The 50-Person Birthday Party Checklist
For a 50-person birthday party you need decor for one focal wall (a balloon garland, a number balloon, and a banner), seating and tables for roughly 50 guests (about 6-7 banquet tables and 50 chairs), tableware for 50 (plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery), drinks kept cold with a cooler and dispensers, hot food held in chafing dishes, a photo backdrop, and a favor for each guest. The grouped checklist below lists exact quantities, and the shoppable kit underneath maps each line to a product.
Interactive planner
Personalize and track the checklist
Your progress is saved on this device until you choose to save it to an account.
0 of 17 complete
Shop the checklist
Each item maps to a product in our catalog. When a current in-stock retailer price is available, we show it; otherwise use the product page to compare links.
Pastel Birthday Balloon Garland Kit
$27.50 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartString Light Set - 100ft Warm White
$29.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartWhite Resin Folding Chair
$2.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartBirthday Party Tableware Set (16 guests)
$24.50 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartDisposable Gold-Rim Dinner Plates (50 pack)
$25.50 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartStainless Steel Chafing Dish Set (8 qt)
$59.99 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartRolling Party Cooler (80 qt)
$139.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartSome links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Shortcut: shop the Birthday Ultimate bundleUltimate
A curated kit that covers most of this checklist in one place.
Reviewed by EventPlanner Editorial · last reviewed July 16, 2026. Quantities and budget bands state their assumptions and are planning aids, not vendor quotes or professional safety advice.
Continue planning
Frequently asked questions
How many tables and chairs do I need for a 50-person birthday party?
Plan for about 6 to 7 six-foot banquet tables, since each comfortably seats 8 guests, plus 50 chairs. Add one extra dressed table for the cake and gifts. If guests will mingle and stand, you can drop to 4-5 tables.
How much food and drink do I need for 50 people?
Budget roughly 1.5 servings of each main dish per guest and keep hot food in two 8-quart chafing dishes. For drinks, an 80-quart cooler holds enough cans and ice for 50, and two beverage dispensers cover water, lemonade, or punch. Plan on 2-3 drinks per guest over a few hours.
How many balloons do I need for a 50-person party?
One 16-foot balloon garland plus a set of giant number foil balloons is enough to create a single strong focal wall, which photographs better than scattering balloons around the room. Add a banner above it to finish the backdrop.
What tableware quantity should I buy for 50 guests?
Buy for at least 50 and round up about 10% for spares and seconds. Three to four tableware sets of 16 covers plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery, and a 50-pack of gold-rim plates handles the cake course.
How far in advance should I plan a 50-person birthday party?
Start about 4 to 6 weeks out: lock the date and venue first, send invitations 3-4 weeks ahead, then order decor and tableware so everything arrives with time to inflate balloons and set up the day before.