Magic Show Shopping List

A magic show needs more than the magician’s props. You also need a clear performance area, reliable sound, safe cable management, suitable lighting, and enough seating for the audience. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from spare batteries and extension cords to coat racks and waste bins. Check the magician’s technical requirements before buying or borrowing equipment, then test everything in the venue at least one day before the show.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 110
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Mixer
Microphone standsqty 2
Audio cablesqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 10
Laptop
Presentation remote
Tripodsqty 2
Magic table
Storage cratesqty 4
Flashlightsqty 4
Batteriesqty 24

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 4
Mood lightingqty 4
Light standsqty 2
Spare flashlightsqty 6

Decorations

Backdrop
Balloon archesqty 2
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 12
Themed postersqty 10
Wayfinding signsqty 8
Adhesive stripsqty 4

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 120
Cake platesqty 120
Drinking glassesqty 140
Coffee cupsqty 80
Tea glassesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
traysqty 8
Serving jugsqty 6
Hot drink urnsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Semi-skimmed coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- 7UP - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 5 kilograms
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Mini cookies - 8 packs
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Mini muffins - 120 pieces
- Mini croissants - 100 pieces
- Mini cheese rolls - 100 pieces
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Herbed cream cheese - 4 trays
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Crackers - 12 packs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian spread - 12 tubs
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 6 kilograms
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 2 tubs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Tea filters - 1 pack
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes

Tips

Count chairs and bar stools against your confirmed visitor list, then add a small buffer for late registrations or guests who need a different seat. Keep clear access routes between rows and the performance area.
Plan the sound setup before the event. Allow time to test the active speakers, wireless microphones, mixer, microphone stands, laptop, presentation remote, and every audio cable together rather than checking each item separately.
Bring more power and cable-management equipment than the room appears to need. Extension cords, power strips, cable mats, and spare batteries prevent a short cable or dead battery from stopping the show.
Check the lighting from the audience’s seats, not only from the stage. LED spotlights, light stands, mood lighting, and spare flashlights should illuminate the magician without shining directly into the audience’s eyes.
Buy or prepare practical arrival and cleanup items early. Coat racks, waste bins, tablecloths, storage crates, and signage materials are often forgotten because attention stays on the magic table and backdrop.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a magic show?: At minimum, confirm the magician’s requirements for a magic table, storage crates, lighting, and any special props. For a venue show, also prepare sound equipment, microphones, cables, power strips, and seating for the full audience.
How many chairs do I need for a magic show?: Prepare one chair per registered seated guest, then keep about 5% extra capacity if the room allows it. For 100 expected guests, that means planning for roughly 105 chairs rather than exactly 100.
How many microphones are needed for a magic show?: One wireless microphone is usually enough for a solo magician, but confirm this with the performer before shopping. If an assistant, presenter, or audience participant will also speak, plan for a second microphone and test both through the mixer.
When should I buy supplies for a magic show?: Buy or reserve the non-perishable equipment and decorations at least 7 days before the show. Check batteries, cables, lighting, seating, and the magician’s props again 24 hours before doors open.

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