38 Street Party Ideas for Event Creators

As an event organiser, you probably see street parties as a low-hanging fruit — after all, they come with a built-in audience.

But to maximise this opportunity, you need to come up with outstanding street party ideas that will make your event the talk of the neighbourhood.

If you don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help. With over 20,000 events created daily, Eventbrite has plenty of game ideas, food options, and decorations to help get your party rolling.  

Let’s dive in.

Choose your street party ideas category:

Street party game ideas

Your choice of activities can help the community come out of its shell and encourage attendees to connect with their neighbours. 

Since games are a key element in a street party, you’ll have to allocate an event budget for them. Costs add up quickly when securing the right space, hiring facilitators, or purchasing equipment.

The good news is that there are many ways to manage upfront expenses.

You can tap into your local network to find cost-effective alternatives, community partnerships, or vendor discounts. Or use strategies like early bird ticket sales to secure immediate revenue and draw in more attendees. 

If you’re an Eventbrite user, creating early bird tickets is quick and easy to do in the dashboard. Plus, our built-in tools let you spread the word across multiple channels, maximising your reach and sales.

Now, let the list of games begin. 

1. Icebreaker bingo

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪

Accessibility: ♿♿♿ 

Kick off your block party with icebreaker bingo. This entertaining game gets people talking and laughing straight away. 

The goal of the game is for participants to find people who match the descriptions on their Bingo cards and get them to sign or initial their squares. Rather than numbers, the Bingo card contains characteristics or traits that describe a person. 

Find a talented bingo caller with buckets of energy to run the game. You can hire someone or look for volunteers who are excited about the event and want to get involved.

Block Party / Fun with Friends / Washington, DC

2. Giant Jenga

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Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Accessibility: ♿♿

Jenga tournaments are always a crowd-pleaser. The game is easy to set up and the rules are straightforward: Players take turns carefully removing wooden blocks from the tower and placing them on top, attempting not to topple the structure. 

For some inspiration, take a look at Some Single Thing’s regular Jenga Speed Dating Events for dating with a twist. The blocks also include icebreaker questions to help keep conversation flowing. 

💡Pro Tip: Giant Jenga is suitable for all ages, creating a dynamic environment as people cheer each other on. But make sure there’s adult supervision when kids are playing to avoid accidents when blocks come crashing down.

3. Hula hoop contest

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Accessibility: ♿

Want to inspire some friendly competition? Include a hula-hoop contest to energize and entertain everyone, whether they’re adults, kids, or even grandparents. 

Put together a feel-good music playlist for the competition. It can help set a fun and lively atmosphere, even for those who would rather skip the hula-hooping. 

💡Pro Tip: You can further engage the rest of your audience through interactive elements such as voting for their favourite performers or running mini hula-hoop challenges with prizes at the end of each challenge.

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure-Austin Trails / Urban Adventure Quest / Austin, TX

4. Treasure hunt

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Accessibility: ♿

A scavenger hunt engages everyone and ignites a sense of friendly rivalry. To get the most out of this activity, set challenging yet achievable tasks for attendees. 

A scavenger hunt can also be a brilliant tool to explore the neighbourhood and strengthen bonds.

Foster a sense of community by including clues that point participants to local landmarks and historical sites, as well as challenges that require them to engage with other community members (such as, taking selfies with neighbours). 

For inspiration, check out Treasure Hunt Tours. Their events take place across the UK and offer a range of activities.

5. Bean Bag Toss

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Accessibility: ♿♿

Bean bag toss (or Cornhole)  makes a great game for street parties, thanks to its simplicity and universal appeal. The game involves two inclined boards — each with a hole near the top — placed opposite each other at a set distance. 

Participants, old and young, can take turns tossing bean bags (or corn bags, as traditionally used) toward the opposing board, aiming to land their bags on the board for one point or in the hole for three points.

You can also host a tournament with teams and prizes for the winners. That’s sure to get everyone involved and having a good time.

6. Water balloon toss

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Accessibility: ♿♿

Give your guests a hilarious way to cool off during the warmer months with a water balloon toss. 

💡Pro Tip: Water balloons leave behind scraps of rubber that can be hard to clean up, so it’s best to have your toss on a flat concrete area, like a parking lot instead of a grassy field. Lying a tarp down can also help if there isn’t a better surface available.

7. Three-legged race

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Accessibility: ♿ 

If you’re planning to add a three-legged race for your street party, organise the participants into pairs and tie one leg of each pair together. Enjoy the hilarity as they all race to the finish line first.

💡Pro Tip: While it’s fun watching the participant’s coordinated attempts to reach the end goal, there’s always a risk of someone falling. Have a first-aider on standby to treat possible twisted ankles.

Check out this guide on how to make your attendees feel safer at your events.

Day Trill / Stay Silent / Providence, RI

8. Dance-off

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪

Accessibility: ♿♿

Dance-offs are a great block party idea for adults ready to let loose and have fun — you can also include a children’s dance-off to make sure everyone gets a chance to take part.

So go ahead and put on some electrifying dance music everyone likes and see who can dance the longest. Or bring in a local DJ to keep the energy up. Make sure the last dancer takes home a prize.

For inspiration, look at BoxPark Shoreditch. At their Afrobeats vs Reggaeton bottomless brunch dance off, the DJ will alternate between genres to see which is most popular. The tagline says it all: “This isn’t your typical brunch – it’s a dance-fueled showdown!”

💡Pro Tip: Get volunteers or dance teachers to teach participants a dance routine. Having them around will make your event more polished and well-coordinated, while teaching guests a new skill.

11. Pin the tail on the donkey

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Accessibility: ♿♿♿ 

This classic game involves blindfolding participants and spinning them around to see if they can pin a piece of paper (or fabric) onto a picture of a donkey. It doesn’t have to be a donkey or a tail, as long as it involves those participating getting very dizzy!

It’s a perfect game for both children and adults alike. 

12. Frisbee noughts and crosses

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Accessibility: ♿

To host a frisbee noughts and crosses competition, you’ll need a giant version of the game made with PVC pipes or chalk on the pavement and plenty of frisbees. 

Make the grid clearly visible and large enough for players to toss their frisbees into the designated squares. Participants can take turns tossing their frisbees in hopes of making three in a row.

💡Pro Tip: Use a tournament structure to add spice to the game. Communicate the rules clearly, decide how teams will advance to the next round, and determine how they will compete for the grand prize.

13. Egg-and-spoon race

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Accessibility: ♿

An egg-and-spoon race is a classic street party favourite for generations. Players race down a designated course while balancing an egg on a spoon in their hand. 

Check out the Charity Sports Day at Bovey Castle for inspiration on how to host fun activities. 100m race in fancy dress, anyone?

💡Pro Tip: Egg-and-spoon races can get messy if enough people drop their eggs. Boil the eggs until firm to reduce messy splats, or lay covers on the ground to contain them.

Soulful Sundays / Soulfulofnoise / Los Angeles, CA

Street party food and drink ideas

What’s a street party without food? Having the right grub and refreshments can make attendees feel welcome and at ease. 

As an event organiser, it also presents a good income stream. Food and beverage sales are the biggest revenue generator after ticket sales.

But choosing the right vendors can be a complex task. Partner with local restaurants, and offer them promotional opportunities in exchange for sponsorships, discounts, or complimentary offerings. We have a complete guide to help you carry out this mission.

In any case, we have a long list of tasty fare to make your street party menu a hit.

14. BYOB (Bring Your Own Buffet)

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪  

Invite attendees to bring their favourite dish, and you’ll have a delicious spread without breaking the bank.

Ask guests to share their culinary creations in advance, so you can organise a well-balanced menu featuring various appetisers, main courses, salads, side dishes, desserts, and beverages. It also makes it less likely that you’ll see duplicate dishes on the table.

💡Pro Tip: Encourage as a £5 donation to help cover expenses like cleaning supplies and utensils.

If you’re planning to make your ‘bring-a-dish’ street party donation-based, you can use Eventbrite to create “Donation” tickets. But remember to set up a free ticket option, since donation-based tickets require visitors to enter a payment amount.

By establishing donation options early, you set clear expectations and encourage contributions right away.

15. Cakes and pastries

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Homemade cakes and pastries taste amazing, but it’s their warm, inviting aroma that truly enhances the atmosphere of your block party.

This food is versatile, so you could give the food a more personalised flair by incorporating local or seasonal ingredients your attendees will know and love. 

You could team up with a local bakery, or have volunteers bring their own tasty treats. Or better yet, hold a cake-baking contest. You get to cover food and entertainment with this simple street party idea. 

16. BBQ

Cost: 💸💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

​​Nothing says street party like a barbeque! You can use charcoal or gas grills to create a wide range of delicious food like burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and steak. 

Don’t forget to prepare plenty of sides and the condiments.

If you want to pair this with a street party game, try a hotdog eating contest. That way, everyone can get involved and interact with one another while having a great time. 

💡Pro Tip: Include options for vegetarian, pescetarian, and vegan attendees. Here are some excellent ideas.

17. Tuck shop

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Effort: 💪

Sweeten up your street party with a retro tuck shop. Serve sweets and goodies in cute striped paper bags – bonus points if they have your logo on, too. 

18. Cocktail bar

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

To ensure everyone has plenty of drinks accessible to them, you can provide cocktail pitchers for guests to enjoy. Go 

But you can also make this street party idea family-friendly by preparing special non-alcoholic drinks for the underage crowd.

💡Pro Tip: Keep in mind that excess alcohol consumption can pose liability issues. With snacks and water stations available, there’s less chance of this happening. You should also provide bar staff with training so that they can more easily handle guests who keep coming back for more.  

19. Street food trucks

Cost: 💸💸💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪💪

Food trucks are a delicious way to bring some fun and flavour to your street party. Besides providing premium food experiences, the right vendors can also increase attendance. 

Our TRNDS report showed 70% of event-goers enjoy trying new flavours and food. 

Invite a diverse mix of food trucks to give attendees a wide selection of flavors and cuisines. Consider featuring specialty trucks for desserts, drinks, or local favourites to transform your streetparty into an unforgettable neighbourhood food festival.

💡Pro Tip: When negotiating, always maintain professionalism and focus on creating a mutually beneficial partnership.

Building strong relationships with your vendors is key, especially if you plan to turn this into a recurring event.

Soulful Sundays / Soulfulofnoise / Los Angeles, CA

20. Taco bar

Cost: 💸💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Taco bars are a great way to feed a crowd, and they’re incredibly easy to set up. All you need is a source of protein (like chicken, pork, or soya mince), taco shells or tortillas, cheese, lettuce, salsa, onions, tomatoes, and any other toppings you want to provide.

If there’s a local taco place, ask them to give a demonstration to show neighbours how to level up their taco recipes. 

21. Popcorn machine

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪

Popcorn machines add enticing aromas and sounds to events, as well as offer fuss-free setup and use. 

Use classic ingredients like kernels, oil, and salt, or experiment with sugar and spices for unique flavors.

For a more branded experience, create custom popcorn boxes with your event’s logo or colors. Attendees can also take them home as a keepsake. 

22. S’mores station

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Nothing says summer like s’mores. They’re easy to make, taste amazing, and are universally loved. 

To keep things interesting, offer different kinds of chocolate bars and even some unique marshmallow flavors for variety. Just invest in a fire pit that’s big enough for everyone to use. 

💡Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check local fire regulations for safety and legal compliance.

SweetSpot / SweetSpot Dessert Festivals / San Francisco, CA

23. Ice cream station

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Ice cream is a classic summer treat, so why not provide an ice cream station with all sorts of cool flavors and toppings to make your street party stand out?

For the ultimate ice cream party look no further than Miss Ivy Events Ltd. Their Ice Cream & Bubbles Festival event features live music, bouncy castles and bubble workshops. They’ve got ice cream covered, too, with a mix of  gelato, Mr. Whippy and ice cream rolls. Yum.

If you want to serve a unique experience at your street party, make your own ice cream flavours using local ingredients. But be sure to try them first — you don’t want to discover that your fantastic idea wasn’t a delicious one after all.

24. Coffee cart

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Good coffee is a must – especially if it’s a family event with weary-eyed parents.  Team up with a local coffee shop as an event vendor, they might have a portable coffee cart.

Think outside the box and get creative, too. You could host a latte art workshop or lean into coffee trends, by serving such as nitro coffee and cold brew.  Be inspired by the sheer variety at Liverpool Coffee Festival. Happy caffeinating. 

25. Veggie platter

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Veggie options balance out all the rich foods at a party, plus some attendees may prefer a lighter snack. 

Offer bowls of fresh cut-up vegetables with dips like hummus, guacamole, and tzatziki  to satisfy a variety of cravings. 

💡Pro Tip: Impress your guests with an artistic vegetable arrangement for your centerpiece. Take interesting Instagram photos of it to post on social media pages or ads. 

Doing so can help you get more visitors for your next event. Our 2025 TRNDS report found social media drives event discovery, especially for younger generations.

With Eventbrite’s marketing platform, you can easily create Facebook and Instagram ads and even sell tickets directly on TikTok.

Street party decoration ideas

Decorations can turn a party from a local gathering to an official event. Your themes, goals, and the neighbourhood’s style when deciding how to decorate.

While it might seem overwhelming at first, you can narrow things down by talking to neighbours and learning how street parties typically look in their neighbourhood. You might notice recurring themes, favourite colour schemes, or design elements that reflect the neighbourhood’s character. 

Or if you need more inspiration, take a look at the list below for creative ways to spruce up your street party.

Day Trill / Stay Silent / Providence, RI

26. Inflatable decorations

Cost: 💸💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Inflatable decorations are a versatile and visually appealing way to elevate any event. Thanks to their lightweight, segmented design, they’re perfect for street parties that may need to relocate quickly due to weather conditions or other unexpected changes. 

Plus, their bold and oversized look makes your party more visually festive.

If you have the budget, you can add a multi-age inflatable play zone (such as obstacle courses or interactive bounce attractions). Get inspired by the Bounce Inflatable Theme Park.

27. Balloons

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪

When planning a street party, balloons are one of the first décor considerations. 

💡Pro Tip: Instead of traditional latex balloons, opt for vinyl. Vinyl balloons are colorfast and weatherproof, making them a durable, reusable option for multiple events.

Latex, on the other hand, oxidises and loses its shine when exposed to outdoor elements for long periods. 

28. Chalkboard signs

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪

Chalkboard signs add character to events, providing welcoming messages and directions. 

Work with local artists or graphic designers to create unique and eye-catching designs.

💡Pro Tip: Barter with local suppliers offering them free admission or an opportunity to advertise their business at the event.

29. Shaded areas

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Sun exposure, especially in summer, can cause discomfort and dampen party mood. If you’re hosting your street party outdoors, make space for tents, tarps, or shaded seating areas to ensure everyone stays cool and comfy.

Country Dance Party / The Contour Group / Nashville, TN

30. String lights

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪 

Hosting your street party at night? String lights are an affordable and easy way to enhance the vibe. 

Consider what ambiance you want to create when choosing a bulb style. Clear bulbs lend a more elegant and traditional look, while colored bulbs provide a brighter, more festive atmosphere.

31. Flowers

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Are you going for a more refined block party idea? Adding flowers to the decor is a good idea. 

You can get an excellent deal by working with local flower wholesalers and being flexible about flower choices.

Avocado Con / Spark Social / San Francisco, CA

32. Paper lanterns

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪💪

Paper lanterns come in a wide variety of colours and shapes, making them easy to match your party’s theme. Customize them well to create an Instagram-worthy atmosphere.

33. Photo booth backdrop

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A photo booth can provide a fun activity and help boost your event’s presence on social media. Make sure attendees use an event hashtag when sharing their photos to boost your event’s online visibility.

34. Outdoor rugs and pillows

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Make your street party a lot cosier by providing lounging options like outdoor rugs and pillows. These additions are great for small festivals and boho-style block parties.

Choose acrylic and olefin fabrics so your outdoor furniture won’t absorb liquids or wear and tear. Keep them clean as soon as possible to extend their lifespan.

35. Flags and bunting

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Are you hosting a street party in a vibrant and multicultural community? Putting up flags can help you promote unity and celebrate diversity. 

Alternatively, look for flags with a long history of local meaning and encourage people to bring their own.

36. Table centerpieces

Cost: 💸💸

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Effort: 💪💪

Impactful table centerpieces combine aesthetics with practicality. They’re great options for banquet-style gatherings and themed street parties. 

Choose centrepieces that facilitate easy conversation. Maintain clear sight lines across tables, keep essential items such as food, drinks, and event schedules close at hand, and provide enough space for personal belongings. 

37. Themed plates and napkins

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Want to strengthen your event’s branding and aesthetic? Custom-themed plates and napkins tick both boxes.

However, getting personalised options tends to be pricey. To cut costs, reach out to multiple vendors for the best deal or collaborate with other event organisers to place a bulk order.

38. Welcome sign

Cost: 💸

Family-friendliness: 👪👪👪

Effort: 💪 

All block parties need a good welcome sign. A strong, well-placed sign increases brand recognition right at the entrance.

Consider investing in high-quality event signage since you can always reuse it for future street parties. Make it prominent, easily visible, and include your event’s branding or logo. 

Put your street party ideas into action

Now that your street party playbook is packed with awesome ideas, it’s time to make your event more official.

Start by setting up a dedicated event page on Eventbrite. We can help you reach your target audience with a customisable event page and well-targeted social media ads and email campaigns. 

An online presence paired with a great marketing strategy will ensure that neighbours turn out and join in the fun.