What you need for a street music festival

A street music festival needs more than instruments and performers. You will be setting up several playing locations along a route, so sound gear, safe power distribution, cable protection and clear signs must be ready before the first band arrives. Allow for weather, artist hospitality and volunteers working in shifts. This shopping list covers the practical supplies used for stages, audience areas, food and drink service, lighting and wayfinding.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 10
Bar stoolsqty 12
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Speakersqty 8
Mixing consolesqty 3
Microphonesqty 8
Microphone standsqty 8
Speaker standsqty 8
DI boxesqty 4
Instrument cablesqty 20
Extension cordsqty 12
Power stripsqty 10
Cable reelsqty 6
Cable matsqty 20
Spare batteriesqty 24

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
String lightsqty 10
Light standsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Festival bannersqty 6
Directional signsqty 12
Program postersqty 30
Sidewalk chalkqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 500
Coffee cupsqty 150
Platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Kettlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Ice packsqty 40
Induction hobsqty 2
Food warmersqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 20
Litter pickersqty 4
Broomsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 30
Hand soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Still water - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 40 bottles
- Cola Zero - 30 bottles
- Orange soda - 20 bottles
- Ice tea - 20 bottles
- Apple juice - 12 cartons
- Orange juice - 12 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 3 kilos
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo
- Sandwich rolls - 250 pieces
- Mini hamburgers - 200 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 50 pieces
- Vegan burgers - 30 pieces
- Hot dogs - 150 pieces
- Vegetarian hot dogs - 30 pieces
- Slices of cheese - 5 kilos
- Hamburger sauce - 6 bottles
- Ketchup - 6 bottles
- Mustard - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Fried onions - 3 kilos
- Pickles - 5 jars
- Tomatoes - 6 kilos
- Lettuce - 10 heads
- Cucumbers - 5 kilos
- Onions - 5 kilo
- Peppers - 4 kilos
- Potato salad - 10 kilos
- Pasta salad - 10 kilos
- Hummus - 4 kilos
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Herb butter - 20 tubs
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Peanuts - 6 kilos
- Olives - 6 jars
- Apples - 10 kilos
- Bananas - 8 kilos
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 120 pieces
- Vegan brownies - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free cookies - 6 packs
- Herbs - 4 pots
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 3 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 150 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 8 packs
- Nitrile gloves - 6 boxes
- Paper straws - 500 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 boxes
- Gas cartridges - 6 pieces

Tips

Prepare one sound and power kit for each performance location, then add spare microphones, batteries and cables. A single missing cable can delay a set when stages are spread along a street.
Measure cable runs before buying extension cords and cable reels. Keep at least one spare reel and use cable mats anywhere leads cross pedestrian routes.
Plan seating and service furniture by zone rather than buying one central set. Party tents, folding tables and chairs are easy to overlook when rain or a waiting area changes the layout.
Count reusable cups, coffee cups, plates and cutlery for the busiest serving period, then add roughly 10% extra. Deliveries and washing take longer when several food points operate at once.
Order directional signs and programme posters early enough to put them up before setup day. Include signs for every stage, toilet area and service point so volunteers are not answering the same route question all afternoon.

Frequently asked questions

What sound equipment do I need for a street music festival?: For each stage, plan speakers, a mixing console, microphones, microphone stands, speaker stands, DI boxes and instrument cables. Add at least one spare microphone and a small reserve of batteries and cables per performance area.
How many reusable cups should I buy for a street music festival?: Start with one cup per expected customer during the busiest service cycle, plus about 10% extra. If 300 drinks may be served before washing begins, prepare at least 330 reusable cups.
How many toilets and waste bins are needed for a street music festival?: The exact number depends on attendance, opening hours and local requirements, so confirm the calculation when you reserve toilets and waste collection. Do this at least several weeks before the festival, not during final setup.
When should I arrange power and cable protection for a street music festival?: Check available power outlets and technical requirements as soon as stage locations are fixed, ideally 4–6 weeks before the event. Buy or reserve extension cords, power strips, cable reels and cable mats before equipment delivery day.

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