Event Power Guide: Generators, Lighting and Electrical Requirements

Event power requirements in Los Angeles depend on the size of your event, the type of equipment you are running, and where in the city your event is taking place. 

Whether you are hosting a backyard wedding in Pasadena, an outdoor graduation party in the San Fernando Valley, or a tented reception in Marina del Rey, getting your generator and lighting setup right is one of the most important decisions you will make for your event.

In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how much power your event needs, how to calculate the right generator size, and what your lighting setup requires. By the time you are ready to book, you will already know what to ask for and exactly what to expect.

Event Power Load: What Power Does Your Event Need?

Your total event power requirement is simply the sum of everything running on electricity at your event at the same time.

The challenge is that most hosts never sit down to add this up before calling a rental company. They know they need lights and maybe a DJ, but they forget the warming cabinets, fans, pin spots on the centerpieces, and the uplighting against the tent walls.

Here are the most common power-drawing items at a party rental event and their approximate wattages: 

LIGHTING

CLIMATE CONTROL

CATERING EQUIPMENT

EVENT PRODUCTION

The total of all these items gives you your event's running power load. Now that you know what draws power, here is how you’ll calculate for your generator.

How to Calculate Your Event Generator Size

Sizing a generator is simple once you have your equipment list. Follow these steps exactly. 

Step 1. List Every Item That Needs Power: Write down everything at your event that runs on electricity. Use the wattage guide from the section above. Do not leave anything out; include the DJ setup, every lighting strand, warming cabinet, and every fan.

Step 2. Find the Running Wattage for Each Item: Running wattage is how many watts the item uses once it is already on and operating. This is usually listed on the product label or in the manual. Use the estimates above if you do not have exact specs.

Step 3. Add All Running Watts Together: Add every item's running wattage into a single total. This is your baseline power load.

Step 4. Identify Your Highest Surge Item: Some equipment needs a short burst of extra power to start up, called surge or starting watts. Motors and blowers are the biggest culprits. Find the single item with the highest surge wattage, which is usually 2–3x its running watts, and add that number once to your total.

Step 5. Add a 20% Safety Buffer: Multiply your total by 1.2. This protects against unexpected additions, power spikes, and the reality that you should never run a generator at its maximum capacity continuously.

Step 6. Convert to Kilowatts: Divide your final number by 1,000. The result will be the minimum generator size in (kW) you need to book.

Example: A backyard birthday party running 4 bistro light strands (600W), 8 uplights (400W), a DJ setup (1,500W), 2 warming cabinets (2,500W), and 3 fans (600W) = 5,600 watts running. Add the DJ's surge at startup (1,500W extra) = 7,100W. Multiply by 1.2 safety buffer = 8,520W. Divide by 1,000 = you need at least an 8.5 kW generator. 

Once you have answered this question, the next step is calculating exactly what size, and that is where the generator calculator comes in.

Quick Reference Chart by Event Size:

Rule to remember: when in doubt, size up. A generator running at 70% capacity is safer, quieter, and more fuel-efficient than one pushed to its limit.

Generator vs Venue Power: Which Do You Need?

This is a question many people forget to ask until it's too late. Here is the simple checklist to know where your event falls:

You need a generator when:

• Your event is fully outdoors with no building nearby, a park, a backyard field, or an open venue lot

• You are hosting under a tent in a backyard or on private property with limited electrical access

• You are running high-draw equipment simultaneously, a full DJ setup, catering warming cabinets, lighting, and fans all at once

• You are more than 50 feet from the nearest power outlet, which is the point where voltage drop becomes a real problem over standard extension cords

• The venue's electrical panel cannot support your total wattage without tripping breakers

You may be fine with house or venue power when:

• It is a small indoor gathering with minimal equipment, which includes a few lights, a speaker, and nothing else

• All your equipment is within reasonable reach of existing outlets and can be distributed across multiple circuits

• Your total running power load is comfortably under 2,000 watts, with nothing drawing surge power at startup

What happens if you try to force too much through standard outlets?

This is where most last-minute emergencies actually start. When a host tries to run a DJ setup, four strands of bistro lights, two warming cabinets, and a set of fans all off the same household electrical panel, the result is predictable: tripped breakers, blown fuses, and, in worse cases, overheated wiring or damaged equipment. 

Resetting a breaker mid-reception or mid-dinner service is not just inconvenient; it can mean losing refrigeration on food, killing the music during a first dance, or losing all tent lighting at once.

Where should my generator be placed?

Regardless of size, generators must always be placed outdoors in a well-ventilated area, never inside a tent, a garage, or any enclosed space. Carbon monoxide from generator exhaust is odorless and accumulates fast in enclosed areas. 

Best practice for outdoor events in Los Angeles is to place the generator at least 20 feet from where guests will be gathered, with cabling run safely along the perimeter or beneath cable ramps where foot traffic will cross.

Why Event Lighting Power Matters So Much

Lighting is the most underestimated part of any event's power budget, and the most visible when it fails.

In Los Angeles, where outdoor events run year-round across backyards, rooftops, parks, and tented venues from Malibu to Long Beach and everywhere in between, lighting is rarely optional. It defines the mood, extends events into the evening, and for many hosts, it is the single most important visual element of the night. Understanding how much power your lighting setup actually draws is not optional either.

Types of event lighting and their power Draw:

1. The Bistro String Lights in the 25ft strand draw roughly 150–250 watts per strand. If you are hanging four strands across a 20×20 backyard tent, that is up to 1,000 watts of lighting load from string lights alone. 

2. The 100ft Bistro Strand draws approximately 500–600 watts per strand. 

3. The Cafe String Lights (available in 30, 50, and 100ft options) draw proportionally based on their socket count; a 48-socket 100ft strand draws significantly more than the compact 15-socket 30ft version. 

4. Twinkle Lights at 14ft per strand draw around 35–50 watts each, making them the most power-efficient option for accent lighting.

5. Uplights with gel and LED event lighting fixtures run at approximately 15–50 watts per unit.

6. Par pole lights (single, double, and triple configurations) draw more power per unit, ranging from 150 to 600 watts depending on the configuration.

7. Pin spotlights for illuminating table centerpieces pull about 50–75 watts each, small individually, but significant when running 20 or more across a large event.

The LED Advantage: Switching from incandescent to LED lighting for your event can reduce your lighting power load by 60–80%. For a tented event in Los Angeles running 8 strands of bistro lighting and 20 uplights, the difference between LED and traditional bulbs can mean the difference between needing a 10 kW generator and a 15 kW generator.

The Truss Connection: Del Rey also offers truss structures, including the 10'L x 10'W x 12'H Aluminum Truss Structure designed specifically to mount lighting, LED screens, speakers, and banners overhead at events. 

When using mounted lighting on a truss, factor in the combined wattage of all fixtures mounted on that structure, as they all feed from the same power source. 

But before you finalize your lighting rental order, add up the wattage of every strand, fixture, and effect light you are booking. That sum belongs in your generator calculator.

Get the Right Power Setup From Del Rey Party Rentals 

Planning an outdoor event in Los Angeles does not have to feel overwhelming when it comes to power and lighting. Whether your event is in Pasadena, Santa Monica, the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, or anywhere across Southern California, you now have a clear idea of what your event requires, how to size the right generator, and what to budget for your lighting setup. 

The next step is simple: request a detailed quote based on your exact event needs. We at Del Rey Party Rentals work with event hosts and planners across Southern California every day and can put together the right power and lighting package for your event. Call 310.676.6363 or visit our website to get started. 

Event Power FAQs

How much do generator rentals cost in Los Angeles? Generator rental prices in Los Angeles typically range from $150–$300/day for smaller units (5–10 kW) and $500–$1,000+/day for larger event generators (20 kW and above). Final pricing depends on generator size, rental duration, and delivery location. Contact Del Rey Party Rentals for a free quote based on your specific event needs.

Do you deliver and set up the generator? Yes. Del Rey Party Rentals handles full delivery, placement, and pickup of generator equipment throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Delivery timing is confirmed at booking, so your setup crew knows exactly when to expect the equipment on-site.

What happens if the generator gets damaged? Any damage to rental equipment is handled according to Del Rey's rental agreement, which is reviewed at the time of booking. Review your rental terms carefully before your event date so there are no surprises if an issue comes up.