15+ End of Summer Traditions
School may have started for most families by now, but – as my husband keeps reminding me – that doesn’t mean SUMMER is over!
As long as that warm weather stays, we’re counting it summer!
But eventually, in most places, that warm weather will come to an end and summer will truly be over.
I asked on Instagram a few weeks ago about how people celebrated the end of summer and I loved all the fun responses that came in, ranging from simple to elaborate!
If you’re looking for a delightful way to bid farewell to summer, here are some great ideas!
15+ End of Summer Traditions
- Family dinner at a restaurant with a patio. I love this one! There’s nothing better than eating outdoors for adding a little something summery without much extra effort and this is such an easy way to end the summer.
- Final pool party with friends. This was a VERY popular way to end summer – whether you have a pool of your own or community pool access, one last go with the swimsuits and sunscreen feels like a great last hurrah!
- Late night pool swim with pizza. Similarly, this is an extra fun spin on the last pool trip of the year – there’s something so special about a warm summer evening, especially when you know it’s one of the last ones.
- Outdoor movie night. This is a GREAT end of summer activity because you still have the warm weather but it’s not staying light so late, so you can watch a movie before midnight! (You can see our outdoor movie set up here!)
- Have a last day of summer picnic. There’s nothing that scream summer like a picnic and this is a delightful and easy way to celebrate the end of summer! You can go fancy or casual too!
- Beach bonfire. We don’t live near a beach, but if you do, this is such a fun way to bid farewell to summer as a family or with friends.
- Final camping trip before it gets cold. Most of us don’t want to camp when it’s freezing outside, so this is a perfect way to end the summer and say goodbye to the warm weather. One commenter said they do a “Group camping trip – we call ours “Hoopla” There are shirts and everything.” How fun is that? Other families said they do a backyard campout to mark the end of summer.
- Going to the splash pad after dinner one night. Many splash pads turn off in September, so sneaking in one last evening visit is a great way to enjoy the last of summer.
- A week of cramming in anything left on the summer bucket list. I love this idea – if you make a summer bucket list each year at the beginning of summer, finishing off all the undone items is a great way to celebrate the end of summer.
- Visit the water park. One commenter said, “They seem to be slow in our area the week school starts” which makes it the perfect time to have one last visit!
- Host a s’mores night. I love s’mores and there’s nothing that feels more summery than sitting around toasting marshmallows and making up great combinations (raspberry and dark chocolate is a chart topper for me!). Plus, it’s such a fun way to gather friends.
- Visit the state or county fair. I wouldn’t have thought of this but it came up SO many times as as favorite end of summer tradition. Check Google and see if there is one near you in the last days of summer!
- Big water balloon fight with friends. What a fun way to end summer with a splash!
- Slip n slide down a huge hill. My girls would LOVE this end of summer tradition – I might try to make this happen this year!
- Ice cream outing. There’s something so summery about going to get an ice cream cone (my favorite is when we ride our bikes to the ice cream shop!). Someone also mentioned that they bookend summer with a beginning and ending trip to the ice cream shop, which I love.
- Host a read-a-thon. Whether you do it with just your family or with neighbors, you know I’m here for this end of summer tradition! Plus, when you can read outdoors, that’s just the best.
- An end of summer tea party. How delightful is this? I’m totally imagining it outdoors.
- Crying. This would be my husband who LOVES summer and warm weather and barely tolerates the winter.
I’d love to hear how you celebrate the end of summer or any end of the summer traditions you have!
I find it hard to believe that Bart cries at the end of summer. He gets to ski in the winter!
Also, be proud of me. I signed up for a pickleball class. Hopefully I can move up from the rank of “completely incompetent” to “fine.”