What you need for a Christmas market with theatre

A Christmas market with a live theatre programme needs more than stalls and decorations. Plan separate supplies for shopping, food and drinks, visitor seating, the stage and the backstage area. The 61-item shopping list covers practical equipment such as tables, cups, serving trays, lights, props and Christmas décor. Check quantities against your stallholder registrations and theatre capacity before placing orders, then keep a small reserve for breakages and last-minute changes.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 16
Bistro tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 120
Cash desk table
Stage sectionsqty 6
Clothes racksqty 4
Coat rack
Bollardsqty 12

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 150
Glassesqty 180
Dessert platesqty 150
Soup bowlsqty 100
Forksqty 180
Knivesqty 150
Spoonsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving traysqty 12

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 3
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas wreathsqty 8
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Nativity scene
Theater backdrop
Theater props
Table runnersqty 20
Christmas figuresqty 10

Lighting

Light netsqty 12
LED light stringsqty 16
LED spotlightsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 8

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
Mixer
Speakersqty 2
Laptop
Payment terminalqty 2
Cash box
Coolersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Soup kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Serving plattersqty 20
Bottle openersqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Toilet brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea bags - 250 pieces
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Mini marshmallows - 3 bags
- Mulled wine - 24 bottles
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 8 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 4 boxes
- Cinnamon - 3 jars
- Cocoa powder - 2 kilograms
- Honey - 3 jars
- Lemons - 4 kilograms
- Oranges - 8 kilogram
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Christmas stollen - 8 pieces
- Raisin buns - 100 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilograms
- Hard rolls - 150 pieces
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Young cheese - 5 kilogram
- Brie - 3 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 4 kilograms
- Salami - 3 kilograms
- Smoked chicken - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 3 kilograms
- Egg - 60 pieces
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Cucumber - 4 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Red onion - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Christmas Cookies - 10 packs
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Pepernoten - 6 kilogram
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Apple pie - 8 pieces
- Vanilla sauce - 6 liters
- Tomato soup - 20 liters
- Vegetable soup - 20 liters
- Soup vegetables - 5 kilogram
- Breadstick croutons - 3 kilogram
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 3 jars
- Nutmeg - 2 jars
- Cloves - 2 jars
- Star anise - 2 bags
- Bay leaves - 2 bags
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper cups - 500 pieces
- Paper soup bowls - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Count tableware from your registrations, not from the number of stalls. For a seated serving area, allow one plate, bowl, fork, knife and spoon per guest, plus at least 10% extra for drops, returns and late arrivals.
Keep theatre supplies separate from market stock. Pack the scripts, backdrop and props in labelled boxes at least 24 hours before setup so they are not buried under decorations or stall equipment.
Plan hot drinks and food service by the first hour. Have at least two cups per expected visitor if refills are likely, and keep serving spoons and trays with the food rather than at the cash desk.
Buy lighting and decoration supplies before the final weather check. Light nets, LED strings, garlands and wreaths are easy to overlook when the focus is on stalls, but installing them safely can take several hours.
Reserve equipment for the theatre audience separately from market furniture. Confirm the capacity, then match folding chairs, stage sections and the backdrop to that number at least one week before the event.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a Christmas market with a Christmas theatre?: You need market furniture, food and drink tableware, Christmas decorations, lighting, theatre props and stage equipment. Start with the 61-item plan, then adjust quantities to your registered stallholders and confirmed theatre capacity.
How much extra tableware should I buy for a Christmas market?: Buy about 10% more cups, glasses, plates, bowls and cutlery than your expected peak requirement. For 100 guests, that means planning for at least 110 of each frequently used item, with extra serving spoons and trays where food is shared.
When should I prepare the Christmas market decorations?: Sort the Christmas trees, baubles, wreaths, garlands and figures at least 1 day before setup. Test light nets and LED strings at the same time, because replacing or repositioning them on event day can delay stall and theatre installation.
How far in advance should I arrange theatre supplies?: Confirm the programme and theatre capacity at least 1 week before the event. Print scripts, prepare the backdrop and label the props no later than 24 hours before setup so the stage team can work without searching through market deliveries.

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