Tent hire gets you a roof for the day: a peg-and-pole tent that goes up on a lawn, a farm field, a school field or a yard, and comes down again the next day. It is the usual choice for weddings, funerals, unveilings, church events and school fun days across South Africa, because it is the cheapest way to cover a crowd. Tell us the date, the number of guests, how they will be seated and where the tent must go, and tent hire companies in your area quote you directly.
How big a tent do you need?
Size the tent by how people will sit, not by the guest list alone. Rough floor space per person, before you add a stage, bar or buffet:
- Banquet seating at round tables: about 1.5 to 1.8 square metres per guest. A 10 x 20 m tent holds roughly 100 seated guests with room for a buffet.
- Rows of chairs, theatre style: about 0.8 to 1 square metre per guest, so a 6 x 12 m tent seats around 70.
- Cocktail style, standing: about 0.8 square metre per guest.
- Add extra for a dance floor (at least 3 x 3 m per 50 dancers), a stage, a bar, a cake table and a catering tent.
If you are between two sizes, go up. A packed tent is hot and slow to serve. For tables and seating counts, see table and chair hire.
Ground, pegging and wind
A peg-and-pole tent is held down by ropes and steel pegs hammered into soil, so it works best on lawn, grass, gravel or packed earth. On paving, tar or a concrete slab you cannot drive pegs, and the company will instead use water barrels, concrete blocks or weights on every pole, which costs more. Tell the supplier what the surface is, and whether there are irrigation lines, cables or drains under the lawn that must not be hit.
Wind is the real risk. Ask what wind speed the tent is rated for, how it is pegged, and whether the crew will check ropes on the day. Highveld afternoon storms and the Cape south-easter can lift a badly pegged tent, so many companies advise that guests leave the tent if gusts get strong. Never tie decor or lights to the tent frame without asking first.
Floors, sidewalls and what is included
A basic quote covers the tent, poles, ropes, pegs, delivery, set up and strike. Everything else is usually an extra, so ask for it by line:
- Sidewalls: plain white walls to close off wind and rain, or clear walls to keep the view. Windows add light.
- Flooring: grass can be wet or uneven, so a raised floor or a ground sheet and carpet is worth it after rain. See marquee hire for fully floored frame structures.
- Lighting and power: a few bulbs, festoon strings or a generator. Tent poles in the middle of the room can be a problem for your floor plan.
- Fire safety: ask for a flame-retardant certificate, especially if you plan to use candles or a braai nearby.
What affects the price
Tent hire is priced by the size of the tent, the number of days, the distance from the depot and the extras above. Setting up the day before costs more than the same morning. Weekends from September to December, and Easter and the festive season, book first, so ask early. A larger tent often costs less per square metre. Compare quotes on the same basis: tent size, wall type, flooring, lighting, setup time and who removes it. If you want a smooth, tailored roof rather than a pole-heavy one, see stretch tent hire. For other costs, see event hire prices.
What to include in your request
- Date, venue and the ground type: lawn, paving or sand
- Number of guests and how they will sit
- Wall type: open, white sidewalls or clear
- Flooring, lighting and power needed
- Setup and strike times, and access for a truck
Tent Hire for different events
- Weddings and traditional ceremonies: a garden or farm tent over round tables, with sidewalls and lighting for an evening reception
- Corporate functions and year-end parties: a team-building day or year-end braai under cover on a lawn or sports field
- Conferences, launches and expos: a temporary breakaway or catering tent beside the main venue
- Birthdays and private parties: a backyard tent for a 21st or 50th over tables, a bar and a dance floor
- Kids' parties and baby showers: shade for a party on the lawn, with tables for food and a corner for the cake
- School events and matric dances: a fun day, prize-giving or matric function tent on the school field
- Funerals, church and cultural gatherings: funeral, unveiling and church tents seating hundreds on a yard or street
- Festivals, markets and sports days: stall, beer-garden and first-aid tents at markets, fairs and sports days
Frequently asked questions
How much does tent hire cost in South Africa?
How far ahead should I book a tent?
Can a tent be pitched on paving or a driveway?
Do I need a permit for a tent at home?
Tent Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg