What you need for a floating Christmas market

A floating Christmas market needs more than stalls and festive decorations. You will need equipment for pontoons, safe movement over water, lighting, power, serving drinks and handling payments. Buy or reserve the items with long lead times first, especially pontoons, generators, toilets and market stalls. Use the quantities in your event plan to complete the list, then check deliveries and stored supplies before setup day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Floating pontoonsqty 8
Christmas Market Stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 18
High tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 12
Tablecloth clipsqty 48

Water safety

Life ringsqty 6
Rescue linesqty 6
Life jacketsqty 20
Crowd control barriersqty 16
Non-slip matsqty 20
Emergency exit signsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 12
LED lanternsqty 20
Batteriesqty 40
Extension cordsqty 8
Cable traysqty 12

Equipment

Generator
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Warming kettlesqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Card machinesqty 4
Power stripsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Wine glassesqty 120
Platesqty 180
Bowlsqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 8
Pitchersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Food warmersqty 6
Cooling platesqty 8

Decorations

Christmas treesqty 4
Christmas baublesqty 120
Christmas wreathsqty 12
Christmas figuresqty 10
Christmas clothsqty 12
Directional signsqty 10
Stand number signsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Mop setsqty 3
Bucketsqty 6
Hand broomsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 12 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 aerosol cans
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 16 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Cocoa powder - 2 kilos
- Cinnamon - 4 jars
- Mulled wine - 30 liters
- Non-alcoholic mulled wine - 10 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 18 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 5 crates
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Apples - 12 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Christmas cookies - 10 kilos
- Spiced biscuits - 6 kilos
- Mini apple turnovers - 180 pieces
- Mini quiches - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian puff pastry bites - 180 pieces
- Vegan vegetable spring rolls - 120 pieces
- Christmas loaf - 8 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Herb butter - 3 kilos
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Wooden forks - 500 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Compostable waste bags - 80 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Propane cylinders - 4 pieces
- Firelighters - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan a separate safety kit for the water: life rings, rescue lines, life jackets, non-slip mats, barriers and emergency exit signs should be on site before exhibitors arrive.
Do not leave lighting and power until the last day. Check the number and length of extension cords, cable trays and power strips, and test the generator with the intended equipment before the market opens.
Store drinks refrigerated and check coolers at least 24 hours before the event. Include enough reusable cups for peak service, plus a reserve for cups that are lost or damaged.
Count serving equipment by service point rather than by event. Warming kettles, kettles, coffee machines and card machines may each need their own accessible power connection and a tested backup plan.
Finish the shopping only after exhibitor registrations and dietary requirements are processed. That prevents you from ordering the wrong amount of snacks, drinks or table equipment for the confirmed attendance.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a floating Christmas market?: Plan for market stalls, pontoons, tables, chairs, lighting, power, drink and coffee equipment, reusable cups and payment devices. Add water-safety equipment such as life rings, rescue lines, life jackets, barriers and non-slip mats before opening.
How early should I reserve pontoons and a generator?: Reserve pontoons and the power supply as soon as the date and location are confirmed, preferably several weeks before the market. Do not wait until the final week, when delivery slots and suitable capacity may be unavailable.
How many drinks should I buy per visitor?: For the first hour, allow around 2 to 3 drinks per person, then adjust for the expected visit length and weather. Keep drinks refrigerated and add a small reserve rather than relying on a last-minute shop.
When should I check the Christmas market supplies?: Complete a full inventory at least 24 hours before setup, then check delivered and borrowed equipment again on the morning of installation. Test lighting, power, coffee equipment and card machines before visitors arrive.

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