Outdoor cinema shopping list

An outdoor cinema needs more than a projector and a film. You need a reliable power setup, weather protection, safe cable routing, comfortable seating and enough lighting for arrivals and pack-down. Plan drinks and snacks around your audience size, then add serving equipment that can cope with people moving around in the dark. This shopping list helps you check the practical items before suppliers arrive and before the weather decision is made.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 110
Picnic blanketsqty 25
Tablesqty 8
Party tentsqty 2
Folding table for the entrance
Folding catering tableqty 2

Equipment

Outdoor projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Laptop for film
HDMI cableqty 2
Spare HDMI cable
Power stripsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 5
Cable traysqty 12
Spare batteriesqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 12
Battery lightsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable wine glassesqty 30
Snack bowlsqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6

Kitchen

Drink dispensersqty 3
Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Thermos flasksqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Projection screen decorationqty 4
Directional signsqty 6
Program postersqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Broomqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Mopqty 3
Gaffer tapeqty 6
Work glovesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 20 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted popcorn - 10 bags
- Sweet popcorn - 10 bags
- Pretzels - 6 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Mini cucumbers - 6 tubs
- Carrots - 6 bags
- Grapes - 6 packs
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Pita breads - 50 pieces
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian spread - 8 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Nitrile gloves - 2 boxes
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan at least one seat or picnic blanket space per registered guest, plus a few extra chairs for late arrivals and anyone who cannot sit on the ground. Keep a clear route between the entrance, seating area and screen.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers with ice packs and keep thermos flasks available for hot drinks.
Treat the projection setup as a complete system: check the outdoor projector, screen, laptop, HDMI cable, spare HDMI cable, speakers, mixer and power strips together. Test the film and subtitles from the actual laptop before the audience arrives.
Buy enough extension cords and cable trays to reach every powered device without cables crossing walkways. Cover or route every cable before guests enter; spare batteries are useful for microphones, lanterns and other battery-powered equipment.
Do not leave lighting and weather cover until the day itself. String lights, LED lanterns or battery lights help guests find seats, while party tents can protect the entrance, catering table and equipment from light rain; confirm the forecast and your weather decision deadline in advance.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for an outdoor cinema screening?: You need an outdoor projector, projection screen, laptop with the film, HDMI cables, speakers, a mixer, power strips, extension cords and cable trays. Also plan seating, lighting, drinks, snacks and weather cover for the full audience.
How many chairs and blankets do I need for an outdoor movie?: Provide one chair or blanket space per registered guest, then add roughly 5 to 10% extra seating for late arrivals and accessibility needs. Keep some chairs available even if most guests are expected to bring or use picnic blankets.
How much food and drink should I buy for an outdoor cinema?: For drinks, allow two to three per person in the first hour and around one per person for every later hour. For snacks, prepare at least two portions per person for a short film and three or more for a longer evening, with extra options based on collected dietary requirements.
How early should I set up an outdoor cinema?: Start the technical setup at least 3 hours before the screening, allowing time to connect power, position the screen and projector, test the film and subtitles, and check the sound. Finish seating, lighting, drinks and cable safety at least 30 minutes before guests arrive.

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