Throwing a party is brilliant fun right up until you realise how much stuff it needs. A gazebo in case it rains, somewhere for everyone to sit, a speaker loud enough to matter, a bit of lighting once the sun goes down. Buy it all and you've spent hundreds on things you'll use once and then trip over in the loft for the next five years.
This is the textbook "rent, don't buy" occasion. Here's what's worth renting for a UK party or event in 2026, what it costs, and how to keep the whole thing cheap.
The short answer
For a typical garden party or big birthday, the things most worth renting are a gazebo, extra seating, a speaker, and some lighting. Renting the lot locally usually costs far less than buying — and nothing ends up cluttering your home afterwards.
| What to rent | Why rent it | Typical UK day rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Gazebo / marquee | Bulky, weather insurance, used rarely | £15–£60 |
| Folding chairs & tables | Awkward to store in quantity | £1–£3 per item |
| Bluetooth / PA speaker | Expensive to buy for one night | £15–£40 |
| Party lighting / festoons | Seasonal, fiddly to store | £10–£30 |
| BBQ / pizza oven | Big, used occasionally | £20–£50 |
The essentials, one by one
A gazebo or marquee
British weather being what it is, cover is the smartest thing you can sort. A 3×3m pop-up gazebo handles a small garden gathering; a larger marquee suits a bigger crowd. Buying a decent one costs £80–£300 and then needs storing somewhere dry — renting one for the day is a fraction of that and someone else keeps it the other 364 days a year.
Seating and tables
Nobody owns enough chairs for a party. Rather than buying a stack of folding chairs you'll never use again, rent them by the item — it's usually a pound or two each. Same goes for trestle tables for the food and drinks.
Sound
A phone propped in a bowl doesn't cut it. A proper Bluetooth speaker — or a small PA if you've got a garden full of people — makes the night. These are expensive to buy for a single occasion, so renting one is an easy win.
Lighting
Once it gets dark, lighting is what turns a garden into a venue. Festoon lights, uplighters or a few battery lanterns do the job. They're seasonal and annoying to store, which makes them ideal to borrow.
The extras
A big BBQ, a pizza oven, a chocolate fountain, a bouncy castle for the kids — these are the classic "use once" items. Renting them locally means you get the fun without the storage or the outlay.
What it might cost — a worked example
Say you're throwing a 30th birthday in the garden for 25 people. A rough rental kit might look like:
- Gazebo: £30
- 20 folding chairs at £1.50: £30
- 2 trestle tables: £10
- PA speaker: £30
- Festoon lighting: £20
That's around £120 all-in for the big items — versus several hundred pounds to buy the same things, most of which you'd never touch again. And because you're renting locally, there's no depot trip across town.
How to keep the cost down
- Book early. Summer weekends and bank holidays get snapped up fast — the closer to the date, the slimmer the choice.
- Rent from someone nearby. Collecting from a neighbour beats a national hire depot on both price and hassle. That's exactly what Rentify is built for.
- Bundle your collection. Grabbing several items from the same local host saves time and trips.
- Check the weather, but plan for rain anyway. The gazebo is cheap insurance; don't skip it on an optimistic forecast.
Hosting the other side: rent your party gear out
If you already own the gazebo, the speaker, or that pizza oven, the same logic works in reverse — they could be earning you money between your own events. Party and event gear is in high demand every summer weekend, and it's gear that otherwise just sits in storage.
We've covered the maths on this in How Much Can You Earn Renting Out Your Stuff, and you can list an item in under 10 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What should I rent for a garden party in the UK?
The most useful things to rent are a gazebo (weather cover), extra seating and tables, a decent speaker, and some lighting. Add extras like a BBQ, pizza oven or bouncy castle depending on the occasion.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy party equipment?
For a one-off event, renting is almost always cheaper. Buying a gazebo, chairs, a speaker and lighting can run into the hundreds of pounds — and you then have to store it all. Renting the same kit locally costs a fraction and leaves nothing to clutter your home.
How much does it cost to hire a gazebo for a party?
In 2026, a pop-up gazebo typically costs around £15–£60 for the day depending on size, with larger marquees costing more. Renting locally from someone nearby is usually the cheapest option.
How far in advance should I book party rentals?
For summer weekends and bank holidays, book as early as you can — popular items go quickly. A couple of weeks' notice is sensible; more for big events or peak dates.
Where can I rent party equipment near me?
You can hire from event-supply companies, but renting locally from people nearby is usually cheaper and more flexible. Browse things to rent on Rentify to find party and event gear in your area.
The bottom line
A great party doesn't mean a cupboard full of single-use kit. Rent the gazebo, the chairs, the sound and the lights, enjoy the day, and hand it all back — no storage, no waste, and a lot less spent.
Throwing something soon? Find party and event gear to rent near you →