What you need for a street music festival

A street music festival needs more than instruments and performers. You’ll need enough seating, weather cover, signage, lighting, cables and power equipment to keep several performance zones running safely. Plan drinks and snacks separately for artists, volunteers and visitors, then chill supplies before doors open. Use this list alongside your setup plan so late deliveries, missing adapters and dark walkways do not slow down the festival.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Stage sectionsqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 6
Dressing room tablesqty 2

Equipment

Mixing consolesqty 2
Active speakersqty 6
Monitor speakersqty 4
Microphonesqty 8
Microphone standsqty 8
DI boxesqty 4
Instrument cablesqty 12
XLR cablesqty 16
Power stripsqty 10
Cable reelsqty 6
Cable traysqty 20
Extension cordsqty 12
Battery lampsqty 12
Music standsqty 6
Guitar stoolsqty 4
Power splittersqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 8
LED work lightsqty 6
Light standsqty 4
Spare batteriesqty 24

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Festival postersqty 20
Directional signsqty 12
Program boardsqty 4
Tableclothsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 350
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 250
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 12
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Ice containersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's Scissorsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Safety

Crowd barriersqty 20
Traffic conesqty 20
Warning tapeqty 4
Fire extinguishersqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Vestsqty 20

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 240 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Coke Zero - 24 bottles
- Orange soda - 12 bottles
- Ice tea - 18 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Beer - 240 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 cans
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Lemons - 3 kilos
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 250 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 10 loaves
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Hummus - 3 kilos
- Herb cream cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 3 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto sauce - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 12 bags
- Salted peanuts - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Mini cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Vegan brownies - 40 pieces
- Herb butter - 2 kilo
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Diet-friendly sandwiches - 40 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan toppings - 3 kilos
- Vegan cheese - 2 kilo
- Gluten-free brownies - 30 pieces
- Bottle openers - 4 pcs
- Matches - 2 boxes
- Kitchen gloves - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add 1 drink per person for each following hour. Keep a separate supply for musicians and volunteers so it does not disappear before the final performance.
Allow at least 1 table per information, registration or refreshment point, plus 2–3 extra tables for dressing-room and supply use. Bring table coverings or weather protection if the forecast is unsettled.
Count every cable before loading: include one microphone stand and one XLR cable per microphone, then pack at least 2 spare instrument or XLR cables for faults. Cable trays, reels and extension cords should cover each performance zone without crossing public walkways.
Use one visible directional sign at every entrance, junction and toilet route, and print extra copies of the program and contact list. Keep at least 10% spare signage because wind, rain or last-minute zone changes can make signs unusable.
Check lighting after sunset, not only during setup. Prepare battery lamps, spare batteries and LED work lights for every cable-heavy area, and keep weather protection ready before the forecast changes.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a street music festival?: For drinks, plan 2–3 per person during the first hour and 1 more per person for each additional hour. Add separate quantities for artists and volunteers, and prepare snacks before the first performance rather than during the changeover.
How many microphones and cables do I need for a street music festival?: Start with the technical requirements from each musician, then match one microphone stand and one XLR cable to every microphone. Pack at least 2 spare cables and enough power strips, splitters and extension cords for each performance zone.
When should I buy supplies for a street music festival?: Order printed materials, signs, decorations and specialist equipment at least 2 weeks before the festival. Buy fresh food and drinks 1–2 days beforehand, then chill drinks on the day before performers and visitors arrive.
What should I pack for bad weather at a street music festival?: Bring party tents or other weather cover for each exposed working area, plus protected tables for equipment and supplies. Check the forecast 24 hours before the event and again on the morning itself so you can set out protection before setup begins.

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