What to buy for a St. Patrick's Festival

A St. Patrick's Festival needs more than green decorations and drinks. Plan supplies around the number of guests, the serving method and the venue layout, then separate shelf-stable shopping from fresh food pickup. This list covers tableware, buffet equipment, seating, decorations, lighting and sound gear, including the small items that are often left until setup day. Allow extra time for dietary labels, cooling drinks and testing the microphones before guests arrive.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Beer tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 100
Buffet tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 120
Bowlsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 120
Drinking glassesqty 150
Wine glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 80

Decorations

Green balloonsqty 100
White balloonsqty 50
Orange balloonsqty 50
Irish flagsqty 12
Green garlandsqty 8
Shamrock decorationqty 30
Tableclothsqty 12
Napkin holdersqty 12
Buffet platesqty 20
Name badgesqty 120

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 10

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef and serving knivesqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Storage binsqty 12
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Toilet brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Potatoes - 12 kg
- Beef stew meat - 8 kg
- Carrots - 5 kg
- Onions - 4 kg
- Leeks - 3 kg
- Celery - 2 kg
- Mushrooms - 3 kg
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Beef broth - 8 liters
- Vegetable stock - 5 liters
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Canned peeled tomatoes - 12 cans
- Dark beer - 12 liters
- Flour - 2 kg
- Butter - 2 kg
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kg
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Thyme - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 2 bags
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cheddar - 3 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Cream cheese - 2 kg
- Unsalted butter - 2 kg
- Mixed lettuce - 5 kg
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kg
- Red peppers - 3 kg
- Apples - 8 kg
- Grapes - 5 kg
- Lemons - 3 kg
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Snack mix - 6 kg
- Popcorn - 4 kg
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Chili sauce - 1 liter
- Coffee - 3 kg
- Black tea - 200 bags
- Herbal tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 3 kg
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Irish beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Cider - 4 cases
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Tea filters - 2 boxes
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles

Tips

Buy or count tableware for every expected guest, then add 10% extra: for 100 guests, that means 110 plates, bowls, cutlery sets and drinking glasses. Keep separate coffee cups and wine glasses if both will be served.
Plan drinks by service period rather than buying one large mixed order. For the first hour, allow roughly two to three drinks per person, and have coolers ready before fresh groceries and drinks arrive.
Order the full decoration set at least 7 days ahead: green, white and orange balloons, Irish flags, green garlands and shamrock decorations are easy to overlook when bought separately. Count tablecloths and buffet plates by table, not just by guest.
Match sound and power supplies to the room before shopping. Put the active speakers, mixer and wireless microphones on the same equipment check, and bring extension cords and power strips long enough to reach every setup area.
Buy name badges, napkin holders and separate labels for dietary meals before the final grocery trip. Label special meals as soon as they are prepared, rather than trying to identify them during buffet service.

Frequently asked questions

What tableware do I need for a St. Patrick's Festival?: For 100 guests, start with 110 plates, bowls and cutlery sets to cover breakage and second servings. Add at least 110 drinking glasses, plus separate wine glasses and coffee cups if those drinks are on the menu.
How many decorations should I buy for a St. Patrick's Festival?: Plan decorations by room and table count rather than guest count. For a 10-table setup, buy 10 tablecloths and 10 buffet or table decoration points, then add balloon clusters, flags and garlands for the entrance and main gathering area.
When should I buy food and drinks for the festival?: Collect shelf-stable groceries 3 to 7 days before the event and pick up fresh groceries within 24 hours of serving. Chill drinks in coolers several hours before guests arrive, and keep dietary meals labelled separately.
What equipment is needed for music and announcements?: A basic setup includes active speakers, a mixer, wireless microphones, extension cords and power strips. Test every item at the venue at least 2 hours before opening, and keep spare cable length available for the actual room layout.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.