Alright, let’s get real—bonfire nights are the elite of gatherings. There’s just something about firelight, fresh air, and the smell of toasted marshmallows that makes people instantly relax. Or maybe it’s the fact that you’re basically giving everyone permission to eat dessert for dinner.
I’ve hosted my fair share of these nights—some magical, some… let’s just say “learning experiences”. Over time, I’ve picked up some tricks that take a bonfire party from “fun” to “legendary.”
If you want your guests leaving with smoky hair, full bellies, and endless inside jokes, here are 15 bonfire party ideas that are Pinterest-worthy and totally doable.
1. The Ultimate S’mores Bar
We’re starting with the big one—because, let’s be honest, 60% of your guests are here for this exact reason. A basic s’more? Good. A DIY gourmet s’mores bar? Legendary.
Picture a long rustic table lit with fairy lights, stacked with baskets of different crackers, jars of chocolate, and bowls of unexpected toppings. You’re basically Willy Wonka with a campfire.
Build your s’mores station with:
- Multiple chocolate options: milk, dark, white, caramel-filled, peanut butter cups (these will vanish first)
- Graham crackers, waffle cookies, Oreos, stroopwafels (chewy caramel center = Best thing EVER)
- Fun extras: sliced strawberries, banana chips, toasted coconut, mini pretzels, bacon (trust me—it works)
- Skewers or roasting sticks that are long enough so no one singes their eyebrows
Pro tip: Have a “weird combo challenge” where people have to invent the wildest, tastiest s’more. Just be ready for someone to put pickles in there. It will happen.
2. Glow-in-the-Dark Everything
Sure, the fire throws light, but nothing says party like a little extra sparkle. Adding glow-in-the-dark and LED elements turns your backyard into something magical (and makes it way easier to find your friends when they wander to the snack table).
Imagine fairy lights draped in trees, mason jars glowing softly from within, and guests waving glow sticks like they’re at a campfire rave. Kids will love it. Adults will love it. Your dog might think it’s suspicious, but we can’t please everyone.
Ideas to glow things up:
- Wrap fairy lights around tree trunks or along fences for a soft twinkle
- Hand out glow bracelets, necklaces, or rings as “admission”
- Fill clear balloons with LED lights or glow sticks for instant decor
- Put LED candles in paper bags for safe, flickering “lanterns”
Pro tip: Keep a stash of extra glow sticks. Someone will inevitably break one trying to “make it brighter,” and then you’ll have neon hands wandering around.
3. DIY Hot Chocolate & Cider Bar
There’s something deeply satisfying about wrapping your hands around a warm mug while sitting by the fire. A hot chocolate and cider bar keeps everyone cozy and sugared up—basically the dream combo.
Set up a rustic table with big thermoses or slow cookers to keep drinks hot. Add mugs or disposable cups, and then the fun part—the toppings.
Sweet must-haves:
- Marshmallows (mini, jumbo, and toasted-ready)
- Whipped cream in a can (watch how fast it disappears)
- Caramel drizzle, chocolate sauce, crushed peppermint
- Cinnamon sticks and nutmeg for sprinkling
- Flavored syrups like hazelnut, vanilla, or pumpkin spice
Pro tip: Freeze whipped cream “pucks” on parchment paper. Guests can plop them into hot drinks, and they melt into creamy perfection.
4. Flannel & Beanie Dress Code
You can totally let people wear whatever, but a themed dress code makes your photos look like a lifestyle magazine spread—and it gives shy guests an easy conversation starter.
For a bonfire, cozy themes work best: think lumberjack chic, mountain lodge, or “campfire throwback” (complete with questionable vintage sweaters).
Theme ideas:
- Flannel night: Everyone wears plaid in as many clashing colors as possible
- Cozy chic: Scarves, beanies, boots, oversized cardigans
- Camp nostalgia: Camp T-shirts, bandanas, and those braided friendship bracelets
Pro tip: Give out silly “best dressed” awards. Categories could be “Most Committed to Flannel,” “Beanie Royalty,” or “Looks Like They Chopped Their Own Firewood.” People live for low-stakes competitions.
5. Glow-in-the-Dark Games & Challenges
Once the sun sets and the fire is roaring, it’s prime time to unleash your inner 8-year-old—with a glow-in-the-dark twist. Forget sitting still; this is where the night gets ridiculous in the best way possible.
Here’s the game plan:
- Stock up on glow sticks, LED balloons, and light-up frisbees (yes, they exist and they’re awesome).
- Set up a few simple “arena” spots in the yard: maybe a circle for frisbee, a marked-off space for capture-the-flag, and a little obstacle course for laughs.
- Give everyone a glow necklace or bracelet so you can actually find them in the dark. (Bonus: it looks cool in pictures.)
Ideas to try:
- Glow Stick Ring Toss – Stick dowels in the ground and try to land glowing rings on them. Surprisingly competitive.
- Flashlight Tag – Just like regular tag, but you have to “spot” someone with your flashlight to get them out.
- Glow Capture the Flag – Two teams, two glowing “flags,” and one chaotic backyard.
Pro tip: Choose games that don’t require sprinting through total darkness unless you enjoy mystery injuries and awkward ER visits.
6. Gourmet Campfire Menu
Hot dogs are fine, but you can easily wow people with a few elevated campfire recipes. Think cast-iron skillets and foil packets—simple, rustic, and ridiculously tasty.
Upgrade ideas:
- Skillet nachos: layer tortilla chips, cheese, beans, jalapeños, and salsa, then heat until melty perfection
- Foil packet potatoes: thinly sliced potatoes, herbs, butter, and cheese—throw them in the coals until tender
- Crescent-roll dough twists: wrap around sticks and bake over the fire, then fill with jam or Nutella
- Shrimp skewers: brush with garlic butter and cook quickly over the flames
Pro tip: Pre-prep ingredients so you’re not frantically chopping onions in the dark. Also, bring way more cheese than you think you need. You’ll still run out.
7. Fireside Games
Games keep the energy up, especially during that post-s’mores sugar high. Go for a mix of interactive and laid-back so everyone can join in.
Crowd favorites:
- Charades: Add a “campfire” theme—think camping gear, wildlife, or scary movie characters
- Mafia/Werewolf: The firelight adds perfect suspense for accusing your best friend of betrayal
- Truth or Dare: Yes, it’s chaotic. Yes, someone will dare someone else to jump in the pool.
- Cornhole or ladder toss: If you’ve got the lawn space, these are perfect between roasting sessions
Pro tip: Keep a flashlight handy. Inevitably, someone will fling a beanbag into the dark and need a search party.
8. Campfire Dessert Cook-Off
If you want instant laughter, competition, and the delicious smell of victory (and probably burnt sugar), a campfire dessert cook-off is the move. It’s part culinary challenge, part comedy show.
How it works:
- Announce the challenge at the start of the night so people can start plotting their sweet masterpiece.
- Give everyone access to a shared “pantry” of ingredients: marshmallows, chocolate, peanut butter, fruit, cookies, pretzels, cinnamon sugar, whipped cream, and whatever else you’ve got in your cupboards.
- The only rule: It has to be cooked or assembled over the fire. Bonus points for creativity and presentation.
Expect to see:
- Chocolate-banana foil packets bubbling with gooey perfection
- Skillet brownies that may or may not be raw in the middle (but still amazing)
- Cinnamon sugar “campfire donuts” made with biscuit dough on sticks
- Mystery creations that you’re not sure you should eat… but you will anyway
Pro tip: Have a small panel of “judges” (kids make excellent ones—they’re brutally honest) and give out silly prizes like “Most Likely to Give You a Sugar Rush” or “Looks Questionable, Tastes Amazing.”
9. Blanket & Pillow Paradise
Nobody wants to balance on a cold log for hours. Comfy seating keeps people lingering longer.
Create comfort zones:
- Outdoor cushions, bean bags, or even hay bales with throw blankets
- Low tables for setting down drinks and snacks
- A “blanket bar” where guests can grab extra layers
Mix in fairy lights for ambiance and you’ll have people curling up like they’ve moved in.
10. Storytelling Hour
There’s something primal about telling stories by the fire. Lean into it.
Story themes to try:
- Classic ghost stories: Timeless and spooky
- Embarrassing real-life moments: Usually way funnier than fiction
- Round-robin stories: Each person adds one sentence and the plot spirals into chaos
Pro tip: Have a prize for the “best” story—funniest, scariest, or most outrageous. It makes people commit harder (and funnier).
11. Signature Bonfire Cocktails
Cold Drinks that match the theme = instant upgrade.
Ideas to mix up:
- Toasted Marshmallow Martini: Vanilla, Baileys, cream, marshmallow garnish
- Firelight Fizz: Sparkling cider, cranberry juice, and orange slice for non-drinkers
Pro tip: Batch drinks in big dispensers so you’re not stuck serving all night.
12. Seasonal Extras
Tie your party to the season and suddenly it feels intentional, even if you planned it yesterday.
Seasonal inspiration:
- Fall: Pumpkin-spiced cider, plaid blankets, caramel apples, cinnamon candles
- Winter: Mulled wine, snowflake lights, peppermint bark, warm mittens for guests
- Summer: Tiki torches, tropical fruit skewers, beach chairs, lemonades in mason jars
13. Bonfire Photo Booth
Make your night unforgettable and Instagram-worthy.
Photo booth setup:
- String lights + a rustic backdrop (wood pallets, fabric bunting)
- Props: marshmallow skewers, cowboy hats, camping mugs
- Polaroid camera for instant souvenirs
Pro tip: Create a hashtag for your party so you can see all the pictures later.
14. Late-Night Breakfast Bar
Hit them with breakfast when they least expect it—right after midnight.
Menu ideas:
- Mini pancakes with fruit and syrup
- Breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, and salsa
- Crispy bacon (always the first to go)
- Hash browns straight off the skillet
15. Sparkler Finale
End the night with a little magic.
How to pull it off:
- Hand out sparklers to everyone
- Count down and light them together
- Snap long-exposure shots to capture light trails
It’s the kind of ending that makes people linger, smiling, even after the fire burns down.
Conclusion
The perfect bonfire party isn’t about following every idea—it’s about picking the ones that match your crew. Maybe that’s cocoa and ghost stories, maybe it’s midnight pancakes and neon balloons.
Whatever you choose, make it cozy, make it fun. If you really have a love of toasted marshmallows, go ahead and try these bonfire party ideas.
So… which one are you trying first?
