The New Theatre of Alfresco Entertaining

Increasingly, event designers and their client hosts are embracing gardens that feel childlike, immersive and delightfully whimsical. Think Alice in Wonderland, but sophisticated. “We’ve had so many fun requests,” says Eva Trevisan, founder of Design Anarchy Studio. “We once adorned a vintage vehicle with (mostly) edible props and guests could gather their own fruits, vegetables, pasta and other personalized gifts in a colorful cotton-net bag.”

From vintage cars to vintage furniture, there are now lots of high-aesthetic hire companies – such as Something Vintage – which will temporarily deck out your outdoor space in gorgeous, reclaimed pieces too. This luxurious return to play also lends itself excellently to loading up the table with colorful miscellaneous details. For example: bright Ginori 1735 porcelain, Cabana painted glass or Reflections Copenhagen’s crystal bonbonnieres.

Tactility and material finishings are of utmost importance. “Hosts want guests to notice the hand-finished edge of a linen napkin, the weight of a beautifully made glass or the subtle irregularity of a hand-thrown ceramic plate,” says Dowling. For unusual textile details, engage companies like Said Studio to create bespoke silk drapery across your grazing tables, trees or bar.

Golden hour stretching languidly across an outdoor tablescape is salve for the eyes, but you can’t rely on just the sun alone for atmosphere. “Tiny shaded lamps, low candlelight, concealed uplighting in trees and suspended lanterns,” are frequent requests in 2026, says Dowling. As well as objects that reflect all these carefully appointed light sources: “Our silver-plated serving trays and fruit bowls react to sun and candlelight. Our sphere glasses are also especially strong in this context, as they feel playful yet refined,” says Milan-based designer Natalia Criado, whose sculptural objects and tableware blur the line between art and function.

Few places understand the art of outdoor entertaining better than Le Sirenuse. The legendary Positano hotel has spent 75 years perfecting a distinctly Italian form of hospitality. Recently, it marked its milestone anniversary with The Odyssey: Le Sirenuse, a three-day celebration spanning Positano and nearby Nerano. Guests arrived by boat at the newly opened Le Sirenuse Mare beach club for sunset cocktails overlooking Marina del Cantone before gathering for a seaside dinner on the water’s edge. The following evening, a black-tie celebration unfolded on the terraces of Le Sirenuse itself, with cocktails, dinner and dancing inspired by Homer’s Odyssey against one of the most spectacular backdrops on the Amalfi Coast.

Carla Sersale, co-owner of Le Sirenuse and founder of lifestyle and resortwear line Emporio Sirenuse, believes the secret to a memorable atmosphere is actually quite simple. “Keep it as relaxed and informal as possible — even if you’re throwing a black-tie party,” she says. “Make it easygoing and welcoming and give people the freedom to mingle and move around at their own pace.” Rather than rigid seating plans, Sersale favors thoughtfully positioned food stations that encourage mingling, shared experiences and conversation. “Choose a fun theme that helps break the ice,” she advises, while ensuring drinks are always within easy reach. “The DJ is arguably the most important ingredient of a great party.” Above all, however, her philosophy echoes the broader shift happening across modern entertaining: atmosphere matters more than any rigid tenets of perfection, even if you’re an almost century-old institution. Or as Sersale puts it, “Most importantly, invite great friends.”

“Guests now expect the same level of refinement outdoors that they would experience inside a beautifully designed home or private members’ club,” says Dowling. If your house is decked out with Brunello Cucinelli throws, Smythson stationary, Trudon candles, Christofle serving sets and inherited family pieces, it’s time to recreate the same moment outside. “Outdoor dining is about harmony in the details,” says the team at Christofle. “Our ‘Malmaison Riviera’ sterling silver flatware brings timeless elegance to any alfresco table and the ‘Malmaison’ silver-plated ice bucket combines practicality with sophistication, elevating the table’s presence.”

“The table is becoming an extension of personal taste and lifestyle in the same way fashion, interiors and art collections are,” says Dowling. Taste, travel and memory now sit side by side at the same event. Criado builds on this, suggesting that lingering around outside is actually part of a desire to emulate the whole Mediterranean way of life: “There’s a yearning for something grounded and soulful, which is the very essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.” Which is probably why Med-themes like olives and lemons and tasseled parasols suit outdoor summer gatherings so well. “Through ‘Malmaison Riviera’, the lemon becomes a central element,” says the Christofle team. “Our cake stand reflects a summer sharing spirit.” Beyond citrus fruits, there are countless ways to transport guests to the places of your travels, whether its postcards as place cards, a suspension of Mexican Dahlias, striped Provençal linens or Gohar World shell-inspired objets d’art bringing the beach to your backdoor.

The allure of alfresco endures: we all love eating and drinking outside. So much so, that in 2026, we’ve turned the art of garden-hosting into a world-building, escapist spectacle.