What you need for a cabaret festival

A cabaret festival needs more than chairs and microphones. The audience must see and hear every performer, while performers need a usable stage, water and a separate place to prepare. This shopping list covers the practical equipment and serving items for the venue, stage, bar, buffet and dressing room. Check quantities against your audience size, number of acts and venue layout before ordering.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 6
Stage steps
Music standsqty 2
Audience chairsqty 160
Foldable tablesqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 4
Clothes hangersqty 180
Buffet tablesqty 4
Dressing room tablesqty 2

Tableware

Water glassesqty 180
Wine glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 100
Platesqty 180
Coffee spoonsqty 100
Serving utensilsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 20
Carafesqty 20

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 3
Speakersqty 4
Mixer
DI boxqty 2
Laptop
HDMI cablesqty 3
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 12
Cash register
Payment terminalqty 2
Cash box
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Timer

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 8
Stage lightsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 6
Light standsqty 4

Decorations

Backdrop cloth
Festival Flagsqty 12
Balloon archesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 16
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Program standsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving traysqty 12
Bottle openersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Safety

First aid kit
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Bollardsqty 8
Emergency lightsqty 4

Registration

Name badgesqty 180
Wristbandsqty 180
Program leafletsqty 180
Clipboardsqty 4
Pensqty 20
Cash float

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Ginger beer - 12 bottles
- Beer - 240 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 8 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Chai latte powder - 1 pack
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Granulated sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Mint - 10 bunches
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salted popcorn - 8 bags
- Bar snacks - 6 kilos
- Olives - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Mini cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Hummus - 5 kilos
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Cocktail sauce - 3 liter
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Pita breads - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Hummus wraps - 80 pieces
- Sliced chicken breast - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian spreads - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Cucumber - 5 kilo
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Feta - 3 kilo
- Pine nuts - 1 kilo
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Italian herbs - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Brownies - 160 pieces
- Mini muffins - 160 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Vegan pastries - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free pastries - 20 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Wooden cocktail sticks - 500 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 250 pieces
- Cocktail ice - 10 bags
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 80 pcs
- Compostable trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one audience chair per registered guest, then add 5–10% spare seating if the venue has room. Print the visitor list separately so late changes do not require replacing every seat plan.
For each performance area, check whether you need enough stage sections and stage steps for the planned floor plan. Confirm the stage height and access route with the venue at least 2 weeks before the festival.
Count microphones by act rather than by audience size. Keep at least 1 spare wireless microphone, and test the mixer, DI box, laptop, HDMI cables and speakers together during the technical check.
Order tableware for the catering format, not just the head count: plates, serving utensils and platters are needed for food, while water glasses, wine glasses and coffee cups cover different service moments. Add 10% spare glasses and cups.
Do not leave cable safety and lighting until the event day. Reserve extension cords, power strips, cable mats, LED spotlights and stage lights early, then mark cable routes on the floor plan before doors open.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a cabaret festival?: You need stage sections, stage steps, microphones, microphone stands, speakers, a mixer and suitable cables. Add a DI box, laptop, extension cords, power strips and cable mats if performers use music or video.
How many microphones should I buy for a cabaret festival?: Plan one microphone for each performer who speaks or sings at the same time, plus 1 spare wireless microphone. Confirm the final number with every act at least 2 weeks before the festival.
How many chairs and glasses do I need?: Provide 1 audience chair per registered guest and keep 5–10% spare chairs where possible. For glasses and cups, start with the guest count, add 10% spare stock and increase the number if drinks are served in multiple rounds.
When should I reserve cabaret festival equipment?: Reserve sound, lighting, stage furniture and serving equipment at least 2–4 weeks before the festival. Confirm delivery, setup access and the final technical requirements 7 days before the event.

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