So you want to hold a festival at home? The warm weather and light nights are a perfect excuse to turn any back garden into a DIY festival ground! From recipe inspiration, to great drinks deals, to decorations needed to take your garden party to the next level, our guide has it all.

The drinks

Get the drinks flowing to kick off the fun! From cocktails, to beer, to non-alcoholic options, there’s something for every festival-goer.

Rosé mimosa

This floral, bubbly cocktail is perfect for your guests to sup on. Plus, with Co-op Irresistible Prosecco and Co-op Spanish Rosé at Nisa, it’s never been easier to indulge in this refreshing summer drink.

Three cheers for beers

Beers and festivals go hand in hand, which is why you won’t go amiss if you stock up on some favourites on offer at Nisa like Cruzcampo, Birra Moretti, and Budweiser.

Summer cocktails

With a range of cocktail recipes to choose from on our website, your guests will be spoiled for choice. Opt for quick and easy drinks that bring the taste of summer with tropical Mai Tais or refreshing Long Island Iced Teas.

Zero alcohol alternatives

To make your festival extra friendly, don’t forget to keep the non-alcoholic drinks flowing so guests of all ages can enjoy. Take a classic cocktail like a mojito and remove the rum for a zesty and refreshing zero alcohol tipple.

The menu

Fire up the BBQ because it’s all hands on deck to craft the perfect menu for your festival garden party. These dishes are quick, simple, and delicious!

Halloumi kebabs

Start the spread off right with these flavoursome kebabs, which are ideal if you’re hosting veggies too.

Crispy sweet potato fries

Depending on the number of guests, you might want to batch cook these crispy sweet potato fries as they will go down a treat as a tasty snack. Pair with homemade BBQ sauce for a tangy finish.

Nachos

Nachos are a firm favourite and will keep your guests entertained throughout the night. They can be made without taking up space on the grill thanks to our airfryer nachos recipe, which can be whipped up in just 15 minutes!

Don't forget the cheese sauce, salsa, and guacamole.

Classic chicken salad

A sunny garden party calls for a lightweight chicken salad, whipped up in a flash. This recipe is easy to scale up, so all your guests can top up their plates with fresh salad.

Vegan pasta salad

Got plant-based festival guests? This easy yet tasty pasta salad will whet their appetite. Plus, find more great vegan recipes here.

The décor

Finally, create the perfect setting for your back garden festival with these inspirational décor ideas.

Pitch a tent

No festival is complete without a perfectly pitched tent, and it's easy to D.I.Y one with a large bed sheet. Find a spot in the corner of your garden against a fence or some trees that you can hang the sheet off, then place some throws and cushions on the floor to pin the sheet down & create a cosy area for people to sit. This will act as a chill out area for your guests and help bring that festival feeling to your garden party.

String up some lights

Setting the scene with some ambience always adds a touch of magic to any party. Spruce up your trees and fences with layered fairy lights, or opt for lanterns that your guests can carry into the night.

Hang the bunting

There’s nothing quite like some colourful bunting to bring a garden party to life and evoke that summery, festival feeling. This is another great D.I.Y project as well since you can make your own from house hold objects such as string, scrap paper & cardboard (newspapers, old boxes, etc), and paint. You can even include other things like flowers and balloons in your festival garland to really make it stand out. 

This décor will make for a great backdrop for all the photos your guests will be snapping!

Get personal with place cards

You’re already serving up a delicious feast, so why not go a step further and impress your guests with personalised place cards? They will appreciate this little touch and it will add a real ‘wow’ factor to your festival. You could even get creative with it and include party favours like mini plants.

Cue the music

Music is the hub of any festival. So to really set the atmosphere, look up the headline acts for your dream summer-time festival, and create a custom playlist with all their top hits that all your guests will want to sing along to all night long.

We’d love to see your back garden festival set ups, so make sure to tag us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Always drink responsibly. To find out more, visit Drinkaware.