What to Buy for a Street Party

A street party needs more than food and drinks. You will also need serving equipment, cooling space, seating, weather cover and safe ways to prepare food outdoors. Use your final guest list to calculate quantities, then separate fresh produce from items you can buy earlier. This checklist includes the practical equipment people often forget, such as allergen labels, serving utensils, reusable cups and enough coolers for drinks.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 70
Beer tablesqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 120
Wine glassesqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 40
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pliersqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Aluminum barbecueqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Gas burnersqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphone
Speaker standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
Outdoor lightsqty 6
Cable traysqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Table décorqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 8

Sports equipment

Outdoor gamesqty 8
Skipping ropesqty 6
Soft ballsqty 8
Sidewalk chalkqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- White pistolets - 50 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 30 pieces
- Hamburgers - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 20 pieces
- Cocktail sausages - 40 pieces
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilogram
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cheese slices - 2 kilograms
- Cheddar slices - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn - 12 cans
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Chili powder - 1 jar
- Potato slices - 5 kilograms
- Satay sauce - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Cheese sticks - 5 packs
- Mini cucumbers - 4 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 5 trays
- Muffins - 50 pieces
- Ice pops - 80 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Barbecue charcoal - 6 bags
- Firelighters - 3 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water, especially if guests will be outside in warm weather.
Allow at least one plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus 10–15% extra for replacements. Serving spoons and tongs are separate from each guest’s cutlery.
Buy fresh vegetables and other perishable food no more than one or two days before the party. Keep sauces, salads and prepared food chilled until they are placed on the buffet.
For outdoor cooking, check that you have barbecue tongs, cutting boards, chef’s knives, gas burners and enough gas cylinders before shopping. Do not leave fuel or hot equipment to arrange on the day itself.
Match your furniture to the guest count: provide one seat per person who needs to sit and enough table space for food, drinks and plates. Party tents and tablecloths are easy to overlook, so confirm them when you collect rental items.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a street party?: For a meal-style street party, plan about 400–500 grams of food per adult, including salads, sides and barbecue food. Add 10% extra if guests are likely to arrive hungry or stay for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a street party?: Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for every hour after that. Keep at least one non-alcoholic option and plenty of water available for the full event.
How many plates and cups do I need for a street party?: Buy or bring one plate and one cup per guest, plus 10–15% spare. For 40 guests, that means at least 44–46 plates and cups, with extra bowls and cutlery if you are serving desserts or multiple courses.
When should I buy the food for a street party?: Buy shelf-stable items, drinks and disposable or reusable serving supplies several days ahead. Collect fresh produce one or two days before the party, then chill drinks and prepare perishable food on the day.

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