What to Buy for a Holi Festival

A Holi festival needs more than colored powder and snacks. Plan supplies for food service, drinking water, changing areas, shade, music and safe movement around the site. Buy enough reusable tableware for every guest, plus serving equipment and small bowls for dips and sauces. Check dietary requirements before shopping, chill drinks in advance, and keep backup supplies for weather, spills and late deliveries.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Crowd control barriersqty 8
Changing boothsqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable bowlsqty 70
Reusable cupsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 10
Small bowlsqty 15
Serving plattersqty 12

Decorations

Colored pennantsqty 10
Flower garlandsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 6
Name badgesqty 70

Equipment

Portable speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Water hosesqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Serving tongsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4
Water jugsqty 8
Serving traysqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Hand brushesqty 4

Safety

Safety gogglesqty 60
Waterproof storage boxesqty 6
First aid kit

Game materials

Water gunsqty 30
Plastic bucketsqty 20
Sponge ballsqty 30
Ropeqty 2
Conesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Holi color powder - 12 kilograms
- Basmati rice - 5 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 3 kilograms
- Red lentils - 2 kilogram
- Wheat flour - 3 kilograms
- Papadums - 5 packs
- Naan bread - 30 pieces
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilograms
- Cauliflower - 3 pieces
- Spinach - 1 kilogram
- Coriander - 8 bunches
- Mint - 5 bunches
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Paneer - 2 kilogram
- Cheese - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Tahini - 1 jar
- Tomato salsa - 2 kilograms
- Mango chutney - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Yogurt sauce - 2 liters
- Samosas - 120 pieces
- Pakoras - 120 pieces
- Mini Spring Rolls - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 kilograms
- Cashews - 1 kilogram
- Popcorn - 2 kilograms
- Mangoes - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Jalapeño peppers - 3 jars
- Cumin powder - 250 grams
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Garam masala - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Chili powder - 150 grams
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 100 grams
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Mango lassi - 12 liters
- Spa Blue - 10 crates
- Sparkling water - 4 crates
- Fruit juice - 12 liter
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Wooden skewers - 200 pieces
- Matches - 2 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 200 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra for replacements and second servings. Buy enough serving spoons, tongs and platters so food service does not depend on one shared utensil.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Use coolers for chilled drinks and thermos flasks for hot drinks, and provide more water than colored drinks on a warm day.
Buy color powder in separate, clearly labeled containers and keep it dry until distribution. Prepare small bowls or scoops for serving so guests do not reach into the main supply.
For an outdoor festival, arrange party tents and floor tarps before the event day, not after the forecast changes. Water hoses and water tables should be ready before guests arrive, with changing booths placed where people can find them easily.
Check power needs before buying or bringing equipment: a portable speaker, microphone, extension cords and power strips may require more outlets than the venue provides. Keep decorations such as pennants, flower garlands and tablecloths packed separately so setup is faster.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Holi festival?: For drinks, plan two to three per person during the first hour and one per person for every hour after that. For food, provide at least one substantial serving per guest plus around 10% extra, especially if the festival runs through a normal mealtime.
How much color powder should I buy for Holi?: A practical starting point is 250 to 500 grams of color powder per guest, depending on how long the color activity lasts and whether guests bring their own. Buy the full amount at least one week ahead so you can check packaging and keep it dry.
What should I arrange for guests at a Holi festival?: Provide changing booths, drinking-water access, shade or party tents, floor tarps and clearly marked areas for food and color powder. Set these up at least two hours before guests arrive, because moving wet or colored equipment later is much harder.
How many plates, cups and chairs do I need for a Holi festival?: Plan one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per expected guest, with 10% extra for breakage or second servings. Provide one chair per guest if everyone needs a seat, and set up tables early enough to leave clear walking space between food, water and activity areas.

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