What to Buy for a Lantern Festival

Use this shopping list to prepare a lantern festival with lighting, food service, seating and practical outdoor equipment. Plan separate supplies for the lantern display, the serving area and the routes guests will use after dark. Reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery reduce waste, while thermos flasks and pitchers keep drinks easy to serve. Check quantities against your guest count, then add a small spare allowance before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 110
Buffet tablesqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 130
Reusable bowlsqty 130
Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 130
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 16
Pitchersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 8

Decorations

LED lanternsqty 120
Paper lanternsqty 80
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 16
Lantern polesqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Decorative basketsqty 10

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 18
LED floodlightsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Music player
Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Rechargeable batteriesqty 40
Battery chargersqty 8
Mobile chargersqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 4
Serving tongsqty 10
Aluminum traysqty 20
Cutting board matsqty 6
Ice packsqty 24

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 8
Reflective vestsqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 12
Conesqty 20
Cable tiesqty 200
Work glovesqty 12

Activities

Craft tablesqty 4
Craft chairsqty 24
Children's apronsqty 30
Scissorsqty 30
Glue gunsqty 6
Craft binsqty 12
Waste binsqty 12
Chalk markersqty 20

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Washing-up basinsqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 6
Towel dispensersqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 4
Storage cratesqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kg
- Black tea - 6 boxes
- Herbal tea - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 1 kg
- Sugar - 3 kg
- Milk - 18 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Ginger ale - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Grape juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free wine - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 1.5 kg
- Hummus - 2 kg
- Cream cheese - 1.5 kg
- Young cheese - 3 kg
- Brie - 1.5 kg
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kg
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kg
- Cucumbers - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kg
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Carrots - 4 kg
- Grapes - 5 kg
- Apples - 8 kg
- Mandarins - 6 kg
- Bananas - 5 kg
- Mini croissants - 120 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Cookies - 5 kg
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 kg
- Olives - 2 kg
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 kg
- Black pepper - 250 g
- Paprika powder - 250 g
- Garlic powder - 150 g
- Italian herbs - 150 g
- Vegetable soup - 12 liters
- Soup vegetables - 4 kg
- Vegetable stock - 2 packs
- Pasta - 8 kg
- Pasta sauce - 12 jars
- Grated cheese - 3 kg
- Vegetarian meatballs - 5 kg
- Herb butter - 2 kg
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Tea filters - 2 boxes
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Garbage bags for glass - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 200 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Tissues - 12 packs
- Paper tasting cups - 300 pieces
- Craft paper - 20 packs
- Colored tissue paper - 20 packs
- Skewers - 300 pieces
- Washi tape - 30 rolls
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Glue sticks - 60 pieces
- Acrylic markers - 60 pieces
- Glitter - 20 jars
- Rope - 10 rolls
- Colored pencils - 20 boxes
- Marker pens - 20 boxes
- Labels - 500 pieces
- Wristbands - 150 pieces
- Pens - 30 pieces
- A4 paper - 2 packs
- Print paper for route signs - 100 sheets
- Duct tape - 8 rolls
- Cable ties - 500 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one reusable cup, plate, bowl and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra for breakages, delayed washing or misplaced items. Buy or collect serving spoons, platters and pitchers separately; these are easy to overlook when food is ordered.
For an outdoor evening, allow one LED lantern or visible light source for each dark route section, and use LED string lights and floodlights for entrances, tables and changes in level. Add extension cords, power strips and cable mats before setup day, not after the first lights are installed.
Provide around 1.2 chairs per expected seated guest if people will eat in groups, and use foldable tables for food and drinks rather than using every guest table as a buffet. Party tents and tablecloths should be arranged early if rain or damp weather is possible.
For hot drinks, plan one coffee cup per guest who is likely to want one and at least one thermos flask per serving point. Chill cold drinks several hours before guests arrive, and keep pitchers ready for water so the bar does not depend on individual bottles.
Buy lantern poles, paper or LED lanterns and fastening materials before the final setup check. Test every light, speaker, microphone, extension cord and power strip at least 24 hours beforehand; replace faulty batteries or cables before the event.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a lantern festival at home?: Start with lanterns, lantern poles, LED string lights, safe power supplies, reusable tableware, seating and weather protection. For planning, count one place setting per guest plus 10% spare, and provide lighting at every entrance, serving area and dark path.
How many cups and plates do I need for a lantern festival?: Plan one reusable cup, plate, bowl and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means 55 of each item unless you have a reliable washing station during the event.
How much lighting is needed for a lantern festival?: Use a separate light source for each entrance, serving point and section of path where guests could trip, then add decorative lanterns and string lights around the main area. Test the complete setup at least 24 hours before the festival, including cables and power strips.
What should I buy for an outdoor lantern festival?: Add party tents, tablecloths, tables, chairs, cable mats and weather protection to the lantern supplies. Check the forecast 48 hours before the event and make a final weather decision at least 24 hours beforehand, so covers and layout changes are not left until guests arrive.

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