What to Buy for a Night Market

A night market needs more than stalls and tables. You’ll need enough lighting for every pitch, safe power distribution, serving equipment, drinks, payment supplies and clear signs. Plan quantities around the number of vendors, visitors and opening hours, then add a small reserve for breakages and last-minute needs. Buy or collect anything that must be chilled, charged or delivered at least one day before the market.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 18
Party tentsqty 4
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Stall blanketsqty 18
Tableclothsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 10
LED lightsqty 12
Battery lanternsqty 8

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8
Cable matsqty 12
Small sound system
Microphone
Payment terminalqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Bowlsqty 60
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Storage binsqty 10
Pliersqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Booth number signsqty 18
Info boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 10
Pavement signsqty 4

Catering

Drink dispensersqty 3
Napkin holdersqty 8
Ice packsqty 20
Cash boxesqty 2
Change boxesqty 2
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Tonic - 4 bottles
- Ginger beer - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Cocktail nuts - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Pretzels - 4 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Muffins - 60 pieces
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wraps - 50 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Hummus wrap filling - 30 portions
- Raw vegetable salad - 30 portions
- Vegetarian deli slices - 2 kilo
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Jam - 3 jars
- Honey - 2 jars
- Allergen labels - 2 rolls
- Straws - 300 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Ice cream spoons - 200 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Food containers - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Compostable bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Scouring sponges - 6 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Disposable hair nets - 100 pieces
- Disposable gloves - 300 pieces
- Cash register receipts - 4 rolls
- Wristbands - 300 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Printer ink - 1 set
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Heavy-duty tape - 6 rolls
- Cable ties - 200 pieces

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizerqty 6
Toilet brushesqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Trash bag holdersqty 10

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 2
Traffic conesqty 12

Office

Name stickersqty 100
Pensqty 20
Tapeqty 6
Cable tiesqty 200
Notepadsqty 6
Cash box

Tips

Plan one well-lit setup for every stall, plus spare battery lanterns for dark corners, entrances and walkways. Test string lights, LED lights and lanterns before vendors arrive.
Count reusable cups, coffee cups, plates, bowls and cutlery by expected servings, then add at least 10% extra. Night markets often use more serving pieces than planned because visitors return for snacks or drinks.
Prepare power by mapping each stall’s equipment before shopping. Use extension cords, power strips and cable mats only after checking the available supply, and keep spare batteries for equipment that cannot be connected safely.
Keep drinks and prepared items cold from delivery until service. Set up coolers before opening and chill drinks several hours in advance; use thermos flasks for hot drinks so queues move faster.
Do not leave payment and information supplies until the event day. Charge the payment terminal, prepare cash and change, and print signs, name badges and wristbands at least one day beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a night market?: Plan for stalls, tables, seating, stall coverings, lighting, power cables, payment equipment, coolers, cups, plates, cutlery and hot-drink equipment. The exact quantity depends on the number of vendors and expected visitors, but add around 10% spare tableware.
How much lighting do I need for a night market?: Provide a dedicated light source for every stall, such as string lights or LED lights, and add battery lanterns for entrances, walkways and service areas. Test everything at least 24 hours before opening and keep spare batteries available.
When should I buy drinks for a night market?: Buy non-perishable drinks and supplies several days in advance. Chill drinks at least 4 hours before opening, and arrange deliveries early enough to inspect and store them before vendors arrive.
How much tableware should I buy for a night market?: Count one cup, plate or bowl and one set of cutlery per planned serving, then add 10% to cover breakages, extra portions and unexpected demand. Keep serving spoons separate from personal cutlery and prepare coffee cups for the full service period.

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