What you need for a King’s Day festival

A King’s Day festival needs more than orange decorations and drinks. You’ll need enough reusable tableware for the busiest serving period, coolers and thermos flasks for drinks, and practical equipment for preparing and serving food. Plan seating, buffet space and shelter before buying supplies, especially if guests will stay for several hours. This checklist also helps you spot items that are often arranged too late, such as extension cords, microphone stands and separate meals for dietary requirements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
Bar stoolsqty 6
Buffet tablesqty 3
Tablecloth racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable glassesqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving traysqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Whiskqty 2
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable power banksqty 4

Decorations

Dutch flagsqty 8
Orange pennantsqty 12
Orange balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Orange table runnersqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 6
Chalk markersqty 8
Program postersqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Trash grabbersqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Paper towel holdersqty 4

Sports equipment

Traditional Dutch gamesqty 6
Hoopsqty 6
Trash bagsqty 10
Tug of war rope
Conesqty 20
Trophiesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 6 six-packs
- Pilsener beer - 10 six-packs
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Kaiser rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onion - 1 kilo
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Herb butter - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Sirup waffles - 6 packs
- Mini custard pastries - 100 pieces
- Orange biscuits - 100 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Wooden popsicle sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch in coolers before guests arrive and keep a separate reserve for later.
Have at least one reusable plate, bowl, glass, cup, fork, knife and spoon per guest, plus 10–15% extra for replacements during a busy festival. Add serving spoons, small bowls and serving trays for the buffet.
Prepare one buffet table for every 20–25 guests so queues do not build up. Keep cutting boards, chef’s knives, mixing bowls and a whisk in the food-preparation area rather than at the serving table.
Provide shelter before setting out food and equipment: party tents, foldable tables, folding chairs and bar stools should be ready before the forecast is checked again on the event day. Protect tableware and food from rain and wind until serving starts.
Test the active speakers, mixer and microphones at least one day ahead. Use extension cords long enough to reach the sound position safely, and keep coffee machines, food warmers and coolers on separate, accessible power points where possible.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a King’s Day festival?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one per person per hour. For food, provide at least one substantial portion per guest and add 10–15% extra for late arrivals, seconds and dietary substitutions.
How many plates, glasses and cutlery items do I need?: Start with one of each item per guest, then add 10–15% spare reusable plates, bowls, glasses, cups, forks, knives and spoons. Serving spoons, trays and small bowls are additional items, not replacements for guest tableware.
When should I buy and chill drinks for King’s Day?: Buy non-perishable drinks and supplies at least three to five days before the festival. Chill the first batch in coolers the day before, then top them up on the morning of the event so everything is cold when guests arrive.
What equipment should I arrange before the festival?: Confirm tents, tables, chairs, buffet furniture and sound equipment at least one week ahead. Test the speakers, mixer, microphones and extension cords one day before, and set up food warmers, coffee machines and coolers before food preparation begins.

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