Organizing a Neighborhood Party

A neighborhood party is a very fun event. All neighbors come together on this day and get to know each other better. It’s often very cozy and increases the sense of community. But it does take a lot of planning, so here’s what to keep in mind.

Why a neighborhood party?

A neighborhood party is fun and cozy. You get together as neighbors and can get to know one another better. It also improves the atmosphere in the street, and chatting becomes easier. Keep in mind that new neighbors might have moved in throughout the year. They probably don’t know many people yet, so the party is a great way to welcome them. It’s also super fun for the kids—they get to play together and might even make new friends.

Organizing the neighborhood party

Organizing a neighborhood party takes a lot of work. That’s why it’s good to share the load. Appoint a few people who enjoy planning to take care of it together. If no one else starts organizing, take the lead and ask a few others to help. During the party, decide who will organize it next year. Make sure the same people don’t always have to do it—let everyone have a turn.

What do you need to arrange?

There’s a lot to arrange. First, choose a date—make sure it’s on a weekend. For example, Saturday works well since most people are off the next day. Then set a good budget and divide the costs among the neighbors.

Invitations

Invitations are super important—without them, no one will know about the party. Include the date, time, and costs. Break down the costs for children and adults. Include a deadline for payment and ask how many adults and kids are coming. Mention who to pay and how—cash or bank transfer.

Party tent

A party tent is a must. Make sure it’s big enough for everyone. You’ll also need furniture: chairs, tables, standing tables, trash bins, and a fridge. Music creates a nice vibe, so set up a speaker system with fun songs and take requests. A heater is great for the evening when it gets cold.

Food and drinks

Snacks and drinks are essential. If the party starts in the afternoon, consider a light lunch and some dinner. No need for anything fancy—just a few snacks on the table. Barbecuing in the evening is a great idea, just make sure to get a grill and enough meat. Later in the evening, put out chips and nuts. Make sure there’s plenty to drink: soda, juices, and alcohol.

Entertaining the kids

Keeping the kids entertained is a must. Get a big bouncy castle or invite someone to do face painting. That way the kids have fun and the parents can relax.

What can you do at a neighborhood party?

You’ll want activities to keep everyone entertained. You could make teams and compete in fun Dutch-style games like tug of war, “koekhappen” or the nail-in-a-bottle game. A photo scavenger hunt is also a great idea—create a list of things to take pictures with and see which team gets the most.

You could even use a photo app for the party. Everyone can take fun, spontaneous photos that can be viewed and downloaded later. Sharing these with neighbors is a great way to relive the fun and build excitement for the next party.

The costs

A neighborhood party isn’t free, so it needs to be paid for. You can contact the municipality to let them know about the party. They might even offer a small subsidy. It’s not guaranteed, but you can always ask—after all, “if you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” There will be costs, but you don’t have to cover them all yourself. Set a budget and divide it fairly. For example, ask €15 per adult. If some drink alcohol, ask them to pay a bit more. Kids eat and drink less, so maybe €5 per child. This way, everyone contributes fairly and you can throw a great party on this budget.