Liberation Festival shopping list

A Liberation Festival needs more than drinks and snacks. You will also need serving ware, cooling equipment, seating, shelter, and reliable sound gear for the programme and performers. Plan quantities around your guest count, then add a small buffer for breakages, spills, and late arrivals. This list is especially useful during the final week, when deliveries, chilled drinks, power access, and disposable or reusable service items are easiest to overlook.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Beer tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 10
Bar stoolsqty 20
Stage sectionsqty 8
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 700
Platesqty 600
Dessert platesqty 300
Forksqty 600
Knivesqty 400
Spoonsqty 300
Serving spoonsqty 20
Small bowlsqty 30

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Serving plattersqty 30
Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Beer tapsqty 4
Ice packsqty 40

Equipment

Active speakersqty 4
Mixer
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Microphone standsqty 3
DI boxesqty 2
Audio cablesqty 12
Cable reelsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 12
Cable matsqty 12
Megaphonesqty 2

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 10
Emergency lightsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Dutch flagsqty 20
Liberation postersqty 30
Balloonsqty 300
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tableclothsqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 8
Chalk markersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 20
Hand broomsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Hand soap dispensersqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Cola - 40 bottles
- Cola Zero - 30 bottles
- Soda - 25 bottles
- Ice tea - 25 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 15 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 80 bottles
- Spa Rood - 30 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 6 crates
- Beer - 20 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Prosecco - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 30 bags
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Limes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mini cucumbers - 6 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Carrots - 6 kilos
- Paprika chips - 20 bags
- Plain chips - 20 bags
- Tortilla chips - 15 bags
- Snack mix - 12 bags
- Peanuts - 8 kilos
- Popcorn - 10 bags
- Cheese cubes - 12 kilos
- Olives - 6 jars
- Hummus - 6 kilos
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 300 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Unsalted butter - 3 kilo
- Young cheese - 8 kilos
- Aged cheese - 6 kilos
- Back ham - 5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 5 kilos
- Egg salad - 4 kilo
- Herb cream cheese - 4 kilos
- Iceberg lettuce - 20 pieces
- Tomatoes - 8 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 kilos
- Red onions - 3 kilos
- Potato salad - 15 kilos
- Pasta salad - 15 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 10 kilo
- Vegetarian wraps - 200 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 200 pieces
- Falafel - 8 kg
- Vegan burgers - 100 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 250 pieces
- Hamburgers - 250 pieces
- Vegan cheese - 3 kilos
- Barbecue sauce - 4 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Satay sauce - 4 jars
- Herb mix - 10 sachets
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Pepper - 500 grams
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Napkins - 3000 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 6 rolls
- Cling film - 6 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 6 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 6 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 12 bottles
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 20 pairs
- Aluminum trays - 100 pieces
- Diet-friendly cookies - 10 packs

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person per hour. Buy extra ice packs and make sure coolers can hold the drinks you plan to serve.
Count one plate, fork, knife, and cup per guest, then add at least 10% spare. For a buffet, include serving spoons, serving platters, and small bowls rather than expecting guests to share tableware.
Match seating to the programme: provide a chair for roughly 60–70% of guests if people will stand near the stage, and use beer tables or high tables to reduce pressure on chairs.
Check the site and power outlets before buying or collecting sound equipment. Active speakers, a mixer, microphones, stands, and DI boxes may need separate power points and protected cable routes.
Do the final shopping and equipment check no later than the day before. Chill drinks overnight, keep backup non-perishable snacks available, and check that tents, barriers, tables, and chairs are actually on site before setup starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Liberation Festival?: For drinks, plan on two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for each following hour. For food, use your confirmed guest count and add around 10% for seconds, volunteers, and unexpected arrivals.
How many cups, plates and cutlery items should I buy?: Prepare one complete place setting per expected guest, plus at least 10% spare. If food is served in several rounds, increase the cup supply or arrange a clear washing and collection point.
When should I buy the drinks and ice for a Liberation Festival?: Buy non-perishable drinks and supplies several days ahead, then chill drinks overnight before the festival. Get fresh ice or frozen ice packs on the day itself, ideally shortly before the coolers are loaded.
What equipment do I need for festival music and performers?: Allow for active speakers, a mixer, wireless microphones, microphone stands, and DI boxes, with suitable power access and cables. Test every microphone and speaker at least two hours before guests arrive, rather than waiting for the programme to start.

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