What you need for an evening market

An evening market needs more than stalls and products. You’ll need safe lighting, reliable power, serving equipment, payment supplies and enough furniture for exhibitors and visitors. This shopping list helps you prepare for a market with multiple booths, food or drink service and late opening hours. Check quantities against your exhibitor count and venue layout, then buy or reserve anything with limited availability at least two to four weeks before the event.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 6
Tableclothsqty 12
Booth panelsqty 12
Stall weightsqty 24

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 12
Batteriesqty 24

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable reelsqty 3
Cash boxesqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Handheld megaphone
Coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot drink urnsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Pitchersqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Teaspoonsqty 50
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Decorative potted plantsqty 8
Table signsqty 12
Wayfinding signsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Spongesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 2
Pedal binsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 2
Work glovesqty 12
Rubber glovesqty 8
Cleaning caddiesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kg
- Decaf coffee - 500 g
- Black tea - 100 tea bags
- Herbal tea - 50 bags
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 2 kg
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kg
- Olives - 2 kg
- Grapes - 4 kg
- Apples - 4 kg
- Bananas - 3 kg
- Carrots - 3 kg
- Cucumbers - 3 kg
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kg
- Bell peppers - 2 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Cream cheese - 1 kg
- Young cheese - 2 kg
- Brie - 1 kg
- Ham - 1 kg
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kg
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini wraps - 8 packs
- Toast rounds - 8 packs
- Unsalted butter - 1 kg
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto sauce - 4 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Herb mix - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Potato salad - 3 kg
- Pasta salad - 3 kg
- Salad greens - 3 kg
- Vegetarian wraps - 40 pieces
- Vegan toppings - 1 kg
- Gluten-free bread - 4 loaves
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Butter cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Mini muffins - 60 pieces
- Fresh fruit pastries - 4 trays
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Tea filters - 100 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Freezer bags - 4 boxes
Ice packsqty 24
Drink dispensersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Bread basketsqty 6
Buffet platesqty 8
Menusqty 8
Allergen chartqty 4
Price listsqty 12
Receipt rollsqty 8
Cash traysqty 4
Payment signsqty 4

Safety

Flashlightsqty 4
Safety vestsqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Non-slip matsqty 6

Office

Clipboardsqty 6
Pensqty 20
Notepadsqty 6
Tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Ropeqty 4
Staplersqty 2
Name badgesqty 30
Plastic document sleevesqty 30
Market mapsqty 100

Tips

Plan at least one table or market stall per exhibitor, then add 10–15% spare table space for shared displays, registration or overflow stock. Confirm the final exhibitor count before placing the furniture order.
For an evening setup, provide one light source per stall plus extra lighting for entrances, payment points and walkways. Buy spare batteries and test every LED lamp and string light at least 24 hours before opening.
Allow one extension cord, power strip or cable reel for each separate powered area, not for every individual appliance. Keep cables away from walking routes and reserve power capacity for coffee machines, kettles and hot drink urns.
Prepare payment supplies for the busiest hour: one cash box and one card machine per payment point, with enough change for the first 30–50 transactions. Charge card machines fully and test them before exhibitors arrive.
For hot drinks and shared food service, provide at least one serving utensil per dish and enough cups, plates and reusable tableware for one full visitor wave. Set out coolers, pitchers and thermos bottles before catering deliveries arrive so drinks do not sit uncovered.

Frequently asked questions

How many tables do I need for an evening market?: Start with one table or stall per exhibitor, then add 10–15% extra capacity for registration, shared displays and replacement space. For 20 exhibitors, that means planning for at least 22 tables or equivalent display areas.
How much lighting is needed for an evening market?: Use at least one lamp or light source at every stall, plus separate lighting for entrances, payment points and walkways. Test the complete setup 24 hours before the market and keep spare batteries on site.
How many cups and plates should I buy for an evening market?: Plan for one full serving round for every expected visitor, then add 10–20% spare tableware. If 100 visitors may eat or drink at the same time, prepare at least 110–120 cups and plates, depending on the service format.
When should I reserve market stalls and power equipment?: Reserve stalls, tents, power supply and lighting at least two to four weeks before the event. Confirm quantities again after exhibitor registration closes, because late additions can affect the booth layout and electrical load.

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