Outdoor holiday party for 80 guests in November 2026

Question

I'm planning an outdoor holiday party for 80 guests in my backyard next November. It's a catered evening event with alcohol, running about five hours. The yard is flat grass, and a service truck can pull right up to the edge of the lawn. I'm trying to decide between renting a couple of standard portable toilets with handwash stations or going for a small restroom trailer. I want to avoid long lines and keep things comfortable since it's a dressed-up gathering. How many units would you recommend for a group this size with food and drinks? And is a restroom trailer worth it for 80 people, or is that overkill?

Brooke L. · Answer

For an 80-guest holiday party with alcohol and a five-hour duration, rent two standard portable toilets and one ADA-compliant unit, plus two handwash stations. The ADA cluster rule requires one accessible unit when you have a cluster of portable toilets. Industry planning guidelines start near one unit per 50 to 75 people for a four-hour event, and you add units for alcohol, longer events, and mixed-gender crowds. A restroom trailer is not overkill for 80 guests at a dressed-up gathering; it provides flushing toilets, sinks with running water, mirrors, and better odor control, which guests notice. A restroom trailer needs level ground, electrical power from a generator or outlet, and service like standard units. Servicing frequency depends on use: weekly is the norm, but events with alcohol or full-day use may need pre-event and post-event service only. Cost is driven by unit type, rental duration, service needs, and delivery distance. Restroom trailers cost more than standard units due to their features and setup requirements.

Outdoor holiday party for 80 guests in November 2026

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