What Size Tent Do I Need for 50 Guests?

Trying to plan an outdoor event with a tent for 50 guests? You may wonder what size tent for 50 guests is the best. When holding an activity on such a scale, many would type the keyword "large tent rental" on their search engines to find some key information, so as to calculate the rough space they'll need for this event.

Generally, an area of approximately 400 to 600 square feet would be perfect. So the 20x20 tent and 20x30 tent are two common choices for you.

However, the specific size of the 50 person tent may vary according to the event type, seating arrangement, additional space reserved for equipment, aisles, and stages. 

Factors to Consider Tent Size for 50 Guests

Before you dive into planning your wonderful event, there are several important factors to consider. They will determine how big of a tent for 50 guests should be. Thus, you should carefully think about the points listed as follows:

Space Requirements for Different Events

First things first, the tent size for 50 guests relies heavily on how you gonna use the tent. The layout of the venue and the specific arrangement of various functional areas under the tent may vary. 

For instance, if it is just a small cocktail gathering, say, everyone can stand and there's not so much equipment, then it requires less space. But things can be different if it is a large formal outdoor event. You must reserve enough space for people and essential items. 

Seating arrangement can be a big factor that may decide the space needed for the event. Specifically, round tables often take up a larger area while rectangular tables won't need too much space.

Additional Facilities

Planning a 50-person tent event requires careful spatial strategy for both comfort and functionality.

You can simply start by allocating particular zones to store additional facilities like power distribution devices, heating/cooling systems, audio equipment, and dance floors, if they are required. If possible, create a scaled floor plan to map out exact placements for all these elements.

Take the dance floor as an example. You may need to prepare at least an area of 108 square feet, as the normal dance floor size is often 9x12 ft. Therefore, the best size tent for 50 guests with dance floor would be 20x30 tent. 

During any seated event, the seating arrangements would account for most of the tent space. A well-planned 20x30 tent table layout allows you to place about 5 tables for your guests. You can arrange them near the dance floor or the stage. But remember to always maintain 36-inch clear pathways between seating clusters and facilities.

Different Layouts of Tent for 50 Guests

No matter whether you choose to rent outdoor tents for parties or directly purchase them for enduring use, you should never overlook the particular layout of the venue. There are basically two popular choices for your party's seating: the 60-inch round table and the 8-foot rectangular table. And each of them can be paired with 8 seats. 

These two tables can be freely arranged according to different party styles, thus forming various layouts of the party tent for 50 guests. The following are four major layouts that may help you accommodate your guests comfortably:

• Theatre-style Seating
  

Theatre-style seating is pretty simple. You are definitely into it if you are seeking a clean, minimalist party. The seats are arranged in rows, facing the same direction towards the stage or dance floor. For such a party scale of around 50 guests, you may place two tables in one row and organize three rows in total, so that you can get 6 tables for your event.

This arrangement is perfect for activities like business training, academic meetings, performances, and weddings. If you don't need the aisle, you can connect two tables together in the row, and this will save you a lot of space.

At each end, an extra table can be added, so this layout can help you provide 54 seats for your guests. But if the aisle is required (say, if you are planning the wedding tent layout), it is also easy to separate the two tables to form an aisle.

Thus, this kind of seating is very flexible to use. It fits particularly well under a 20x20 tent layout. To create a cozy environment for your 50 guests, you'll need to reserve at least 6 square feet of space for each person. 

But don't worry, the 400-foot area provided by the tent is sufficient for you to arrange the seating with confidence. It even allows you to add a stage, dance floor, and other essential equipment.

• Banquet Seating
  

Banquet style seating can help you create a classic, elegant style for your event. It is typically used to host formal gatherings where guests can dine and socialize with one another. You can match banquet seats with either a dance floor or buffet seating arrangement.

Either way, before you apply this layout, it is vital to prepare a 20x30ft tent first. This will provide you with an area of 600 feet, which is enough for the overall arrangement of seats and facilities.

For dance floor setups, allocate a standard 9x12ft (108 sq ft) dance area. Then you have around 500ft left for your event. This is relatively large to place 5 rectangular tables seating 8 guests each. You may need to keep at least 3 feet between table edges (about arm's length when two people pass side-by-side) and 4 feet between table rows (allowing servers to maneuver with trays).

The buffet arrangements require slightly different planning. You'll need 7 rectangular tables in total. Two of them can be placed at the corners to present dishes, while the rest of the 5 pieces will be arranged at the center of the venue for dining.

Through this seating arrangement, everyone can get a space of 10-12 ft, which allows them to freely move and interact with one another. This is especially good for creating a cozy and unforgettable party experience.

• Cocktail Setup
  

Tall tables are essential for cocktail setup. They provide a place for guests to sit down and talk to each other. For a 50-guest cocktail party, the 20x20 tent is a perfect option. The 600 feet area is enough for you to arrange 8 high-top round tables, with each paired with 4 seats. It is ideal for events where guests can mingle rather than sit for long periods. 

In addition, the corner bars and lounge chairs are also included in the 20x20 tent layout planning. During the party, some people might sit around the tables, while others would stand in the unoccupied areas.

So, generally speaking, such a setup would house 50-60 people. Even when the tent is stuffed with necessary seats and facilities, every guest can still get an 8ft space for them to comfortably drink and eat. 

• Sit-down Dinner
  

A sit-down dinner is essential for activities like weddings, corporate meetings, birthday celebrations, and buffet parties. It is highly recommended that you prepare a 20x30 tent if you are going to host any of these seated events for 50 guests.

There are three ways to make the most of the interior of the tent. You can put 6 round tables in an organized way to offer 48-60 seats. Or you can also add a dance floor or buffet to help liven up the atmosphere.

But this would naturally reduce the space you can use for the seating arrangement. After installing a 9x12ft dance floor, the left area would allow you to equip another 5 round tables and create 40-50 seats.

If you are trying to treat guests with a buffet, you should put two banquet tables in the corner first, and then arrange 5 round tables for them to sit and enjoy their meal.

In a sit-down dinner, to ensure your all the guests have a more comfortable and relaxed time during the event, it's better to leave an area of 10-12 square feet for everyone.

Then, if taken into account the space that other facilities (round tables, dance floor, and buffet banquet tables) may take up, it's reasonable to select the 20x30 ft tent for this layout. The 600 square feet room is large enough for a sit-down dinner of 50 guests. 

🎈You May Also Read: 22 Wedding Dance Floor Ideas For a Buzzing Atmosphere

Deciding on the particular layout of the tent can be a little bit tricky, but it can be simplified if you think from a different angle. That is, purely choosing between the round table and the rectangular table. This will make the tent table and chair rentals less overwhelming. 

Specifically, you can rent 6 60-inch round tables for a 20x30 ft tent, while the same number of 8-foot rectangular tables for a 20x20 ft tent.

Different Tent Styles for Parties and Events

The success of any outdoor event starts with the right tent from the outset. Three popular tent types are especially suitable for holding a 50-guest party. They are pole tents, frame tents, and clear top tents. Each of them brings unique advantages listed below:

Pole Tent 

One defining feature of the pole tent is its peaked roof due to the center pole inside. The elegant arc profile makes it look like a gorgeous backdrop for such grand events as galas, concert performances, and wedding parties. It is highly suitable for any soft ground surfaces like grass and beaches.

Frame Tent

The major difference between a pole tent and a frame tent is that the latter doesn't need any central poles. So there is gonna be a spacious room under the cover. You can freely arrange round or rectangular tables in this tent.

The frame tent can be easily set up on various grounds, be it grass, concrete, or asphalt. You can freely personalize it by party tent decorating ideas, like adding romantic lights, beautiful decor, and any other party-themed elements. 

Clear Top Tent

The transparent beauty of the clear top tent adds a romantic vibe to any outdoor event, especially grass tent weddings and starry night experiences. It can complement various themes and decorations.

More importantly, the clear top of this tent greatly enhances the efficiency of utilizing natural light during the day, which would create a warm and bright atmosphere for the party.

Find the Ideal High Quality 50 Person Tent 

Choosing the best 50 person tent from multiple options may be difficult. You should carefully consider several key factors, such as the local climate and the time of hosting the event. For instance, during summer and winter days, the outdoor weather might be either scorching hot or extremely cold, so it's key to cool or heat the tent by equipping the HVAC system, ventilation, heater fans, etc., accordingly. 

As daylight fades, adding extra tent lighting is also important. There are numerous choices for this. Fairy lights, string lights, twinkle lights, and paper lanterns are all commonly used to illuminate the venue.

When you are seeking the ideal 50-person tent, it's better to opt for a high-quality one. It will function as a solid shelter for both guests and assets during use. If you rarely host parties and events, then renting a tent for the party is more cost-effective. But if there are multiple parties to organize in a year, it's wiser to purchase a professional tent from a reliable tent supplier.

At Sheltent, we promise to provide you with the best tents for your 50-guest party and tailored solutions to assist you in planning the most enjoyable party ever.

Our tents are all crafted from sturdy materials. The framework is made of anodized 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, and the PVC cover is 100% waterproof. These ensure that the tent can withstand harsh weather like strong winds, snow, and even pouring rain.

Conclusion

Finding the right tent that could perfectly accommodate 50 guests is pretty simple as long as you choose an expert supplier like Sheltent. We provide professional 20x20 tens, and 20x30 tents, both can create sufficient room for your party. 

And the best part is that we can also help you plan the layout of the event and give suggestions that fit all your needs and requirements. Contact us today, and you'll have a wonderful party without any hassle!