Short answer: Plan one chair per guest, one seating table for every 6 to 8 people, and 1 or 2 more tables for food and drinks. If guests will still be outside around sunset, which comes before 6 PM on Veterans Day, add a tent with lights. Contact us on the hero line at 210-255-9070.
What do I need to rent for a Veterans Day backyard gathering in San Antonio?
San Antonio honors veterans all week. The Veterans Day Parade steps off from Milam Park at noon on Saturday, November 7. Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11. SA Veterans Day at Hemisfair runs from noon to 6 PM on Saturday, November 14. Plenty of families plan a lunch or early dinner at home before or after.
- Chairs for every guest, kids and grandparents included.
- Tables for seating, plus food and drinks.
- A tent if everyone will eat outside.
- String lights once the sun goes down.
How many tables and chairs?
Use this as a starting point, not a quote:
| Guests | Chairs | Seating tables (6 ft) | Food and drink tables |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12 | 2 | 1 to 2 |
| 20 | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| 30 | 30 | 5 | 2 |
| 40 | 40 | 7 | 2 |
A 6 ft table seats about 6 and a 60-inch round seats about 8. A potluck with slow cookers and a drink station needs more food table space than you think. Browse all tables and chairs. If you’re also hosting family for Thanksgiving, our Thanksgiving tables and chairs guide covers bigger holiday headcounts.
Which tent fits your group?
- 10×20 Pop Up Canopy Tent for a small group or to cover just the food table.
- 20×20 Pole Tent (White Top), a pole tent with center poles, for a mid-size backyard group.
- 20×20 High Peak Marquee Tent, which seats about 40 guests.
- Marquee Tent 20×40 for larger gatherings.
Tell us your guest count, your yard size and whether it’s grass or concrete, and we’ll help you pick. Our tent calculator is a good place to start.
Plan for an early sunset
Clocks fell back on November 1, and sunset in San Antonio on November 11 is about 5:40 PM. A gathering that starts at 4:30 will be eating dessert in the dark. String lights can go on any of our tents. Light the food table and the path back to the house. If evenings turn cool, we also rent a patio heater.
A simple layout for a backyard thank-you
- Set a small welcome table near the entrance for photos and cards.
- Put food on one side of the tent and seating on the other.
- Keep drinks away from the food line so people can refill easily.
- Leave room for kids to move without bumping into older guests.
To thank those who served, military families can use code MILITARY10 for 10% off rental items, one discount per booking. Enter the code at checkout.
FAQ
When should I book for Veterans Day week?
As soon as you know your date. The weekends of November 7 and November 14 fill up first, especially if you need a tent too.
What size tent do I need for 20 guests?
It depends on whether the food sits under the same tent. Call with your yard measurements and guest count and we’ll size it with you.
Can I add lights to a tent?
Yes. String lights can be added to any tent you rent.
What if it rains?
A tent keeps food and seats covered in a light shower. If you need to move your date because of rain, give us at least 48 hours’ notice.
Do you deliver outside San Antonio?
We deliver across San Antonio and nearby towns. Delivery fees depend on your address. Submit a quote or contact us to confirm we serve your area.
Ready to set up your Veterans Day gathering? Contact us on the hero line at 210-255-9070.