17 Nostalgic Photos of Summer Cookouts

Written by Alina Wang on May 17, 2025 updated May 19, 2025

A group of people, including children and adults, sit around a picnic table with a red-and-white checkered tablecloth and food, outside a house on a sunny day. Everyone is smiling and appears happy.

Summer cookouts have always held a special kind of magic. From the smell of smoky grills to the sound of roaring laughter, even the simplest moments felt unforgettable. Couple that with some juicy burgers and ice-cold drinks, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a good ol’ time. Whether it was a backyard packed with family or a laid-back feast with friends, these sun-drenched cookouts weren’t just about the food; they were about the feeling. Here are 17 nostalgic images of summer cookouts.

1. We Just Know Those Burgers Were Fire

Altruistic_Ad5472

2. Burgers With a Side of Sports Reppin’

A group of people gather outdoors, some eating food. One person in front wears a bright Mets jacket, while others stand and talk nearby. Smoke and trees are visible in the background, creating a casual, social atmosphere. — Altruistic_Ad5472

3. ‘1959 Summer Backyard Cookout With Neighbors in Bethesda, MD’

A black-and-white photo of a large group of adults and children gathered outdoors on a patio, sitting on lounge chairs around tables with food and drinks, smiling and enjoying a casual gathering. — BellaZoe23

4. Even the Kiddos Seemed Pleased With the Food

Two young children stand on the steps of a worn wooden house, smiling. A woman sits nearby holding a purse. The yard is cluttered with debris, and houses and a red truck are visible in the background. — Altruistic_Ad5472

5. ‘Summer Hot Dog Cookout, Marshall, Texas, 1946’

A black-and-white photo of a large group of children and one adult woman posing on and around outdoor brick steps at night. Some children are standing, others are sitting, and a crate is in the foreground. — AxlCobainVedder

6. ‘Cookout at Ja Jolla Shores in the ’80s. Bring Your Own Trash Boxes, Grills & Short Shorts!’

A group of people relax on a sandy beach near a lifeguard tower, sitting in chairs and on a blanket with coolers and snacks. Palm trees and hills are visible in the background. — lechydda

7. The Gang’s All Here!

A group of smiling children poses outdoors near a chain-link fence and old buildings. Some children stand, some sit on yellow chairs, and everyone appears happy and relaxed under natural light. — Altruistic_Ad5472

8. ‘Family Having Lunch at a Campsite in Bavaria, Germany, 1965’

Five people sit around a table eating a meal at a campsite. Behind them are an open car trunk and a gray camper van. The scene is outdoors, with trees and grass in the background. — atlantic-kid/istockphoto

9. I Was ‘Today Years Old’ When I Learned That Grills Are Called ‘Barbies’ in Australia. Mind Blown.

A vintage photo shows men cooking on a barbecue while others sit at a table in a backyard. Text above lists typical Australian barbecue foods and drinks, mentioning sausages, rissoles, onions, potatoes, bread, and BYO longnecks. — Sweet-Consequence773

10. ‘Eating Together at a Barbecue Dinner Outdoors’

A group of people sit around a table outdoors, smiling and talking, with food and drinks in front of them. Smoke from a barbecue grill in the foreground partially obscures the scene. The photo is in black and white. — DisobeyArt/istockphoto

11. Now That’s a Mighty Fine Carpet for a Roadside Meal

Three older adults sit on a patterned rug, having a picnic on a rocky beach. They wear light-colored clothing and sunglasses, with food and drinks set on small tables. A floral bag and parked cars are visible in the background. — atlantic-kid/istockphoto

12. ‘Backyard Picnic: 1960’

A group of women and children gather around a picnic table outdoors, sharing food and drinks. The table is set with colorful cups and snacks, and the scene has a warm, casual, 1950s summertime feel. — Shorpy.com

13. ‘My Father, After a Day at Work, Relaxes in his Domain in 1962’

A man sits on a wooden deck reading a newspaper while a dog walks nearby. Smoke rises from a charcoal grill next to them. Lush plants and trees surround the fenced deck. — Shorpy.com

14. ‘Family BBQ, Summer of 1958’

A man in a plaid shirt and light pants grills food on a round barbecue next to a white picket fence outside a house. The black-and-white photo is dated September 1958. — Nixx_Mazda

15. Full Bellies, Happy Smiles

A black-and-white photo from September 1958 shows a group of people sitting close together on patio chairs outside, smiling at the camera with houses and a picket fence in the background. — Nixx_Mazda

16. Now Who Had Grandma Clutching Her Purse Like That?

A young woman in shorts and a blue top stands smiling outdoors near a seated older woman in pajamas and others gathered nearby, with greenery and buildings in the background. — Altruistic_Ad5472

17. When the Dress Code for the Cookout Is Business Professional

A group of people in 1950s attire gather in a modern living room with floor-to-ceiling windows; a man grills meat over an indoor fire pit while others sit and chat in the background. — mistermajik2000

Want more summer content?

Don’t miss 20 Vintage Photos of Summer Camping Trips. Plus, you should take a look at 10 Scenes From the Beach That Scream 1980s Summer and 19 Classic Photos That Show the Magic of Drive-In Theaters.