What to buy for a Liberation Festival

A Liberation Festival needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough reusable tableware, serving equipment, chilled storage and practical items for a busy outdoor programme. Use the plan’s shopping list to organise groceries, setup materials and equipment before deliveries arrive. Pay special attention to coffee service, sandwich preparation, children’s activities and weather protection, because these are easy to leave until the last day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Beer tablesqty 12
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 120
Bar stoolsqty 12
Coat racksqty 2
Coat hangersqty 150
Bollardsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 180
Reusable bowlsqty 80
Reusable cupsqty 300
Coffee cupsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving traysqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Bread knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Pliersqty 8
Glovesqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Food warmersqty 4

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Speaker standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Cash boxesqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Charging stationsqty 2

Lighting

LED light garlandsqty 8
LED construction lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 8

Decorations

Dutch flagsqty 12
Orange pennantsqty 10
Red, white and blue garlandsqty 12
Balloonsqty 200
Balloon pumpsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 20
Program standsqty 4
Chalkboardsqty 6

Sports equipment

Game matqty 4
Ballsqty 12
Conesqty 20
Skipping ropesqty 8
Ring toss setsqty 3
Sidewalk chalk setsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 4
Cleaning spongesqty 12
Trash bag holdersqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- White casinobread - 12 loaves
- Brown casino bread - 8 loaves
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 120 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Aged cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Liver pâté - 12 tubs
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Egg salad - 2 kilo
- Cucumbers - 15 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Oranges - 6 kilos
- Strawberries - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salted peanuts - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 8 bags
- Mini pretzels - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Mini cookies - 10 packs
- Stroopwafels - 10 packs
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Mustard - 1 liter
- Garlic sauce - 1 liter
- Sambal - 4 jars
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Dried oregano - 1 jar
- Coffee beans - 3 kilo
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Decaf coffee - 500 grams
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Whole milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Cola Zero - 18 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Beer - 120 cans
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Wooden satay skewers - 500 pieces
- Paper napkins - 1,000 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 500 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 4 bottles
- Cleaning cloths - 30 pieces
- Scouring sponges - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Napkin dispensers - 6 pieces
- Drinking straws - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Teaspoons - 100 pieces

Tips

Plan drinks by time, not just by guest count: allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then review the programme and weather before buying more. Chill part of the supply in advance and keep the rest in coolers or ice containers.
For shared food, match serving equipment to the menu. Prepare at least one serving spoon or set of tongs per dish, and keep separate cutting boards and knives available for bread, fresh produce and other ingredients.
Count reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery against your registration list, then add a 10% buffer. Festival guests rarely use just one cup, especially when coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are served at different points.
Set up coffee and tea as a separate station with coffee cups, coffee pots and thermos flasks. Prepare enough space for queues and keep spare cups ready so the station does not stop while food is being served.
Check outdoor equipment before the event day: test the active speakers and mixer, inspect party tents, and confirm that tables, chairs and coat racks are included in the delivery. Leave at least 24 hours to replace missing or damaged items.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a Liberation Festival?: Use your registration total and plan the menu by serving rather than by one large estimate. For a programme lasting several hours, prepare a main sandwich or similar portion per guest, plus snacks, and add 10% extra for late registrations and volunteers.
How many drinks do I need for a Liberation Festival?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then around one to two drinks per person for each additional hour, depending on weather and the programme. Include water, soft drinks, coffee and tea as well as alcoholic drinks.
How many reusable cups and plates should I buy?: Start with one cup and one plate per registered guest, then add a 10% buffer. If drinks are served at more than one station, increase the cup allowance or arrange a clear return point so clean cups do not run out.
When should I order groceries and confirm deliveries?: Order packaged groceries and non-food supplies at least 7 days before the festival. Confirm fresh produce, chilled drinks, tents, toilets and sound equipment 24 to 48 hours before setup, then check the delivered quantities when they arrive.

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