What you need for a lantern parade

A lantern parade needs more than lanterns. You will need lighting for the route, supplies for carrying and displaying lanterns, clear signs, and safety equipment for volunteers managing the group. Buy or collect items based on your expected number of participants, then allow extra time to test lights, charge devices and assemble lantern poles. The shopping list below covers the practical equipment needed from the starting point to the end of the route.

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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 40
Blanketsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 12
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Paper lanternsqty 180
Lantern polesqty 180
Battery holdersqty 180
Decorative buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Table décorqty 10

Equipment

Megaphoneqty 2
Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Power banksqty 4
Charging cablesqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Flashlightsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Safety

Safety vestsqty 16
Traffic conesqty 20
Crowd barriersqty 8
First aid kit
Flashlightsqty 8
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Route signage

Route signsqty 20
Marker tapeqty 6
Chalkqty 12
Route mapsqty 100

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 200
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Pliersqty 6
Storage binsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Organization

Cash register or cash box
Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 20
Name stickersqty 100
Wristbandsqty 200
Storage cratesqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 2 kilos
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 200 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1 kilo
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Cucumbers - 2 kilos
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 1,5 kilo
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Mini cucumbers - 2 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salty pretzels - 5 bags
- Mini rice cakes - 6 packs
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Raisins - 3 bags
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Speculaas - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Allergy-free snacks - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber salad - 2 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Olives - 2 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Herbs - 4 pots
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper plates - 250 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Teaspoons - 250 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Large garbage bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant gel - 6 bottles
- Damp cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- AA batteries - 400 pieces
- AAA batteries - 48 pieces
- Duct tape - 6 rolls
- Cable ties - 200 pieces
- Rope - 4 rolls
- Name labels - 200 pieces
- Pens - 30 pieces
- Paper tissues - 20 packs
- Rain ponchos - 50 pieces

Tips

Plan one lantern and one lantern pole per participant, then add at least 10% extra for damaged items, late registrations or children without a lantern.
Use LED lanterns and LED light strings rather than open flames. Test every lantern, battery holder and extension cord at least 24 hours before the parade.
Prepare route signs and marker tape for every turn, entrance and exit. Put them together with flashlights so volunteers can place them before the group sets off.
Allow one safety vest for each route marshal and keep traffic cones, crowd barriers and the first-aid kit at the start location. Add fire extinguishers if any hot equipment or flame-based display is used.
Charge the megaphone, speaker, power banks and walkie-talkies the day before. Pack spare batteries and charging cables in one labelled box so replacements are available during the parade.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a lantern parade?: You need lanterns, poles, battery holders, spare batteries, route signs, marker tape and lighting for the route. Also prepare safety vests, traffic cones, crowd barriers, a first-aid kit, flashlights and communication equipment for volunteers.
How many lanterns should I buy per person?: Buy one lantern per participant and add at least 10% extra. For 50 participants, plan for 55 lanterns and poles so you can cover breakage, late arrivals and missing equipment.
When should I test the lantern parade lighting?: Test lanterns, LED light strings, extension cords and power strips at least 24 hours before the parade. Charge power banks, speakers and walkie-talkies the day before, not just on the event morning.
How much safety equipment does a lantern parade need?: Provide one safety vest for every volunteer managing the route, plus cones and barriers for crossings or crowded areas. Keep the first-aid kit and flashlights at the start point and carry spare batteries throughout the route.

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