What you need for a covered Christmas market

A covered Christmas market needs more than decorations and stalls. You’ll need enough furniture for sellers and visitors, serving equipment for hot drinks and snacks, reliable power, payment terminals and clear signs. Buy or reserve anything with limited availability early, especially market stalls, refrigerators, coffee machines and extension cords. Use the number of registered vendors and expected visitors to set quantities, then add a small buffer for breakages and last-minute needs.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 14
Bar stoolsqty 8
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 4
Coat racksqty 3
Bollardsqty 12

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 100
Glassesqty 150
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8
Water carafesqty 8

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Payment terminalsqty 2
Power stripsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 10
Laptopsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Food warmersqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4

Decorations

Artificial Christmas tree
Christmas baublesqty 80
Christmas garlandsqty 20
Christmas wreathsqty 6
Nativity scene
Tableclothsqty 20
Christmas figuresqty 12

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 18
LED candlesqty 40
Light switchesqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Trash bag holdersqty 10
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Hand broomsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Hot chocolate powder - 2 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Mulled wine - 20 liter
- Cinnamon sticks - 4 bags
- Star anise - 3 bags
- Oranges - 5 kilos
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Mini sausages - 8 kilo
- Puff pastry snacks - 10 kilos
- Vegetarian snacks - 6 kilos
- Vegan snacks - 4 kilos
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 12 packs
- Herb butter - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cheese cubes - 5 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Toast - 12 packs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Christmas doughnuts - 150 pieces
- Christmas cookies - 10 boxes
- Brownies - 8 trays
- Christmas stollen - 6 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 2 packs
- Chocolate curls - 2 kilos
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Napkins - 800 pieces
- Paper cups - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs

Tips

Allow one market stall or selling space per registered vendor, plus at least one extra table for shared information, wrapping or overflow stock. Confirm the booth layout before buying tables so walkways remain clear.
For hot drinks, plan roughly one coffee cup per expected serving and keep two thermos flasks available per busy drinks station. Put kettles or coffee machines on separate power circuits where possible.
Count plates, glasses, cutlery sets and serving tongs by service period rather than by guest total. A practical starting point is 1.2 sets per expected seated guest, with extra serving platters for food stalls.
Check chilled products at least 24 hours before opening and reserve enough refrigerator or cooler space for every food vendor. Do not rely on indoor room temperature for dairy, meat or other perishable items.
Test every payment terminal, laptop, power strip and extension cord at least one day before the market. Bring one spare extension cord and keep cables away from entrances, wet areas and main walking routes.

Frequently asked questions

How many tables do I need for a covered Christmas market?: Start with one market stall or selling table per registered vendor, then add at least two shared tables for information, packing and refreshments. Add separate buffet tables if food or drinks are served away from the vendor booths.
How much crockery do I need for a Christmas market?: Allow about 1.2 cups, glasses, plates and cutlery sets per expected seated guest for each service period. For a four-hour market, add extra stock if washing up during the event is not possible.
How early should I buy equipment for a covered Christmas market?: Reserve market stalls, tables, refrigerators, coffee machines and payment terminals at least four weeks before the event. Complete the equipment and power test no later than the day before opening.
How many extension cords are needed for a Christmas market?: Count one suitable extension cord for each powered stall or service point, then keep at least two spare cords on site. Test the full setup before opening and avoid connecting high-load appliances to the same strip.

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