What you need for a Christmas market with circus

A Christmas market with a circus needs more than stalls and decorations. You will need equipment for the circus area, lighting and safe cable runs, payment points, catering, seating and visitor flow. Plan quantities from your expected attendance: allow one staffed entrance point per 250 visitors and at least one payment device per busy sales area. Order specialist items early, especially the circus tent, market stalls, stall weights and power equipment.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 4
Beer tablesqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Lounge sofasqty 8
High tablesqty 8
Clothes racksqty 8
Stall weightsqty 24
Circus chairsqty 300
Entrance tableqty 2
Crowd control barriersqty 20

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
LED lanternsqty 20
LED floodlightsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable matsqty 20

Equipment

Circus tent
Cash boxesqty 2
Card machinesqty 3
Queue barriersqty 12
Handheld megaphonesqty 2
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Sales cash registersqty 3
Fire extinguishersqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8
Batteriesqty 32
First aid kitsqty 2
Rain barrelsqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 120
Glassesqty 250
Wine glassesqty 100
Platesqty 250
Bowlsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 250
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Paring knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 12
Scissorsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 8
Food containersqty 20
Aluminum foilqty 6
Cling filmqty 6

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 6
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Poinsettiasqty 12
Christmas table runnersqty 20
Christmas figuresqty 10
Tableclothsqty 20
Price holdersqty 30
Santa costume
Photo backdrop
Directional signsqty 20
Parking signsqty 12
Program leafletsqty 500
Floor plansqty 500
Wristbandsqty 500
Name badgesqty 80
Pensqty 30
Price tagsqty 200
Rolls of tapeqty 12
Cable tiesqty 500
Rope rollsqty 6
Scissor setsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea bags - 400 pieces
- Hot chocolate - 30 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Cloves - 2 jars
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Sugar - 8 kilos
- Sweeteners - 400 pieces
- Milk - 30 liters
- Oat milk - 10 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Red wine - 18 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Mulled wine - 40 liter
- Apples for mulled wine - 8 kilo
- Oranges - 6 kilos
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Christmas stollen - 10 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Mini waffles - 300 pieces
- Pancakes - 250 pieces
- Apple fritters - 250 pieces
- Oliebollen - 300 pieces
- Mini sausages - 8 kilo
- Vegetarian meatballs - 5 kilos
- Sandwiches - 350 pieces
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Slices of cheese - 5 kilos
- Ham slices - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian spreads - 20 tubs
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 4 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 3 bottles
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Cheese sticks - 12 bags
- Mixed nuts - 8 kilos
- Popcorn - 6 kilos
- Marshmallows - 6 kilo
- Gingerbread - 12 packs
- Speculaas - 15 packs
- Christmas cookies - 15 packs
- Chocolate bars - 200 pieces
- Candy bags - 250 pieces
- Mandarins - 15 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Christmas napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper cups - 1000 pieces
- Stir sticks - 1000 pieces
- Wooden forks - 500 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 500 pieces
- Carry bags - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 6 rolls
- Frozen fries - 20 kilo
- Sunflower oil - 10 liters
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 3 jars
- Curry powder - 2 jars
- Bouillon cubes - 3 boxes
- Soup - 30 liters
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Garlic - 1 kilo
- Mulled wine cups - 500 pieces
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Food storage containers - 50 pieces
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 12 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 12 bottles
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Waste binsqty 20
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpansqty 4
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 6
Paper towelsqty 12
Disinfectant sprayqty 6

Tips

Allow at least two stall weights for every exposed stall leg, and add extra weights for party tents in open or windy areas. Confirm the supplier’s required ballast before delivery.
Plan lighting separately for atmosphere and safety. Use string lights and LED lanterns for the market, then place LED floodlights at entrances, paths and the circus area; keep cable mats and extension cords available for every power route.
Set up one entrance table with wristbands, route information and a cash box if needed. For a busy market, prepare one queue barrier lane per payment or registration point rather than letting queues block nearby stalls.
For hot drinks and food, count one coffee cup per serving plus at least 10% spare. Arrange coffee machines, kettles, coolers and food warmers so each catering point has its own service area and does not rely on one distant power outlet.
Prepare communication and crowd-control equipment before opening. Test every walkie-talkie, handheld megaphone and card machine at least one hour before visitors arrive, and keep spare charging cables or batteries with the event team.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a Christmas market with a circus?: You need market stalls, a circus tent, seating, tables, lighting, power distribution, payment equipment, catering equipment and crowd-control barriers. Add at least 10% spare cups and other disposable serving items to cover breakage and unexpected demand.
How many tables and chairs should I buy for a Christmas market?: Base the quantity on your layout and expected attendance rather than using one fixed ratio. Provide a separate table and seating area for each catering zone, then add 10–15% extra folding chairs and at least two high tables for visitors who are standing or waiting.
How early should I order a circus tent and market stalls?: Book the circus tent and market stalls as soon as the event date and grounds are confirmed, preferably at least 8–12 weeks before the market. This leaves time to check delivery access, anchoring, power outlets and the final site map.
What lighting and power supplies are needed for an outdoor Christmas market?: Plan string lights or LED lanterns for stalls and LED floodlights for paths, entrances and the circus area. Provide extension cords, power strips and cable mats for every planned route, and test the complete setup at least one hour before opening.

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