What You Need for a Sinterklaas Parade

A Sinterklaas parade needs more than costumes and sweets. You will need route signs, sound equipment, power supplies, refreshments, gift-bag materials and practical items for the reception venue. Plan quantities around the number of children, volunteers and parade stops, then add a small reserve for lost labels, wet weather and last-minute registrations. This list helps you shop and pack without overlooking the items that are often arranged too late.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 80
High tablesqty 6
Gift tablesqty 3
Clothes racksqty 2
Storage cratesqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2
Music player
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphonesqty 2
Camera
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 20
Pieten balloonsqty 100
Balloon archesqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Welcome banner
Route arrowsqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 4
Balloon weightsqty 8
Ropeqty 2
Cable tiesqty 200
Gaffer tapeqty 4
Chimney backdrop
Photo frame

Costumes

Sinterklaas costume
Piet costumesqty 4
Saint Nicholas mitre
Piet hatsqty 4
Sinterklaas beard
Piet wigsqty 4
Sinterklaas staff
Pieten glovesqty 4

Gifts

Gift bagsqty 100
Shoe giftsqty 100
Gift tagsqty 110
Wrapping paperqty 10
Gift ribbonqty 6
Tapeqty 6
Sinterklaas stickersqty 200

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Coffee spoonsqty 40

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Oven mittsqty 4
Ice packsqty 20
Food containersqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8
Battery lightingqty 6

Safety

Traffic barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 20
Safety vestsqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6

Registration

Registration formsqty 120
Name labelsqty 120
Wristbandsqty 120
Pensqty 20
Clipboardsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Trash grabbersqty 4
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Microfiber clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 120 pieces
- Mini croissants - 120 pieces
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Sweet bread rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Cream cheese - 2 kilo
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Chocolate sprinkles - 3 packs
- Chocolate spread - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Spiced cookies - 12 kilos
- Spiced nuts - 10 kilos
- Chocolate spiced nuts - 6 kilo
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Filled speculaas - 6 pieces
- Marzipan - 3 kilos
- Marshmallows - 4 kilos
- Allergy-free spiced cookies - 3 kilo
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Salted breadsticks - 6 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper plates - 150
- Paper snack cups - 150 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Table runners - 12 pieces
- Coffee cups - 100 pieces
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Cloves - 2 jars
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Chocolate bars - 120 pieces
- Mini cupcakes - 120 pieces

Tips

Prepare one gift bag for every registered child, plus 5–10% extra. Keep spare labels and name tags with the bags so gifts can still be sorted when a registration changes.
For a moving parade, plan one portable speaker or megaphone for each busy section and at least two walkie-talkies for route coordination. Bring spare batteries or power banks rather than relying on one charging point.
Buy route arrows, rope and cable ties before the final week. Allow roughly 10–20 metres of rope for each controlled area and enough arrows to mark every turn clearly in both directions.
Pack drinks for the parade team separately from the reception supplies. A practical starting point is two drinks per volunteer for a half-day event, with thermos flasks for hot drinks and coolers for anything that must stay cold.
Have a weather backup ready at least 48 hours before the parade. Party tents, tablecloths, storage crates and waterproof covers are easy to forget when the forecast changes after the shopping is finished.

Frequently asked questions

How many gift bags do I need for a Sinterklaas parade?: Prepare one bag per registered child and add 5–10% extra. For 100 children, that means 105–110 bags, each with a clear name label.
How much food and drink should I buy for the parade?: For a reception lasting two hours, allow about two drinks per guest for the first hour and one per guest for the second. Buy food based on confirmed registrations, then add 5–10% for late arrivals and volunteers.
What sound equipment is needed for a Sinterklaas parade?: Plan at least one portable speaker or megaphone for each major gathering point, plus a music player, extension cords and power banks. Test the full setup at least 24 hours before the event.
When should I buy decorations and route supplies?: Buy flags, balloons, banners, route arrows, rope and cable ties at least one week in advance. Assemble and check them 1–2 days before the parade so missing or damaged items can still be replaced.

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