What to Buy for a Cider Festival

A cider festival needs more than bottles and tasting glasses. Plan for chilled storage, water, snacks, clear cider labels, payment points and enough furniture for both seated and standing guests. Order tents, tables and power equipment early if the festival is outdoors, and confirm cider delivery times before you set the tasting order. This checklist helps you shop for the practical items that are easy to overlook until setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
High tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Sample glassesqty 140
Water glassesqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving traysqty 12
Pitchersqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 8
Ice water tubsqty 6
Bottle openersqty 12
Corkscrewsqty 6
Payment terminalsqty 2
Cash boxesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Paring knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Storage binsqty 12
Hot traysqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Cider name signsqty 18
Chalkboardsqty 6
Markersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Catering

Water dispensersqty 3
Drink cratesqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Buffet traysqty 12
Ice packsqty 30
Coffee machinesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ticket rollsqty 4
Wristbandsqty 150
Name stickersqty 150
Menu Card Holdersqty 10
Groceries
- Dry cider - 24 bottles
- Sweet apple cider - 18 bottles
- Semi-dry apple cider - 18 bottles
- Pear cider - 12 bottles
- Rosé cider - 12 bottles
- Non-alcoholic cider - 12 bottles
- Elderflower cider - 6 bottles
- Cider with ginger - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Flat mineral water - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Non-alcoholic apple spritz - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Soft goat cheese - 2 kilo
- Aged cheese - 3 kilo
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Vegan cheese - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Pears - 5 kilo
- Walnuts - 2 kilos
- Almonds - 2 kilos
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Crackers - 12 packs
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Allow 2–3 tasting pours per guest for the first hour, then add extra cider based on the event length and whether full glasses will also be sold. Keep a written inventory when the delivery arrives.
Provide at least one water glass per guest and place water beside the tasting area, not only at the bar. For a four-hour event, plan roughly 1 litre of drinking water per person, with extra for warm weather.
Have one sample glass per active tasting guest, plus at least 10% spare glasses for breakage and replacements. Buy or bring separate plates, cutlery and serving trays for the snack table.
Keep cider cold in coolers or ice-water tubs and have enough ice to refresh them during the event. Check that bottle openers, corkscrews and extension cords are available before suppliers arrive.
Prepare one payment terminal for each busy payment point and a cash box if you accept cash. Bring power strips and extension cords only after checking the venue’s available sockets and cable routes.

Frequently asked questions

How much cider do I need for a cider festival?: For tasting-only service, budget about 150–250 ml per guest for a short session. If guests can buy full glasses, start with 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and increase the quantity for every additional hour.
How many tasting glasses do I need per person?: Provide one sample glass per guest who will taste at the same time, plus at least 10% spare glasses. For 80 guests, that means 88 glasses if everyone tastes together.
How much ice do I need for a cider festival?: Start with roughly 0.5–1 kg of ice per guest when bottles are chilled in tubs or coolers, then add more for hot weather or a long outdoor event. Arrange delivery or collection no later than the morning of the festival.
When should I buy supplies for a cider festival?: Order tents, tables, glassware, payment equipment and lighting at least 2–4 weeks ahead. Buy fresh snacks and ice during the final 24 hours, and check all reusable equipment one day before setup.

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