What you need for an art market

An art market needs more than stalls and tables. You also need a reliable way to power payment terminals and lights, keep drinks cool, serve coffee and snacks, and make each stall easy to find. Buy or reserve the bulky items first, especially tents, market stalls, tables, chairs and art panels. Use the final participant count to adjust cups, glasses, plates and refreshments, then check the weather before deciding what needs extra cover.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 8
Market stallsqty 20
Foldable tablesqty 10
High tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Bar stoolsqty 8
Tablecloth racksqty 4
Clothes racksqty 4
Art panelsqty 12
Parasol basesqty 8

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable reelsqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
LED string lightsqty 12
LED work lightsqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Payment terminalsqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Glassesqty 120
Platesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Cake forksqty 100
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Serving tongsqty 8
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 24
Buntingqty 12
Flower arrangementsqty 10
Booth number signsqty 20
Welcome sign
Route signsqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Info panelsqty 4
Name badgesqty 40
Badge holdersqty 40

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Coolersqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Beer - 48 cans
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian pâté - 4 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole wheat loaves - 6 pieces
- Gluten-free bread - 3 packages
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Olive tapenade - 4 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 4 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilos
- Raisins - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Butter cookies - 8 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Apple pies - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Tea filters - 2 boxes
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Paper plates - 250 pieces
- Wooden forks - 250 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 8 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Reserve tents, stalls, tables and chairs as soon as the date and layout are fixed. A market with 20 artists may need 20 numbered stall spaces, plus at least one table for registration, refreshments or information.
Plan one extension cord or cable route for each powered area, then add at least 20% spare cable length. Keep power strips and cable reels away from walkways and tape down any cable crossing.
For refreshments, allow 2 cups per visitor who is likely to stay for coffee, plus 10% extra. Prepare at least one pitcher and two thermos flasks for each serving point so queues do not stop when a coffee machine or kettle is busy.
Buy disposable serving supplies only after you know the expected attendance. As a starting point, allow 1 plate and 1 fork per snack portion, 2 cake forks per person for shared cakes, and 1 serving tong per food item.
Do not leave lighting and payment equipment until the event morning. Test every payment terminal, LED work light and string of lights 48 hours beforehand, and keep one spare power strip and a charged walkie-talkie at the organiser’s table.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an art market?: Plan for stalls, tables, chairs, tents or shade, tablecloths, art panels, payment terminals and power equipment. Add refreshments with roughly 2 cups per expected coffee drinker, 1 plate per snack portion and 10% spare tableware.
How many tables do I need for an art market?: Start with one table or stall space per participating artist, then add at least 2 shared tables for registration, refreshments and information. Confirm the final participant list before ordering, and leave a clear route between rows.
How much coffee and tableware do I need for an art market?: Allow 2 coffee cups per person expected to have coffee, plus 10% spare. For snacks, plan 1 plate, 1 fork or cake fork and 1 napkin per portion, with at least 2 serving tongs if you offer more than one food item.
When should I order tents and market stalls?: Reserve tents, market stalls, tables, chairs and art panels at least 4 weeks before the market. Check the reservation again 7 days before the event, then inspect the equipment and layout on the final setup day.

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