Forget the blanket, the plastic cups, and the standard sandwiches. Today's picnic is all about experience, style, and enjoying together. From themed picnics to extensive cocktail picnics: these are the picnic trends of the moment.
1. Picnic styling, indeed! Linen over paper
Simple, but with immediate effect. Choose a nice cloth with a linen look and replace paper napkins with linen ones. Do the colors also match? Then you're completely on trend. Picnic styling is hotter than ever!
2. Real glasses make the difference
Plastic cups are practical, but do little for the experience. Go chic, just do it. 😉 Bring wine glasses, water glasses, or cocktail glasses and the atmosphere is immediately set. It's those small details that turn an ordinary picnic into a stylish summer gathering.
3. The signature cocktail or mocktail
Just like a wedding or event increasingly has a signature drink, we see this also at picnics. Currently popular:
• Limoncello Spritz
• Hugo Spritz
• Elderflower Mocktail
• Citrus & Rosemary Cooler
• Non-alcoholic Sangria
One drink that perfectly fits your theme immediately provides an extra experience.
4. Share it!
Shared dining has been popular in restaurants or at home dinners for years, so of course also on the picnic blanket. Want to take it a step further? Make it shared finger food. Practical, cozy, and it looks fantastic.
Think of platters with:
• antipasti
• cheeses
• focaccia
• charcuterie
• grilled vegetables
Sharing together might just be the most fun ingredient of any picnic.
5. Grab a bite
Make these at home or get them from your favorite caterer. The trend is towards refined snacks that are easy to take along and look good.
Think of:
• mini quiches
• luxury sandwiches
• wraps
• bruschettas
• savory muffins
Practical and stylish.
6. Fruit as an eyecatcher
Fresh fruit remains a picnic classic, but nowadays it can also be seen. Watermelon slices, strawberries, grapes, and colorful fruit skewers not only provide refreshment but also a summery look.
7. In a Jar
From salads to desserts: everything can now be in a jar. Especially the beautiful layers are popular. So stack those ingredients. Not only because it looks fantastic, but also because it's practical to take along. Think of colorful salads, yogurt with granola, overnight oats, or a dessert in a jar. The more layers, the more fun!
8. Comfort with style
Picnicking uncomfortable? Forget it. Cushions, throws, low tables, mood lighting, and beautiful accessories turn a simple picnic into a true outdoor lounge experience. All day long. And if it were up to us: all night long.
9. A theme? Bring it on!
One of the most fun picnic trends of the moment? A theme! Not only fun for the styling but also for the snacks, drinks, and joint preparation. The fun of a themed picnic is that everyone can give their own culinary twist to the chosen theme.
Think for example of:
La Dolce Vita – Italian snacks, lemons on the table, and of course an ice-cold Limoncello Spritz.
Bohemian Chic – Ibiza vibes with natural materials, colorful cushions, shared dining, and summery cocktails.
Summer Garden Party – Flowers, pastel colors, rosé, refined bites.
Around the World – Everyone brings a dish from a different country. From Spanish tortilla to Japanese onigiri and from French quiche to Moroccan msemen.
How fun is it to discover what everyone has brought! Oh, and a dress code is allowed too!
10. From picnic to summer gathering
Perhaps the biggest trend of all: the picnic is growing into a complete summer gathering. Not just eating outside, but a carefully composed experience where food, drink, atmosphere, and togetherness are central.
Finally
A successful picnic is not about big budgets, but about attention to detail. Beautiful presentation, good food, nice drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere make the difference. So feel free to leave those plastic cups at home and give your picnic a stylish upgrade this summer. Because you can effortlessly turn a simple picnic into a summer gathering to never forget.
