What to buy for a Midsummer celebration

A Midsummer celebration needs more than food and drinks. Plan for outdoor serving, chilled beverages, buffet service, seating, lighting and weather cover before you shop. This checklist includes the practical items people often remember too late, from enough glasses and serving utensils to coolers, extension cords and tablecloths. Use your final guest list to adjust quantities, then buy or reserve equipment early if the celebration is outdoors.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Beer tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Drink tablesqty 2
Stoolsqty 8

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Midsummer flagsqty 3
Flower garlandsqty 6
Artificial flowersqty 40
Tableclothsqty 9
Napkin holdersqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 10
Spare batteriesqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Dish cratesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Beef burgers - 45 pieces
- Smoked sausage - 4 pieces
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 25 pieces
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cheddar slices - 60 pieces
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 1 liter
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Balsamic vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Lemon tart - 4 pieces
- Cinnamon rolls - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 kilograms
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Garbage bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep extra drinking water available in jugs, not only in bottles or cans.
For tableware, count one dinner plate, dessert plate, fork, knife and spoon per guest, then add 10% spare pieces. Plan separate drinking glasses, wine glasses and coffee cups if all of these will be served.
Set up at least two cooling points: one for drinks guests are using and one reserve cooler for unopened supplies. Chill drinks several hours before guests arrive, because a full cooler takes longer to cool than a few bottles.
Do not leave lighting and music equipment until the event day. Check the length of every extension cord, bring power strips, and test the Bluetooth speakers at the venue at least one day beforehand.
Buy or reserve outdoor furniture and weather cover before sending the final guest numbers. Allow a clear buffet area, enough chairs for guests who need to sit, and tablecloths or napkin holders to keep the serving tables usable in the wind.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and glasses do I need for a Midsummer celebration?: Start with one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one drinking glass per guest, plus 10% spare. Add wine glasses and coffee cups for every guest if both are part of the plan, so 50 guests means 55 of each required item.
How many drinks should I buy for a Midsummer celebration?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for every hour after that. For a four-hour event with 20 guests, that is roughly 100 to 120 drinks, including non-alcoholic options and water.
When should I chill drinks for an outdoor Midsummer party?: Put drinks in refrigerators or coolers at least 4 hours before guests arrive. Add ice shortly before serving, and keep a separate cooler for unopened drinks so the serving cooler is not opened constantly.
What outdoor equipment do I need for a Midsummer celebration?: Plan party tents, tables, chairs or stools, coolers, lighting connections and Bluetooth speakers. Check the venue and weather forecast 24 hours beforehand, and test extension cords and power strips at least one day before the celebration.

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