What you need for a circus show

A circus show needs more than a tent and a ring. You also need a clear plan for seating, sound, power, lighting, serving drinks, coats, waste, and performer areas. This shopping list helps you check the items that are easiest to overlook, especially cables, spare lighting, reusable cups, and equipment for the entrance and dressing room. Use your expected audience size to adjust quantities, then confirm technical requirements with the performers before buying or hiring anything.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Circus tent
Chairsqty 220
Foldable tablesqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 8
Entrance desk
Dressing room racksqty 4
Coat racksqty 6
Waste binsqty 10

Equipment

Audio mixer
Speakersqty 4
Microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
Audio cablesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 8
Power generator
Stage sectionsqty 8
Circus ring mat

Lighting

Stage lightsqty 8
Atmosphere lightsqty 12
String lightsqty 6
Battery lampsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 250
Forksqty 250
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 16
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Pitchersqty 8
Food warmersqty 4

Decorations

Circus flagsqty 20
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Red carpetsqty 2
Adhesive hooksqty 40
Ropeqty 100
Buntingqty 12
Program standsqty 6

Cleaning

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

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Barrier tapeqty 4
Cable matsqty 12
Flashlightsqty 6
Work glovesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 4 aerosol cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 16 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Kids' champagne - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Limes - 1 kilo
- Fresh mint - 4 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Corkscrew - 2 pieces
- Paper straws - 300 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 8 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Unsalted nuts - 3 bags
- Mini pretzels - 4 packs
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Mini croissants - 80 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 2 kilos
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Mini pistolets - 180 pieces
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber salad - 2 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Vegetarian quiche - 30 slices
- Mini pizzas - 100 pieces
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Garbage bags - 100 pieces
- Pedal bin liners - 50 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Labels - 2 packs

Tips

Plan seating for your confirmed audience capacity, then add a small number of spare chairs rather than relying on standing room. Keep a clear route to the circus ring, entrance desk, toilets, and exits.
Allow at least two reusable cups per guest if you are serving drinks during the show, so one can be in use while another is being collected or washed. Add coffee cups, plates, and cutlery only if food or hot drinks are on the programme.
Count power leads before setup: each powered speaker, light, mixer, and serving point needs a suitable connection. Keep extension cords, power strips, and battery lamps available for areas where cables should not run.
Confirm the performers’ technical list before purchasing audio or lighting equipment. A microphone count, cable length, mixer input requirement, and stage-light position can change the equipment you need.
Prepare the entrance and backstage areas as carefully as the audience area. An entrance desk, coat racks, waste bins, and dressing-room racks are easy to arrange late, but difficult to add once guests are arriving.

Frequently asked questions

How many chairs do I need for a circus show?: Use one chair per seated guest on your final visitor list, then add around 5% spare chairs. For 100 guests, that means about 105 chairs, provided the venue and capacity rules allow it.
How many reusable cups should I buy for a circus show?: Plan on two reusable cups per guest for a short event with one drinks service, and three per guest if drinks are served throughout the show. For 100 guests, prepare 200 to 300 cups.
How early should I arrange circus sound and lighting equipment?: Confirm the performers’ technical requirements at least 2 to 4 weeks before the show. Check the mixer, microphones, speakers, cables, power supply, stage lights, and backup lighting before the final shopping or hire order.
What power equipment is needed for a circus show?: Make a connection list for every speaker, mixer, microphone charger, light, and serving point. Have suitable extension cords and power strips ready, plus a generator if the venue cannot provide reliable power; test everything at least one day before setup.

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