How to Host a Progressive Dinner Party: Your Complete Guide
Looking for a fresh way to entertain? A progressive dinner party might be exactly what you need to create an unforgettable evening with friends and neighbors.
What is a Progressive Dinner?
A progressive dinner (also called a safari supper or moveable feast) is a dinner party where each course is served at a different host's home. Guests travel together from house to house throughout the evening, enjoying appetizers at one location, soup or salad at the next, the main course at another, and finally dessert at the last stop.
This unique dining experience combines the intimacy of a dinner party with the excitement of visiting multiple homes, allowing each host to showcase their space and specialty while sharing the workload of entertaining.
Why Host a Progressive Dinner?
Progressive dinners offer several advantages over traditional dinner parties. The responsibility is shared among multiple hosts, making it less overwhelming than preparing an entire meal yourself. Guests get to see different homes and decorating styles, adding variety to the evening. The movement between locations keeps energy high and conversation flowing, and it's a wonderful way to strengthen community bonds with neighbors or friends.
Planning Your Progressive Dinner
Start by coordinating with 3-4 other households who live relatively close together. Assign each home a course—appetizers, soup or salad, main course, and dessert work well. Set a realistic timeline, allowing 45-60 minutes per stop. Choose a theme if desired, whether it's Italian cuisine, comfort food, or seasonal specialties.
Hosting Tips: When You're Not the Last Stop
If you're hosting an early or middle course, timing is everything. Here are essential tips to keep the evening flowing smoothly:
The Quick Cleanup Strategy: As guests finish your course and prepare to move on, resist the urge to do a complete cleanup. Instead, focus on these key tasks:
- Get dishes soaking immediately in hot soapy water—this prevents food from hardening and makes cleanup easier when you return
- Blow out all candles before leaving your home (this is crucial for safety!)
- Do a quick sweep for wine glasses and move them to the kitchen
- Turn off the oven and stove
- Lock up and join your guests at the next location
Remember, you'll return home later in the evening, and those soaking dishes will be much easier to wash than dried-on food. Your fellow progressive dinner guests understand that cleanup happens after the party—the goal is to keep moving and enjoy the experience together.
Setting the Scene
Even though you're only hosting one course, make your space special. Set a beautiful table with quality linens, dinnerware, and fresh flowers. Create ambiance with candles and soft lighting. Prepare your course ahead of time so you can enjoy your guests rather than being stuck in the kitchen. It's ok to use disposable plastic dishes! The nature of this dinner where you leave and come back after the other rounds are done might make you want to. Shop our complete collection here>
The Perfect Progressive Dinner Timeline
Here's a sample schedule for a 6:00 PM start:
- 6:00-7:00 PM: Appetizers and cocktails at House #1
- 7:15-8:00 PM: Soup or salad at House #2
- 8:15-9:15 PM: Main course at House #3
- 9:30-10:30 PM: Dessert and coffee at House #4
Build in 15-minute travel and transition time between stops to keep the evening on track.
Make It Memorable
A progressive dinner is more than just a meal—it's an experience that brings people together in a unique way. The shared adventure of moving from home to home, the variety of settings and flavors, and the collaborative spirit make it a celebration your guests will remember long after the last dessert plate is cleared.