Checklist for organising a street party
Having a street party is easier than you may think and it will definitely be worth it. Trust that your neighbours will want one, because most probably will!
This website gives advice but you need to contact your council to actually close your road etc. if you have enough time.
By ‘street party’ we mean one that is organised by and for all residents in 1 or 2 small streets, without external publicity.
A wider public event in more streets needs extra arrangements than this website provides. Here is the difference:
To get going read our CHECKLIST below
or skip to our full RESIDENTS’ GUIDE
Getting Started 2-3 months in advance
- Chat about your idea with neighbours you know
- Look online or ask your council about their road closure procedures
- A full road-closed street party is best, or have a less formal quick street meet
- Think about when to hold it
- Plan 2 or 3 meetings by inviting everyone in your street in writing
- Ideally hold some of your meetings in the street
Planning
- If most of your street agrees, apply to council for road closure, or plan an informal street meet
- Share jobs – not one ‘organiser’ – involve everyone
- Plan activities for all ages and tastes
- Bring food to share, games, chairs etc. to share
- Probably no insurance is needed, unless your council actually ‘requires’ it – larger public events do need it
- Arrange road signs, some tables and chairs etc.
- Borrow, buy or make bunting
- Plan a Street Quiz – download it here
- Music not too loud, late or long, and for all tastes
- Money should not be needed and don’t raise it in advance, or if needed ask for donations or hold a raffle on the day
- No licence should be needed, unless selling anything
- Download all our free resources
- Bunting and kit to buy or hire – road signs, tables, prizes, banners etc.
- Greener event ideas.
- It is unlikely to rain much in the summer, but if unlucky watch the forecast and adjust the timings to suit. If a downpour go inside until it finishes. You may need a shelter from wind or sun with a gazebo or marquee.
- Kids play ideas in our Neighbours’ Street Play Guide
- Get Age Friendly Streets ideas
- Get our SwapShop kit to plan how to swap things, help or do things together during and after the day
A week before
- Send out a reminder for party about moving some cars if needed
- Display legal order for road closure if you are required to
On the day
- Set up road closure barriers and bunting etc.
- Keep an eye on the road closures in case someone wants to come in or out – be flexible
- After the pary clear up and open the road
Afterwards
- Share photos in windows, street or online.
- Set up regular street play activities with help.
- Plan next activity or event at other times of the year, such as pancake day, June strawberry tea party or mid-summer day, May Day, Halloween, Christmas and New Year, Easter or other festivals.
- Plan Window Wanderland house art displays.
- Green activities with neighbours in Transition Streets.
- Age Friendly Streets to mix up ages.
- More ideas and projects to build community spirit
If a full street party might be too much, or you can’t close your road, think of having a ‘street meet‘
Here is our full RESIDENTS’ GUIDE
For more ideas and inspiration see our:
