What you need for a Sinterklaas parade

A Sinterklaas parade needs more than costumes and gifts. You need a clear route setup, weather-ready shelter, crowd control, serving supplies and working audio for announcements and music. Use the expected number of children and adults to calculate drinks, cups, chairs and gift packaging. Arrange hired equipment and printed signs early, especially if the parade takes place outdoors. This list helps you check the items people most often forget before the first visitors arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 40
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 2
Clothes racksqty 3
Crowd control barriersqty 24
Traffic conesqty 20
Waste binsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 120
Tea glassesqty 80
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 15
Pitchersqty 6

Decorations

Sinterklaas flagsqty 12
Pieten balloonsqty 100
Balloon ribbonqty 4
Buntingqty 10
Plastic candy bagsqty 8
Wrapping paper rollsqty 12
Name badgesqty 150
Directional signsqty 20
Directional signsqty 12

Equipment

Battery-powered speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 5
Power banksqty 6
Coolersqty 5
Thermos flasksqty 8
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 3
Party tent weightsqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cooling packsqty 20
Corkscrewsqty 2
Serving traysqty 8

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning cart

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 5 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 3 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 liters
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 8 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 8 crates
- Spa Red - 3 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Ice cubes - 15 bags
- Spiced cookies - 12 kilos
- Spiced nuts - 10 kilos
- Filled speculaas - 6 pieces
- Spiced cookies - 8 packs
- Mini stroopwafels - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Cheese and onion chips - 4 bags
- Salty pretzels - 4 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Young matured cheese - 3 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilo
- Ham slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 8 tubs
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White rolls - 120 pieces
- Whole grain buns - 80 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper tablecloths - 15 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Pedal bin liners - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Tissues - 12 packs
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Face paint wipes - 6 packs
- Makeup remover - 3 bottles
- Cotton swabs - 3 boxes
- Cleaning vinegar - 2 bottles
- Matches - 2 boxes
- AA batteries - 24 pieces
- AAA batteries - 24 pieces
- Colored pencils - 10 boxes
- Coloring pages - 250 pieces
- Stickers - 10 sheets
- Craft paper - 10 packs
- Glue sticks - 20 pieces
- Safety pins - 2 boxes

Tips

Plan one reusable cup per expected guest, plus at least 10% extra for replacements. Add coffee cups, tea glasses, plates and cutlery only if you are serving hot drinks or food at the information point.
Bring two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one additional drink per person for each following hour. Chill the drinks in advance and keep pitchers ready for serving.
Prepare one directional sign for every major turn, entrance and waiting area on the route. Pack spare signs, name badges and markers because signs are easily moved or damaged outdoors.
Allow at least one crowd-control barrier or traffic cone for each point where people could enter the route or cross near the parade. Keep extra barriers at the information point for last-minute changes.
Set up the sound check before guests arrive, not when Sint is due. Test every wireless microphone, speaker, stand, extension cord and power strip, and bring batteries or a backup power option for outdoor use.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups do I need for a Sinterklaas parade?: Start with one reusable cup per expected guest and add 10% extra. For 100 guests, prepare at least 110 cups, with separate coffee cups and tea glasses if both are served.
How many drinks should I buy for a Sinterklaas parade?: Buy two to three drinks per person for the first hour. For a two-hour parade, allow roughly three to four drinks per person, adjusting for cold weather, children and the availability of hot drinks.
How many directional signs are needed for a parade route?: Use one sign at every entrance, major turn, waiting area and gift table. For a route with six key points, prepare at least six signs and keep two spare signs for changes or damage.
When should I arrange barriers and sound equipment?: Arrange hired barriers, speakers and microphones at least 1–2 weeks before the parade. Test the complete sound setup on the day before, then repeat a short check at least 60 minutes before arrival.

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