What you need for a Sinterklaas parade

A Sinterklaas parade needs more than costumes and sweets. Plan supplies for the route, the arrival point, volunteers, children and anyone waiting in cold or wet weather. This shopping list covers serving equipment, hot drinks, sound support, decorations and activity materials. Check quantities against your registration total, then add a small reserve for children who arrive without registering. Buy dietary-friendly snacks separately and sort gift packs before parade day.

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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 40
Dressing tablesqty 2
Drink tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 10

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12

Equipment

Battery speakerqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Hot drink urnsqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Walkie-talkiesqty 10
Power banksqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Sinterklaas bannerqty 2
Coloring pagesqty 100
Sinterklaas booksqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Safety

Traffic barriersqty 30
Route signsqty 16
Conesqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 6
First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3

Cleaning

Hand broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Waste binsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Spiced cookies - 15 kg
- Spiced biscuits - 5 kg
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Filled speculaas - 6 packs
- Mini stroopwafels - 6 packs
- Mini muffins - 8 packs
- Chocolate letters - 120 pieces
- Mandarins - 15 kg
- Apples - 10 kg
- Bananas - 8 kg
- Currant buns - 8 bags
- Soft white rolls - 100 pieces
- Mature cheese - 3 kg
- Ham joint - 2 kg
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kg
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Butter - 1 kg
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kg
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Multifruit juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Chocolate milk - 12 liters
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cocoa powder - 2 cans
- Cinnamon - 2 jars
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 10 pieces
- Gluten-free spiced nuts - 3 bags
- Vegan speculaas - 3 bags
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 300 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 20 kg
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Large trash bags - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Labels - 2 packs
- Permanent markers - 12 pieces
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Rope - 4 rolls
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces

Tips

Prepare one children’s gift pack per registered child, then make at least 5 extra packs for late arrivals or damaged packages. Keep the packs together by age or content so volunteers can hand them out quickly.
For a one-hour arrival period, plan roughly 2 hot drinks per adult and 1 child-sized drink per child. Bring extra reusable cups and coffee cups rather than relying on one cup per person.
Pack the sound kit as one clearly labelled set: battery speaker, wireless microphones, microphone stands, extension cords and power strips. Test every microphone and charge power banks the day before.
Use party tents, tables and tablecloths at the arrival location for registration, drinks and gift distribution. Allow about 1 table for every 30–40 guests so queues do not block the route.
Prepare for rain and cold with covered storage for gift packs, coloring pages and Sinterklaas books. Check the forecast 48 hours before the parade and move decorations, LED light strings and electronics into waterproof containers.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drinks do I need for a Sinterklaas parade?: Plan about 2 hot drinks per adult and 1 child-sized drink per child for the first hour. Add diet-friendly snacks based on the registrations, plus roughly 5% extra portions for unexpected guests.
How many gift packs should I buy for a Sinterklaas parade?: Prepare one pack for every registered child and add at least 5 extra packs. Sort the packs before the event and keep them in a dry, clearly marked area near the distribution table.
What equipment is needed for sound at a Sinterklaas parade?: Bring a battery speaker, wireless microphones, microphone stands, extension cords and power strips. Test the full setup at least 24 hours beforehand and charge the speaker and power banks overnight.
When should I buy supplies for a Sinterklaas parade?: Buy non-perishable supplies 1–2 weeks before the parade. Purchase fresh snacks and drinks 1–2 days beforehand, then check the weather and pack a wet-weather reserve 48 hours before the start.

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