What you need for a reggae festival

A reggae festival needs more than food and drinks. You also need a practical setup for the bar, audience areas, stage, lighting and backstage spaces. Plan reusable drinking cups, plates, cutlery and serving utensils before shopping, and check that technical equipment includes enough cables, power strips and cable mats. This list helps you prepare the supplies and equipment needed for a comfortable festival day, without leaving essential items until the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 4
Market stallsqty 4
Beer tablesqty 20
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 120
Bar stoolsqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Stage sectionsqty 12
Changing room benchesqty 4

Equipment

PA speakersqty 4
Subwoofersqty 2
Mixing console
Microphonesqty 6
Microphone standsqty 6
DI boxesqty 4
Instrument cablesqty 12
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Generator
Bar cash registersqty 3
Card machinesqty 4
Charging stationsqty 3
Refrigeratorsqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Gas burnersqty 4
Roasting pansqty 4
Slicersqty 2

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 8
String lightsqty 10
Work lightsqty 6
Cable matsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 500
Wine glassesqty 80
Platesqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving utensilsqty 20

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Drink dispensersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Kitchen tongsqty 8
Ice packsqty 40

Decorations

Reggae flagsqty 12
Buntingqty 10
Bamboo matsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 20
Stage drapesqty 4
Balloon archesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 300 bottles
- Spa Rood - 120 bottles
- Cola - 50 bottles
- Coca-Cola Zero - 40 bottles
- Orange soda - 30 bottles
- Ginger ale - 20 bottles
- Tonic - 20 bottles
- Iced tea - 30 bottles
- Mango juice - 20 liters
- Pineapple juice - 20 liters
- Apple juice - 15 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 80 bottles
- Pilsener - 400 bottles
- Radler - 100 bottles
- White wine - 20 bottles
- Rosé - 20 bottles
- Red wine - 12 bottles
- Brown rum - 8 bottles
- Vodka - 4 bottles
- Limes - 8 kilos
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Fresh mint - 20 bunches
- Ginger beer - 30 liter
- Coconut water - 20 liters
- Coffee beans - 4 kilos
- Tea bags - 300 pieces
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 10 liters
- Ice cubes - 80 kilos
- Hamburger buns - 250 pieces
- Vegetarian burger buns - 100 pieces
- Hamburgers - 250 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 100 pieces
- Hot dogs - 200 pcs
- Hot dog buns - 200 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 150 pieces
- Falafel balls - 150 pieces
- Rice - 12 kilo
- Kidney beans - 30 cans
- Corn - 20 cans
- Bell peppers - 8 kilo
- Onions - 8 kilo
- Garlic - 1 kilo
- Tomatoes - 12 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 kilos
- Lettuce - 20 heads
- Potatoes - 25 kilos
- Tortilla chips - 15 kilos
- Paprika chips - 12 kilo
- Plain chips - 12 kilo
- Peanuts - 8 kilos
- Cashews - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 15 kilos
- Pineapples - 10 pieces
- Mangoes - 12 kilo
- Grapes - 10 kilos
- Watermelons - 8 pieces
- Ketchup - 8 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 6 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 6 bottles
- Piri-piri sauce - 4 bottles
- Sambal - 4 jars
- Salsa sauce - 8 jars
- Guacamole - 8 kilo
- Tzatziki - 6 kilos
- Grated cheese - 8 kilos
- Cheddar slices - 250 slices
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Salt - 2 kilos
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Chili powder - 250 grams
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Sunflower oil - 10 liters
- Bread bags - 400 pieces
- Napkins - 1500 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 12 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 10 bottles
- Dish soap - 5 liters
- All-purpose cleaner - 5 liters
- Sponges - 20 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 30 pieces
- Paper straws - 1000 pieces

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 20
Waste binsqty 6
Broom setsqty 6
Litter pickersqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Signage

Entrance signsqty 3
Toilet signsqty 4
First aid signsqty 2
Program postersqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 6
Flashlightsqty 8
Walkie-talkiesqty 12
Safety vestsqty 20
Emergency lighting kitsqty 4

Registration

Wristbandsqty 400
Ticket scannersqty 4
Receipt rollsqty 12
Clipboardsqty 8
Pensqty 40
Name stickersqty 100

Logistics

Roll containersqty 8
Hand trucksqty 3
Storage cratesqty 20
Ratchet strapsqty 12
Tarpaulinsqty 8
Toolboxesqty 3
Cable tiesqty 300
Duct tapeqty 12
Markersqty 12

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one to two drinks per person for each additional hour. Chill the first batch before guests arrive and keep a separate reserve for later.
Count reusable drinking cups at 1.5 to 2 cups per guest if washing or collection is limited. Add clearly marked collection points so cups do not disappear into seating and backstage areas.
Allow at least one extension cord and one power strip for each separate equipment station, then keep spare cables available. Protect every cable crossing with a cable mat before the audience enters.
Set up work lights before sunset, even if LED spotlights and string lights are already installed. Test the stage, bar and access routes separately so staff are not working in dark areas during the festival.
Bring more seating and table space than the bare minimum: provide one table for every service or sales point and keep a few folding chairs available for staff. Reserve clear areas for crowd control barriers, changing room benches and equipment cases.

Frequently asked questions

What drinks do I need for a reggae festival?: For the first hour, plan two to three drinks per person, followed by one to two drinks per person for every extra hour. Buy water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and chill the first supply before opening.
How many reusable cups do I need per festival guest?: Allow 1.5 to 2 reusable drinking cups per guest when cups are collected or washed during the event. If there is no washing point, use the higher figure and add a reserve of about 10%.
How many tables and chairs are needed for a festival?: Start with one table for every bar, food, registration or merchandise point, then add tables for preparation and storage. For seating, plan the required number of folding chairs for your audience and keep at least 5% extra for staff and replacements.
What technical supplies are easy to forget for a reggae festival?: Extension cords, power strips, spare instrument cables, microphone stands, DI boxes and cable mats are commonly missed. Check the setup at least 24 hours before the festival and test every power and audio connection before guests arrive.

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