple)

toffee apples
Joan Ransley//Getty Images

Tell everyone to bring their own apple dish over for dessert and drinks. Whether it's caramel apples, apple pie, or a boozy apple concoction, encourage your guests to have fun and get creative with this one—there are tons of apple recipes to try.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4

Spooky Outdoor Movie Night

friends singing and playing the guitar on the patio of a lake house
Marko Geber//Getty Images

Send out a poll of a few spooky movies, and play the winner on the night of the party. Host it outside on a projector screen and bundle up with lots of pillows and blankets—and don’t forget popcorn!

5

Wine Tasting Party

friends toasting with wine
zoranm//Getty Images

As if you need an excuse to enjoy a glass with your friends, hosting a fall-inspired wine party is an amazing idea. Make sure to stick to bottles with autumnal notes like plum, nutmeg, and cinnamon. A harvest-themed charcuterie board makes the perfect pairing.

6

DIY Wreath Party

senior women crafting
adamkaz//Getty Images

Seasonal wreaths make the best decorations. Host a wreath-making party with all of your close friends and be sure to snap a pic of the end results!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Pumpkin Painting

young girl painting on pumpkin in halloween
ArtMarie//Getty Images

If pumpkin carving seems a bit too messy, paint your pumpkins instead! Get creative (we've got pumpkin decorating inspiration for you) or keep it classically Halloween with spooky skeletons and ghost drawings.

8

Friendsgiving

teenage girl having food while sitting at dining table during thanksgiving
The Good Brigade//Getty Images

In our experience, Friendsgiving can be better than Thanksgiving itself. Schedule it for a week or two before the big holiday, create an online sign-up sheet for your friends to choose a dish, and enjoy a night of food, drinks, and laughs before the holiday rush starts.

9

Candle Making Party

soy wax candles in the making
Hanneke Vollbehr//Getty Images

For an aesthetic party that belongs on a Pinterest board, host a candle-making party! You can get the supplies, like wicks and essential oils, online for super-low prices. And if you want to keep things creative, have everyone bring their own unique jar to pour the wax mixture into.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10

Oktoberfest

beer at beer fest in munich, germany
Nikada//Getty Images

The official Oktoberfest takes place in Munich every fall. If your town doesn't already host a version, why not create your own at home? Tell your guests to bring their favorite beer, and snag a pack of inexpensive steins online for authentic toasting. If you want to go the extra mile, have everyone dress up in dirndls and lederhosen—or at least say cheers in German: Prost!

11

Boozy Apple Party

hot apple cider with cinnamon stick on wooden background, healthy lifestyle
HUIZENG HU//Getty Images

Apples plus alcohol equals a wicked fun time. You can create an assortment of apple-infused alcoholic beverages yourself or have guests bring their own in to-go containers.

12

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

pumpkin spice latte ingredients
RyanJLane//Getty Images

We love the idea of throwing a party dedicated solely to pumpkin spice. Light your favorite pumpkin spice candles and serve pumpkin spice muffins, lattes, and more.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Soup Party

man garnishing squash soup with seeds during dinner party
Luis Alvarez//Getty Images

What is a soup party, you ask? Tell your guests to bring a soup to share, and provide all of the dippables and toppings like bread, crackers, cheese, and garnishes. Bonus points if everyone brings enough to send friends home with leftovers.

14

S'mores Bonfire Party

young multi ethnic friends roasting marshmallows on sticks at the beach
wundervisuals//Getty Images

You’re never too old to enjoy some good old-fashioned s'mores. Invite guests over for a bonfire in your backyard or on the beach (if you live close enough) and provide graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, and skewers.

15

Cider Tasting Party

close up of drink on table,romania
Cosmin Ciobanu / 500px//Getty Images

If you're not a beer drinker, allow us to introduce you to cider—it's easy to drink and tastes divine. Pick up some alcoholic and non-alcoholic options and have yourself a tasting party!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16

Caramel Apple Making Party

candy apples
Jackie Brown//Getty Images

If you have a sweet tooth, you need to throw a caramel apple-making party. Invite your guests over for a delicious night of caramel apple assembling. Set up a bar of yummy fixings like caramel and toffee for dipping and crushed nuts, graham cracker crumbles, candy, melted chocolate and more for rolling and drizzling.

17

Themed Costume Party

adults in fancy dress, playing cards at table, man by window outdoors
Frank Herholdt//Getty Images

Raise your hand if you love an excuse to get dressed up! Since this is your party, you get to pick the theme, be it roaring '20s, ancient Egypt, Harry Potter—you name it. Go all out with themed cocktails and drinks if you wish. At the end of the night, give out a prize to the best-dressed attendee!

18

BYOB (Bring Your Own Board)

friends having dinner with a cheese platter at a lake
Westend61//Getty Images

Charcuterie boards are all the rage, but for this BYOB party, switch things up! Assign your guests different snack boards to make, like cheese, meat, fruit, canapés, fondue, fried foods, dessert, or something else you really want to nosh on. It's your chance to outsource the smorgasbord of your dreams.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

It’s Chilly, Let’s Make Chili

generation z multiracial group of friends cooking and eating chili playing relaxing and communicating in modern home photo series
eyecrave productions//Getty Images

Cold weather calls for delicious homemade chili, and if you have a recipe you've been wanting to share with your close friends, throw a chili party! You could also challenge friends to make their best recipe and see whose is the party favorite. Either way, just be sure to put out all the toppings, like cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, and corn chips.

20

Champagne Tasting Party

cheerful family enjoying drinks at birthday party
Klaus Vedfelt//Getty Images

Listen up, because this idea is just too good not to share. Pick up five (or more) bottles of champagne ranging from cheap to expensive, and see if your guests can guess which one is which. To go with the fancy vibe, serve your finest fruit and cheese board.

Headshot of Taylor Augustin
Taylor Augustin
Contributing Writer

Taylor Augustin is a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer with 6+ years of experience testing and reviewing products. Her work can be found in Teen Vogue, Popsugar, Byrdie, Cosmo, and more. When she’s not typing away, you can find her perusing the aisles at Sephora, going to pilates, and reading the latest psychological thrillers on her Kindle. Connect with Taylor on Instagram.

Watch Next
 
preview for Dream Rentals

Get Your Home Ready For Fall

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
twitter icon
youtube icon
facebook icon
instagram icon
pinterest icon
Hearst Lifestyle and Design Group - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map
Cookies Choices