How to Host a Red, White & Blue BBQ Party This Memorial Day

Kick off the start of summer and grilling season with a patriotic BBQ party for Memorial Day! Get inspiration for festive red, white, and blue decorations, delicious BBQ recipes, and table styling tips.

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This post was originally published on July 2, 2020. Last updated on May 19, 2025.

Fire up the grill and get ready for some fun!

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kickoff to summertime, so I’m sharing all my tips for hosting a festive red, white, and blue BBQ party.

From super simple patriotic decor inspiration to delicious BBQ party food ideas.

I’m even throwing in a festive and FREE Memorial Day invitation printable.

This printable BBQ party invitation is free for MWLS subscribers and can be accessed by visiting my printables library. (The password to access the printables library can be found at the bottom of each e-newsletter.)

Not a member of the MWLS community?

You can join now and download your FREE BBQ invitation printable HERE.

So save this post, grab your grilling gear, and get ready to throw a fun backyard BBQ party for Memorial Day.

Table of Contents

• Get the Party Started with Memorial Day BBQ Invitations
• Setting the Perfect Family-Style Table for Your BBQ Party
• How to Style Easy Place Settings for a Summer Tablescape
• Create A DIY Patriotic Centerpiece in Under 5 Minutes
• BBQ Party Menu Ideas for a Crowd
• Backyard Fun: Easy BBQ Party Games for All Ages
• Shop The Post
• More Patriotic Inspiration You’ll Love
• Celebrate Summer with These Simple Backyard BBQ Party Ideas
• Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!

Get the Party Started with Memorial Day BBQ Invitations

Want to set the festive mood right from the start?

I created a festive Memorial Day BBQ party invitation you can download and edit for your own backyard cookout.

Just edit the template, print them out, and drop them in the mail—or attach them to an email and send your invites electronically!

MWLS subscribers can access the invitations for free in my printables library (just enter the password when prompted).

Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here to gain access to these invites to get this backyard BBQ party invite and my entire collection of free party printables!

Setting the Perfect Family-Style Table for Your BBQ Party

A family-style setup makes any backyard BBQ party feel warm and welcoming

It’s like having a giant family dinner!

Remember, the food is the real star of the show, so place your serving bowls and platters in the center of the table so everyone can help themselves.

This way, you’ve got space to serve everyone easily, and the relaxed atmosphere also encourages everyone to mingle and grab seconds of their favorites.

And, as a bonus, a family-style meal means there’s plenty of space to style your table with extra patriotic touches and festive BBQ party decorations.

How to Style Easy Place Settings for a Summer Tablescape

When it comes to setting a table, I love building layers to create a complete look.

For this patriotic picnic look I used a mix of red, white, and blue decor with cintage finds.

Simple BBQ party ideas like layering linens and using neutral basics help you create a versatile look that works for every season, just swap out a few colors or patterns!

I started with a basic white tablecloth as my foundation.

Then, I built on that by layering in texture with my favorite round woven rattan chargers from Antique Farmhouse.

Even though they are a bit of an investment, I use them all the time, and to me, they are worth every penny.

Next, I brought in some patterns and patriotic red and blue colors with the addition of chambray napkins and red and white French stripe linen napkins.

To complete each summer place setting, I added simple white dishes with beaded rims, vintage-looking drinking glasses, and beautiful gold flatware.

Party Planning Pro Tip: My top tip for setting a festive and affordable table for any party—invest in neutral tablescape essentials! White plates, classic napkins in a neutral hue, and gold silverware are all versatile pieces that can be used time and time again.

Then, just add a few pops of color and some seasonal accents to create a stunning table for any occasion without breaking the bank or spending hours shopping!

Create A DIY Patriotic Centerpiece in Under 5 Minutes

Do you love a simple centerpiece that makes a statement?

Oh good, me too!

And it doesn’t get much simpler than this centerpiece with patriotic touches.

If you’re short on time, this easy DIY centerpiece is one of my favorite BBQ party ideas.

All you need is a vase, some flowers, and a few American flag picks to create a red, white, and blue floral arrangement for your Memorial Day BBQ party.

For this centerpiece, I used things I already had on hand, starting with a vintage breadboard to create an anchor for the arrangement.

Then, I snipped some fresh white hydrangeas from my garden and popped them in a big glass jar.

To finish the festive look, I stuck in a couple of American flag picks – and that was it!

In just 5 minutes, I had a simple and beautiful centerpiece that cost nothing at all.

Since I set the table for a family-style meal, most of the food also doubles as decor!

Cake plates and vintage berry baskets are the perfect way to display seasonal summer fruit like watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.

Party Planning Pro Tip: Score festive finds after the holidays! Thrift stores, garage sales, and even your local Facebook Marketplace are all great places to find cheap red, white, and blue decor for your Memorial Day BBQ.

If you don’t already have decorations for your BBQ party, keep an eye out during early spring and late summer – you might find amazing deals on patriotic plates, tablecloths, banners, and more.

Plus, you’re giving pre-loved items a new life.

It’s a win-win!

BBQ Party Menu Ideas for a Crowd

Now for the best part—the food!

And really, what’s a Memorial Day BBQ party menu all the classic cookout favorites?

Some of my go-to BBQ menu ideas for a party include mouthwatering dishes like smoked pork ribs, and summer salads.

If you’re looking for some easy party food for your BBQ you can never go wrong with classic hamburgers.

Looking for even more ideas for BBQ party food?

Steak and vegetable kabobs are always a hit, or you can try one of my favorite grilling recipes.

Pair your barbecue with side dishes like creamy broccoli salad, or classic fruit salad with a sweet vanilla dressing.

And no Memorial Day barbecue is complete without a few pasta salads on the menu.

Cucumber penne pasta salad is a favorite in our family.

Or whip up a bowl of bacon ranch pasta salad – perfect for a crowd-pleasing side dish!

Of course, you can’t forget about dessert, and nothing says summer like s’mores!

These s’mores cookie bars are a quick (and tasty!) addition to any BBQ party menu.

You can also serve patriotic mini brown bites or a summer berry trifle for a sweet finish to your meal.

Party Planning Pro Tip: Sharing makes it easy. Planning a BBQ bash and preparing all the food can get a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be!

Don’t hesitate to ask your guests to bring a side dish to share. Throwing a potluck-style party helps lighten the load.

Remember, a backyard BBQ is all about celebrating together, and a potluck makes the party a relaxed gathering for everyone—including you!

Backyard Fun: Easy BBQ Party Games for All Ages

If you want to take your celebration to the next level, add in a few BBQ party games to entertain your guests. Here are a few easy, crowd-pleasing options:

• Cornhole or bean bag toss
• Horseshoes or ring toss
• Water balloon relay races (perfect for kids)
• Trivia or patriotic bingo for the adults

Summer yard games like these are great for keeping the party lively and add a playful element to your backyard BBQ party for adults and families alike.

Shop The Post

Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please note, that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!

Cake Plates⎟Berry Baskets⎟Glass Vase⎟White Hydrangeas⎟American Flags on Sticks ⎟ White Tablecloth ⎟Woven Rattan Charger Plate ⎟White Beaded Plates ⎟Gold Silverware ⎟Red and White French Stripe Napkin ⎟Chambray Napkin ⎟Vintage Drinking Glasses

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope this helps to inspire you to host your own festive red, white, and blue backyard BBQ party this Memorial Day.

Feel free to leave any questions or comments below, and don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later.

Xo,

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