What to Buy for an Oktoberfest Party

A good Oktoberfest shopping list covers more than beer and sausages. You also need enough mugs, plates, serving equipment, chilled drinks, seating and waste capacity for the full guest count. Plan roughly two to three beers per person for the first hour, then one per hour after that, while keeping non-alcoholic drinks available throughout. Buy fresh vegetables and other perishables close to the event, and arrange borrowed or rented equipment before the final week.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Beer tablesqty 10
Benchesqty 10
Chairsqty 20
Buffet tablesqty 4
Drink tablesqty 3
Reception desk
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Beer mugsqty 100
Wine glassesqty 40
Soft drink glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Serving plattersqty 12
Serving traysqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum traysqty 20
Food storage containersqty 12

Equipment

Beer coolersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Ice containersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot platesqty 4
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Oktoberfest flagsqty 8
Blue and white streamersqty 12
Table runnersqty 10
Name badgesqty 100
Chalkboardsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 12
Batteriesqty 24

Sports equipment

Beer mug carpet
Ring toss game
Quiz cardsqty 10
Pensqty 30

Cleaning

Trash bag holdersqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom setsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- German pilsner - 120 liter
- Alcohol-free beer - 20 liter
- Radler - 24 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Spa Blauw - 60 bottles
- Spa Rood - 30 bottles
- Coffee - 2 kilos
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Limes - 2 kilos
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Pretzel rolls - 100 pieces
- Mini pretzels - 6 kilos
- German rye bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Emmental - 3 kilos
- Gouda cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Raw ham - 3 kilos
- Salami - 3 kilo
- Liver sausage - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian Sausages - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 100 pieces
- Curry sausages - 80 pieces
- Sauerkraut - 12 kilo
- Potatoes - 18 kilos
- Rösti rounds - 8 kilo
- Red cabbage - 6 kilo
- Green cabbage - 5 kilos
- White cabbage - 5 kilos
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Arugula - 1.5 kilos
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Pickled onions - 4 jars
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 4 liters
- Ketchup - 4 liters
- Curry spice sauce - 4 liter
- Mustard - 3 liters
- Honey mustard - 2 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Remoulade sauce - 2 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Caraway seeds - 100 grams
- Oregano - 100 grams
- Chives - 300 gram
- Parsley - 300 gram
- Flour - 2 kilos
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Whipping cream - 4 liters
- Vanilla custard - 6 liters
- Apple strudel - 10 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate cookies - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Snack mix - 8 bags
- Peanuts - 4 kilos
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 liters
- Dish soap - 3 liters
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 liters
- Toilet cleaner - 2 liters
- Disinfectant spray - 2 liter
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces

Tips

Plan 2–3 beers per guest for the first hour, then 1 beer per guest per additional hour. Add water and soft drinks for the entire event, not just for drivers.
Allow 1 beer mug per guest if you have enough washing capacity; otherwise provide 2 per guest so clean mugs are always available. Count wine, soft-drink and coffee glasses separately.
Buy or reserve at least 1 plate, dessert plate, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus 10–15% extra for breakage, dropped cutlery and unexpected guests.
Keep beer and soft drinks cold in beer coolers or coolers with enough ice for the full service period. Chill the first batch several hours ahead and keep a reserve batch cold.
Do not leave serving equipment until shopping day: plan serving platters, trays, food warmers, tongs, cutting boards, knives, storage containers and aluminum trays before the final guest count.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for an Oktoberfest party?: Plan 2–3 beers per person for the first hour and 1 beer per person for every additional hour. For a four-hour party, that means about 5–6 beers per guest, with extra non-alcoholic drinks available.
How many beer mugs do I need per guest?: Use 1 mug per guest if you can wash and return mugs during the party. Without washing capacity, plan 2 mugs per guest so the serving line does not stop when mugs are empty.
How many plates and cutlery sets should I buy?: Plan 1 dinner plate, dessert plate, knife, fork and spoon per guest, then add 10–15% extra. For 40 guests, that is 44–46 of each frequently used item.
When should I buy food for an Oktoberfest party?: Buy non-perishable groceries and drinks several days ahead. Buy fresh vegetables and other chilled food 1 day before, then chill beer and soft drinks several hours before guests arrive.

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