What to buy for a lantern parade

A lantern parade needs more than lanterns and drinks. You will also need practical supplies for the meeting point, refreshments, route marking, lighting and volunteer safety. Plan quantities around your confirmed attendance, then add a small buffer for unexpected guests and damaged items. Check batteries, extension cords and lanterns before the day, because replacements are harder to arrange once the parade is under way.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Folding tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
Folding benchesqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 80

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6
Scissorsqty 12
Table knivesqty 6

Equipment

Portable speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Decorations

Lanternsqty 130
Lantern polesqty 130
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8
Decorated route signsqty 12

Lighting

LED tea lightsqty 180
LED string lightsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 12
AA batteriesqty 48

Safety

Reflective vestsqty 20
First aid kit
Flashlight for route checkpointsqty 8
Barrier tapeqty 4
Conesqty 16
Walkie-talkiesqty 8

Craft supplies

Craft tablesqty 4
Children's apronsqty 20
Colored pencilsqty 12
Markersqty 12
Rolls of tapeqty 8
Rope rollsqty 4
Hole punchesqty 4

Registration

Name stickersqty 150
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 4
Participant formsqty 150
Cash box

Cleaning

Reusable cleaning clothsqty 20
Bucketsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Glovesqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Mini ice pops - 150 pieces
- Currant buns - 80 pieces
- Mini bake-off rolls - 100 pieces
- Butter - 4 packets
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 100 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 2 packs
- Vegan snacks - 4 packs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Include hot drinks if the parade takes place in cold weather.
Allow one reusable cup per guest plus at least 10% extra, so 50 guests means 55 cups. Buy or bring matching plates and cutlery for the snacks rather than relying on disposable extras.
Use at least one visible light source at every route checkpoint, and keep spare AA batteries with the lighting supplies. Test LED tea lights, string lights and flashlights before packing them.
Give each route marshal a reflective vest and a flashlight, and place the first aid kit at the reception table. Keep spare batteries and basic safety equipment easy to reach rather than packed in a vehicle.
Bring one waste bin for roughly every 25–30 guests and place them near the reception and refreshment tables. Pack scissors, table knives, serving trays and extension leads together so setup does not stop while someone searches for them.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a lantern parade?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per person per additional hour. Add 10% extra if attendance is uncertain or guests may stay after the walk.
What lighting do I need for a lantern parade?: Prepare lanterns for every participant, plus LED tea lights or string lights for the meeting point and route. Bring at least one flashlight for each checkpoint and pack spare AA batteries for every battery-powered light.
What safety equipment should I bring to a lantern parade?: Provide one reflective vest and one flashlight for each route marshal, together with a clearly accessible first aid kit. Check these items at least 24 hours before the event and replace missing or faulty equipment.
How many cups and plates do I need for a lantern parade?: Bring one reusable cup and one plate per expected guest, plus 10% extra. For 50 people, that means at least 55 cups and 55 plates, with matching reusable cutlery for the snacks.

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