What to Buy for a Folk Festival

A folk festival needs more than food and drinks. You’ll also need practical supplies for musicians, market stalls, shared seating, evening lighting and clear directions around the site. Use this shopping list alongside your setup plan, then check quantities against your guest count and programme length. The items people most often leave too late are reusable glasses, spare batteries, extension cords, signage materials and weather protection for equipment and performers.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Market stallsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 150
Bar stoolsqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2
Coat racksqty 2

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
Speaker cablesqty 4
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
DI boxesqty 3
Guitar cablesqty 6
Spare batteriesqty 24
Cable matsqty 12
Cable tiesqty 100
Duct tapeqty 6
Toolboxesqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lightsqty 12
Light standsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Fabric clothsqty 8
Program boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 4
Chalk markersqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 220
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 180
Knivesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Spoonsqty 120
Serving spoonsqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Ice packsqty 30
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4
Storage boxesqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Hand broomsqty 4
Work glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 20 bottles
- Spa Rood - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Pilsner - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Bell peppers - 4 kilo
- Arugula - 1.5 kilos
- Mixed lettuce - 3 kilos
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Olives - 3 kg
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 8 bags
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilos
- Raisins - 2 kilos
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Lemon cake - 6 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 kilo
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 3 jars
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Tortilla wraps - 120 pieces
- Falafel - 6 kilo
- Chickpeas - 12 cans
- Couscous - 5 kilos
- Feta cheese - 3 kilos
- Yogurt dressing - 4 bottles
- Vegetarian burgers - 80 pieces
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Applesauce - 4 jars
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Rinse aid - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Cleaning cloths - 24 pieces
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Trash label stickers - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan at least two reusable drinking glasses per guest if washing facilities are limited, and add 10% extra for breakages, misplaced cups or late arrivals.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch before guests arrive and keep a separate supply of water available.
For live folk music, buy or bring spare batteries for every wireless microphone and active speaker accessory, plus at least one extra microphone and cable where the programme depends on a single performer.
Count extension cords, power strips and DI boxes before loading the vehicle. Keep audio power separate from lighting where possible, and bring enough cable length to place speakers safely away from walkways.
Prepare signs before the day: one programme board, one entrance or registration sign, and directional signs for toilets, stalls, food and the performance area. Pack chalk markers and weather-resistant covers so the signs remain readable.

Frequently asked questions

What drinks do I need for a folk festival?: For the first hour, plan two to three drinks per person, followed by one drink per person per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the first serving before guests arrive.
How many reusable glasses do I need for a folk festival?: Allow two glasses per guest when there is no quick washing point, plus 10% extra. For 100 guests, that means about 220 glasses.
What sound equipment should I bring to a folk festival?: Plan active speakers, a mixer, microphones, stands, speaker cables, guitar cables and DI boxes for acoustic instruments. Pack spare batteries and at least one backup cable for each essential connection.
How early should I buy supplies for a folk festival?: Buy non-food supplies such as tents, tables, lighting, cables and signage materials at least two weeks ahead. Purchase fresh food and chill drinks one to two days before the festival, depending on storage space.

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