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 11, 2024.

Fire up the grill and get ready for some fun!

Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to the summer season, 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.

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

Family-style service and a Memorial Day party are a match made in barbecue heaven!

It’s like having a giant family dinner!

To set your table for a family-style meal, place your serving dishes in the middle of the table.

Then your family and friends can easily grab what they want as each of the dishes are passed around.

A family-style setup is perfect for a laid-back summer BBQ.

The relaxed atmosphere encourages everyone to mingle and grab seconds of their favorites.

And you can decorate your table with extra patriotic touches without things feeling too fancy!

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 summer BBQ, 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.

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.

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.

Feed a Crowd & Keep it Simple: Ideas for a BBQ Party Menu

And now, for the most important part of styling a summer table…the food!

And really, what’s a Memorial Day BBQ party without a table full of 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.

Need more Memorial day grilling ideas?

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!

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

More Patriotic Inspiration from Midwest Life and Style

If you’re looking for some more patriotic inspiration for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July you might also like these posts.

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,