German Market Shopping List

A German market needs more than food and drinks. You will need a practical setup for stalls, shared seating, serving, cooking, payments and changing weather. This shopping list covers the core equipment, tableware and supplies to check before market day. Plan quantities around your guest count and stall numbers, then add a buffer for breakages, queues and late arrivals. Items such as coolers, extension leads and serving bowls are easy to overlook until setup has already started.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 10
Foldable tablesqty 12
Beer tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer benchesqty 16
High tablesqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes hangersqty 120

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 180
Dessert platesqty 180
Soup bowlsqty 100
Water glassesqty 180
Beer glassesqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Knivesqty 180
Forksqty 180
Spoonsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving bowlsqty 20

Equipment

Gas barbecuesqty 3
Food warmersqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 8
Extension cordsqty 8
Cable reelsqty 4
Power stripsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Chef's bread knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum traysqty 60
Serving plattersqty 24
Thermos flasksqty 6
Bottle openersqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 3

Decorations

German flagsqty 12
Buntingqty 10
Red, white and blue tableclothsqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 12
Pavement signsqty 6
Table numbersqty 20

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED lanternsqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Dish brushesqty 6
Hand broomsqty 4
Dustpansqty 2
Mopsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Bratwurst - 180 pieces
- Vegetarian bratwursts - 30 pieces
- Sausage rolls - 220 pieces
- Pretzels - 180 pieces
- Pretzel rolls - 60 pieces
- Sauerkraut - 12 kilo
- Potatoes - 15 kilo
- Red cabbage - 8 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Red onions - 3 kilos
- White cabbage - 5 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilo
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Pickles - 8 jars
- Fried onions - 2 kilo
- Mustard - 8 bottles
- Sweet mustard - 6 jars
- Ketchup - 8 bottles
- Curry ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 jars
- Remoulade sauce - 6 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Vinegar - 3 liters
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Caraway seeds - 250 gram
- Garlic - 1 kilo
- Parsley - 500 grams
- Chives - 300 gram
- Mayonnaise-free dressing - 3 liters
- Sour cream - 4 kilos
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Honey - 3 jars
- Cinnamon - 250 gram
- Vanilla sugar - 20 sachets
- Mixed cookies - 6 kilos
- Cinnamon cookies - 120 pieces
- Apfelstrudel - 12 pieces
- Whipping cream - 4 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 240 bags
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Cola Zero - 18 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Grape juice - 8 packs
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 36 bottles
- Pilsener - 240 bottles
- Radler - 72 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Mulled wine - 12 liters
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Garbage bags - 120 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls

Tips

Allow at least one eating plate, dessert plate and soup bowl per expected guest, plus 10–15% extra for breakages and slow washing-up. Match the number of knives, forks and spoons to the largest serving period, not the average use.
Plan one water glass and one beer glass per guest if drinks are served at the same time. Keep extra glasses available for queues, and check that coolers have enough capacity before reserving drinks.
Count seating by function: beer tables with benches for groups, folding chairs for individual seats, and high tables for standing guests. Leave clear access between market stalls rather than filling every open space with furniture.
Treat power equipment as one setup: coffee machines, kettles, food warmers and cooking equipment may need separate outlets. Check the available power before buying extension cords, cable reels or power strips, and keep cables away from walkways.
Pack practical items for setup and service, not just display equipment. Cutting boards, serving spoons, serving bowls, coat hangers, flashlights and tableware are often needed before the first guest arrives.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a German market at home?: Start with market stalls or party tents, tables, seating, tableware, drink glasses and cooking equipment. For planning, provide at least one seat per guest who is expected to eat, then add 10–15% extra plates and cutlery.
How much tableware do I need for a German market?: Use one dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, knife, fork and spoon per guest as a starting point. Add 10–15% spare pieces, especially when there is no continuous washing-up during the market.
How many beer glasses should I buy for a German market?: Plan one beer glass per guest if everyone may drink at the same time, plus around 10% extra for queues, breakages and drink changes. If glasses are washed and reused during the event, the required stock can be lower.
What equipment is easy to forget for a German market?: Coolers, extension cords, cable reels, power strips, flashlights and serving utensils are commonly missed. Check them at least 2–3 days before the market so you still have time to borrow or replace anything unsuitable.

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