What you need for a Sinterklaas parade
A Sinterklaas parade needs more than costumes and music. You will need supplies for the route, volunteers, traffic control and the reception afterwards, especially if people gather for coffee and cake. Use the guest count and volunteer schedule to calculate cups, seating and refreshments. Arrange power, lighting and weather protection early; these are often forgotten until the week of the parade.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 2
- Folding tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 80
- Folding benchesqty 6
- Drink tablesqty 3
- Coat racksqty 2
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 150
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Cake platesqty 100
- Cutlery setsqty 100
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Pouring jugsqty 8
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Coolersqty 4
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Knivesqty 8
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- traysqty 6
Equipment
- Portable speakersqty 2
- Microphonesqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 4
- Power banksqty 4
- Route signsqty 12
- Crowd barriersqty 20
- Traffic conesqty 20
- Walkie-talkiesqty 8
- Megaphoneqty 2
- First aid kit
- Flashlightsqty 6
- Clipboardsqty 6
- Markersqty 12
- Scissorsqty 6
- Duct tapeqty 6
- Ropeqty 4
- Staplersqty 2
Lighting
- LED lampsqty 6
- Light Stripsqty 4
Decorations
- Sinterklaas flagsqty 20
- Pieten balloonsqty 100
- Buntingqty 12
- Balloon pumpqty 2
- Photo frame
- Red carpet
- Gift bagsqty 80
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Pepernoten - 12 bags
- Speculaas cookies - 12 bags
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Mini marshmallows - 4 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 crates
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast - 3 kilo
- Vegetarian spreads - 12 tubs
- White casinobread - 12 loaves
- Brown casino bread - 12 loaves
- Mini sandwiches - 150 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper cups for hot drinks - 200 pieces
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Sugar packets - 300 pieces
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
Tips
- For the reception, plan at least 2 reusable cups per attendee if people may have both a hot and a cold drink. Add coffee cups, cake plates and cutlery based on the final registration list, plus about 10% extra.
- Set up one drink table for every 40 to 50 guests so queues stay manageable. Keep pouring jugs, serving platters and trays at the tables instead of carrying everything from the kitchen.
- Prepare the route equipment before parade day: route signs, Sinterklaas flags and bunting should be packed by location. Bring portable speakers, microphones and power banks as backups if the route is longer than the available cable reach.
- Check the power plan at least 7 days beforehand. Count coffee machines, kettles, speakers and LED lamps, then pack enough extension cords and power strips without creating cables across walking routes.
- Provide a coat rack and seating at the reception venue before guests arrive. Party tents, folding tables, chairs and benches are easy to overlook when the weather forecast changes, so confirm them after the final forecast check.
Frequently asked questions
- What do I need to buy for a Sinterklaas parade?
- Plan supplies for the route and reception: flags, bunting, balloons, lighting, sound equipment, tables, seating, cups, coffee service and cake service. The exact quantities depend on the final participant list and the number of volunteers.
- How many cups do I need for a Sinterklaas parade?
- Allow 2 cups per attendee for a reception with hot and cold drinks, then add 10% spare stock. For 100 guests, that means at least 220 reusable cups or a mix of reusable and coffee cups.
- When should I arrange equipment for a Sinterklaas parade?
- Confirm tents, tables, chairs, sound equipment and power supplies at least 2 weeks before the parade. Recheck the inventory 7 days before the event, when the route, volunteer schedule and weather plan are final.
- How much seating is needed after a Sinterklaas parade?
- Provide seats for around 60% of reception guests if some people will stand or move around. For 100 attendees, prepare about 60 chairs or equivalent bench seating, plus tables and a coat rack.
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