What you need for a beer Christmas market

A beer Christmas market needs more than beer and Christmas decorations. You’ll need enough glassware, chilled drinks, serving equipment, snacks, cash-handling supplies and protection from cold or wet weather. This shopping list helps you prepare the bar, stalls and visitor areas without leaving essentials until the last delivery day. Use your expected visitor count to adjust quantities, then confirm supplier and equipment deliveries several days before the market.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Christmas stallsqty 8
Beer tablesqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 48
Bar stoolsqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 12
High tablesqty 8
Stoolsqty 16
Clothes racksqty 2
Crowd control barriersqty 12

Tableware

Beer glassesqty 300
Wine glassesqty 80
Water glassesqty 120
Platesqty 180
Bowlsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving plattersqty 24
Serving tongsqty 16
Carafesqty 12

Equipment

Beer tapsqty 3
Beer coolersqty 3
Refrigeratorsqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Cash registersqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Food warmersqty 4
Hand mixersqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 8
Kitchen knivesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 12

Kitchen

Pansqty 6
Frying pansqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Baking dishesqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6
Kitchen scalesqty 2

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Table runnersqty 20
Menu boardsqty 10
Chalk markersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 16
LED lampsqty 24
Lanternsqty 12
Batteriesqty 48

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 8
Towel rollsqty 12
Disinfectant sprayqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Pilsner kegs - 6 kegs
- Craft beer kegs - 4 kegs
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Pilsener beer - 8 crates
- Specialty beer bottles - 10 crates
- Radler - 4 crates
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Mulled wine - 20 liter
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Tea bags - 4 boxes
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Oranges - 6 kilos
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Bitterballen - 800 pieces
- Cheese soufflés - 400 pieces
- Mini frikandellen - 400 pieces
- Flaming snacks - 300 pieces
- Vegetarian bitterballen - 300 pieces
- Vegan spring rolls - 300 pieces
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini rolls - 120 pieces
- Herb butter - 12 tubs
- Cheese cubes - 8 kilos
- Liverwurst - 5 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Party nuts - 10 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Mustard - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Satay sauce - 4 jars
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Napkins - 2000 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 1000 pieces
- Wooden forks - 800 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 800 pieces
- Paper cups - 600 pieces
- Stir sticks - 600 pieces
- Ice cubes - 40 kilos
- Frying oil - 20 liter
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 4 jars
- Paprika powder - 4 jars
- Garlic powder - 4 jars
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Aluminum trays - 300 pieces
- Food containers - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Blue gloves - 400 pieces
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 24 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Disinfecting gel - 8 bottles
- Receipt rolls - 6 rolls
- Cash change - 1 stock
- Wristbands - 600 pieces
- Price stickers - 10 sheets
- Highlighters - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan for two to three beers per visitor during the first hour, then add extra stock for the rest of the event. Include water and non-beer drinks so guests are not relying on beer alone.
Prepare at least one beer glass per expected visitor if you can wash and reuse them; otherwise, buy 1.5 to 2 glasses per visitor. Keep separate supplies of wine glasses and water glasses if those drinks are being served.
Book beer taps, coolers and refrigerators early, and test every tap at least one day before opening. Chill the first stock 12 to 24 hours ahead rather than waiting until the morning of the market.
For food, prepare one snack portion per visitor as a minimum, plus serving platters, bowls, tongs and plates. Collect dietary requirements before shopping so vegetarian, vegan or allergen-free options are not an afterthought.
Set aside cash for change and test the cash registers and card machines before visitors arrive. Put weather protection in place at least two hours before opening, especially for the bar, queues and payment area.

Frequently asked questions

How much beer do I need for a Christmas beer market?: Use two to three beers per visitor for the first hour, then add roughly one to two beers per visitor for each additional hour. Increase the amount if the market lasts more than three hours or beer is the main refreshment.
How many beer glasses do I need per person?: Plan on one beer glass per visitor when glasses can be washed and reused during the event. For single-use or limited-wash setups, allow 1.5 to 2 glasses per visitor, plus a small reserve for breakage.
When should I chill the beer for the market?: Move the first beer stock into refrigerators or beer coolers 12 to 24 hours before opening. Keep backup stock cold throughout the market and confirm the cooler capacity with the supplier several days in advance.
What should I buy for a beer Christmas market in bad weather?: Have party tents or other weather protection ready for the bar, stalls and payment queue, with space for people to stand without blocking service. Set it up at least two hours before opening and check the forecast again the day before.

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