Street party shopping list: what to buy and bring

A street party needs more than food and drinks. You will also need serving ware, coolers, cooking equipment, tables, seating and a practical way to keep everything covered and powered. Use this list alongside your guest count, menu and programme. Buy or reserve items early, especially party tents, reusable tableware, barbecues and coffee equipment, because these are often forgotten until setup day.

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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 100
Beer tablesqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 6
High tablesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 180
Wine glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 80
Knivesqty 120
Forksqty 120
Spoonsqty 120
Teaspoonsqty 80
Serving utensilsqty 12
Pouring bottlesqty 8

Kitchen

Barbecueqty 2
Grill racksqty 4
Roasting pansqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 6
Paring knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Food thermometersqty 2
Aluminum grill traysqty 20

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Cable traysqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 10
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tableclothsqty 14
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 120
Menusqty 12

Sports equipment

Pétanque setsqty 3
Bingo cardsqty 120
Bingo cage
Bingo cardsqty 500
Ring toss setsqty 2
Tug of war rope
Conesqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Litter pickersqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Cansqty 2
Trash binsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Washing-up bowlsqty 4
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 20
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Work glovesqty 8
Non-slip matsqty 8
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Traffic signsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4

Other

Folding cratesqty 12
Transport vehiclesqty 2
Clipboardsqty 4
Pensqty 20
Power banksqty 4
Cash box
Card machine

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburger buns - 120 pieces
- Beef burgers - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 100 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 30 pieces
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Mixed green salad - 6 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Corn - 12 cans
- Canned kidney beans - 8 cans
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Fried onions - 4 bags
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut sauce - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Garlic powder - 150 gram
- Italian herbs - 150 grams
- Satay spices - 150 grams
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Apple pies - 6 pieces
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sprite - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Spa Rood - 4 crates
- Fruit juice - 12 liter
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Pilsener - 12 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 kilograms
- Charcoal - 6 bags
- Firelighters - 4 boxes
- Gas cylinders - 2 pieces
- Barbecue skewers - 150 pieces
- Bamboo bowls - 150 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Toothpicks - 3 boxes
- Straws - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable trash bags - 50
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Table runners - 14 pieces
- Coffee cups to go - 100 pieces
- Diet-friendly sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free burgers - 10 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces

Tips

Plan drinks by time, not just by guest count: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options separately so they do not run out first.
Match tableware to the full menu. Count one plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per guest, then add at least 10% extra for dropped items, second servings and people who eat at different times.
For a barbecue, prepare separate cutting boards, knives, serving platters and tongs for raw and cooked food. Keep vegetarian products apart and bring enough roasting pans or covered trays for food that must wait before serving.
Do not leave cooling and hot-drink equipment until the last day. Reserve coolers, ice, thermos flasks, a coffee machine and kettles at least one week ahead, then chill drinks before moving them outside.
Check equipment against the street layout before shopping. Count tables and chairs for every guest, allow space for buffet and drink stations, and confirm that the sound system, coffee equipment and other powered items fit the available outlets.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a street party?: For a mixed buffet, plan roughly 400 to 600 grams of food per adult, including salads, bread and side dishes. If the barbecue is the main meal, allow about 250 to 300 grams of raw meat or vegetarian products per adult, plus sides and snacks.
How many drinks should I buy for a street party?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for each following hour. Add at least 500 millilitres of water per guest, and increase the total for hot weather or a party lasting more than four hours.
How many plates, cups and chairs do I need?: Start with one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. Provide one chair per person who needs to sit, while high tables and beer tables can cover short visits and standing areas.
When should I reserve tents, tables and barbecue equipment?: Reserve party tents, tables, chairs, barbecues and other hired equipment at least two to four weeks before the street party. Check the weather forecast again 48 hours before setup and confirm delivery or collection times.

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