What you need for a street party

A street party needs more than food and drinks. Plan for serving, cooling, cooking, seating and power before you start shopping. As a working guide, allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one per hour after that. Reusable plates, bowls and cups reduce waste, while coolers and ice packs keep drinks cold when the fridge is full. Check your final guest count and dietary requirements before buying.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Folding tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 14
Bar matsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable bowlsqty 100
Reusable cupsqty 180
Wine glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 120
Knivesqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Carafesqty 12

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Microphonesqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum grill traysqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4
Kitchen towelsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice tongsqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpsqty 4
Table décorqty 14
Welcome sign
Name stickersqty 120

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 24

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Korfbalt basket
Jump ropeqty 4
Sidewalk chalkqty 12
Ring toss setsqty 2
Bubble solutionqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Hand broomsqty 3
Tin bucketsqty 4
Mop setsqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 4

Safety

Crowd control barriersqty 8
Traffic conesqty 12
Safety vestsqty 8
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4

Organization

Clipboardsqty 4
Pensqty 20
Markersqty 12
Tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 100
Rope rollsqty 4
Program boardsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Veggie burger buns - 30 pieces
- Beef burgers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 25 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 100 pieces
- Vegetable skewers - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 60 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 8 heads
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 4 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Eggplants - 2 kilograms
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 6 kilograms
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Hamburger sauce - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 5 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 5 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Black pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 2 jars
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Barbecue seasoning - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- 7 Up - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Limes - 2 kilograms
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Pedal bin liners - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning gloves - 6 pairs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Kitchen Lighters - 4 pieces
- Matches - 4 boxes

Tips

Allow at least one reusable plate, bowl, cup, fork and knife per guest, plus 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Add serving platters and serving spoons so guests do not use their own cutlery.
For a barbecue, plan roughly 250–300 g of main food per adult, with extra vegetables and suitable alternatives for dietary requirements. Buy gas cylinders early and check that the barbecue works before the event day.
Use enough cooler space for the full drinks supply and chill drinks in advance. Keep separate ice packs available for food, because drinks and food should not share melted ice.
Plan seating from the guest list: one chair per seated guest, with folding tables or beer tables for food and drinks. Party tents and tablecloths are easy to forget when the forecast changes.
Test Bluetooth speakers, microphones, extension cords and power strips before setup. Keep cables away from walkways and confirm that the available power supply can handle the coffee machines, kettles and sound equipment together.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a street party?: For a barbecue-style street party, allow about 250–300 g of main food per adult, plus side dishes and snacks. Add 10% extra if guests are likely to arrive at different times or stay for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a street party?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the first batch before guests arrive.
How many disposable or reusable plates and cups do I need?: Provide one plate, bowl and cup per guest, then add around 10% extra. For a group of 50, that means at least 55 of each item, plus enough forks, knives and spoons.
When should I buy street party supplies?: Buy non-food supplies, gas cylinders and serving equipment at least one week ahead. Shop for fresh food one or two days before the party, and prepare or chill items on the day itself.

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