What you need for a street music festival

A street music festival needs more than instruments and performers. You will need practical supplies for several locations, including shade, tables, signs, serving ware and reliable audio equipment. This checklist helps you buy and bring the items that are easy to overlook, such as spare cables, power banks, storage boxes and enough reusable glasses. Match quantities to your audience, number of performance points and volunteer team before shopping.

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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
Beer table setsqty 6
Dressing room tablesqty 3
Clothes racksqty 2
Storage boxesqty 10

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Pitchersqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Festival bannersqty 6
Chalkboardsqty 8
Program boardsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10
Floor rugs without stageqty 6

Equipment

Portable speakersqty 4
Mixing consolesqty 2
Microphonesqty 6
Microphone standsqty 6
Speaker standsqty 4
DI boxesqty 4
Instrument cablesqty 12
XLR cablesqty 12
Extension cordsqty 8
Extension cordsqty 10
Power banksqty 6
Charging cable setsqty 4
Cable reelsqty 4
Cable traysqty 20
Cable rampsqty 8
Gaffer tapeqty 8
AA batteriesqty 24
AAA batteriesqty 24

Catering

Thermos flasksqty 8
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 8
Ice coolersqty 4
Serving traysqty 12
Drink dispensersqty 4
Water jugsqty 10
Bottle openersqty 6
Ice packsqty 30
Groceries
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Tea selection - 200 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 200 pieces
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 6 kilogram
- Bananas - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Mandarins - 4 kilogram
- Baby carrots - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Snack mix - 8 bags
- Rice cakes - 8 packs
- Mini crackers - 8 packs
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian wraps - 100 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 4 kilograms
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Muffins - 120 pieces
- Brownies - 100 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan toppings - 6 packages
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Large trash bags - 100 pieces
- Small trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 10 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Ziplock bags - 4 boxes
- Name stickers - 300 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Wristbands - 500 pieces
- Cash register envelopes - 20 pieces
- Small change - 1 set
- Rain ponchos - 50 pieces
- Earplugs - 100 pairs

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Cookie tinsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Litter pickersqty 4
Broom setsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
LED work lightsqty 6
Light standsqty 4

Tips

Plan one information or serving table for each main festival area, plus at least one spare table if volunteers will be checking registrations or handing out wristbands. Bring tablecloths and clear program boards so visitors can find the route quickly.
For drinks, allow two to three servings per person for the first hour, then one serving per person for every additional hour. Chill drinks before the event and bring pitchers, reusable glasses and coffee cups rather than relying on one type of service ware.
Prepare audio equipment separately for every performance location. Count microphones, stands, DI boxes, mixing consoles and speaker stands by location, then add spare XLR cables, instrument cables and extension cords before packing.
Street locations often have limited power and weather protection. Check outlets in advance, pack extension cords and power banks, and keep party tents, storage boxes and floor rugs ready for sudden rain or equipment that must stay off wet ground.
Do not leave signage and performer facilities until the morning of the festival. Have festival banners, bunting, chalkboards, program boards, clothes racks and dressing room tables ready at least one day before setup.

Frequently asked questions

How many reusable glasses do I need for a street music festival?: Plan for at least 2 glasses per expected guest if you have a washing or collection point, and 3 per guest if used glasses cannot be cleaned during the event. Add a 10% buffer for loss and breakage.
How much sound equipment is needed for each street performance area?: Each location normally needs speakers, speaker stands, a mixing console, microphones, microphone stands and the required DI boxes and cables. Prepare the equipment list separately for every location and pack at least one spare XLR cable and extension cord per area.
When should I buy drinks and chill them?: Buy non-perishable drinks and serving supplies at least 3 to 5 days before the festival. Chill drinks the day before, then check stock and ice or cooling capacity again 2 hours before visitors arrive.
What should I bring if the weather changes during the festival?: Have party tents, storage boxes and floor rugs ready before setup, and keep cables and audio equipment raised from the ground. Check the forecast 24 hours before the event and again on the morning itself.

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