Short answer: plan on one 60-inch round table per 8 guests or one 6-foot table per 6, one chair per guest, plus one extra 6-foot table for the buffet. For a 20-person Thanksgiving in Miami that is three round tables, 20 chairs and one buffet table — about $108 per day in rental items with folding chairs, before delivery.
Thanksgiving is the one holiday where the guest list quietly doubles. The dining table that comfortably seats eight on a normal Sunday suddenly needs to hold cousins, in-laws and the neighbour who "has nowhere to go". Renting is usually the cheapest way to fix that, and in South Florida — where the weather is good enough to eat outside on the fourth Thursday of November — it is how many families host in the backyard instead of squeezing around a dining room.
How many tables and chairs do I need for Thanksgiving?
Use these working numbers, which come from the sizes we actually deliver:
| Table | Seats comfortably | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| 60″ round | 8 | $13 |
| 6 ft rectangle | 6 | $14 |
| 8 ft rectangle | 8 | $14 |
| 6 ft foldable (buffet or kids’ table) | 6 | $14 |
Always order one chair per guest and a couple of spares. Then add one table for the food — a turkey, sides and desserts take far more surface than people expect, and a buffet line wants at least a 6-foot table per 20 guests. If you are unsure how the arithmetic works for other events, our guide to how many chairs and tables you actually need shows the full method.
Thanksgiving seating plans by guest count
- 12 guests: two 60-inch rounds (16 seats), 12 chairs, one 6-foot buffet table. Items: $26 + $33 + $14 = about $73/day with folding chairs.
- 20 guests: three 60-inch rounds (24 seats), 20 chairs, one buffet table. Items: $39 + $55 + $14 = about $108/day with folding chairs, or $153/day with chiavari chairs.
- 40 guests: five 60-inch rounds (40 seats), 40 chairs, two buffet tables. Items: $65 + $110 + $28 = about $203/day with folding chairs, or $293/day with chiavari chairs.
Those totals are rental items only. Linens, a tent and delivery are separate — our table and chair rental cost guide has the full breakdown.
Long family table or several rounds?
Thanksgiving is traditionally one long table, and rectangles do pack tighter: an 8-foot table seats eight, and two placed end to end make a proper family-style table for sixteen. But rounds are better for conversation and let you split the group, which keeps loud uncles and toddlers apart. A common compromise is rounds for adults and a single 6-foot foldable table for the kids.
Which chairs for Thanksgiving dinner?
A Thanksgiving dinner runs long — two to three hours at the table is normal — so comfort matters more than at a cocktail party.
- White folding chairs are $2.75 each per day. Practical and the cheapest way to seat a crowd.
- Padded chairs are $3.75 each per day and noticeably better for a long meal.
- Chiavari chairs are $5 each per day (plus $0.99 for a cushion) and photograph best. Our chiavari vs folding chairs comparison helps you decide.
Dress the table: linens, runners and centrepieces
A rented table is a blank canvas, and linen is what makes it look like Thanksgiving rather than a school cafeteria. A 120-inch round linen is $14 per day and a 6-foot rectangle linen is $12. Add a table runner at $3 in an autumn colour, candle centrepieces at $18, and a silverware set at $5 per setting. Silverware and plates mean no one is washing 40 place settings on Friday morning.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit at a 60-inch round table?
Eight comfortably. Ten is possible but guests will be elbow to elbow, and at Thanksgiving, with large plates and serving dishes on the table, eight is the realistic number.
How much does it cost to rent tables and chairs for Thanksgiving in Miami?
Tables rent for $13–$16 per day and chairs for $2.75–$5 each per day. A 20-guest Thanksgiving with three round tables, 20 folding chairs and a buffet table is about $108 per day in items, before linens and delivery.
When should I book Thanksgiving rentals?
As early as you know your headcount. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest of the year in South Florida, so the earlier you reserve, the better your pick of items and delivery windows.
Do you deliver Thanksgiving rentals to Broward and Palm Beach?
Yes. We deliver and set up across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Delivery is quoted separately based on distance, and warehouse pickup is free.
Ready to lock in your Thanksgiving order? Browse tables and chairs, or call (305) 528-4444 with your date and guest count and we will price it with you.
