Christmas markets and craft fairs need trestle tables for stalls, seating for visitors, outdoor cover, heating, and catering equipment for mulled wine and hot food stands. This guide covers the hire from 10 to 40 stalls.
Christmas markets and craft fairs need trestle tables for stalls, seating for visitors, outdoor cover, heating, and catering equipment for mulled wine and hot food stands. This guide covers the hire from 10 to 40 stalls.
Christmas markets and craft fairs need trestle tables for stalls, chairs for traders, outdoor furniture for visitor seating areas, gazebos for cover, heating for cold evenings, and catering equipment for mulled wine and hot food concessions. This guide covers the hire requirements for events of 10 to 40 stalls.
\n\nThe trestle table is the standard stall table for Christmas markets and craft fairs. A 6ft (183cm) trestle table gives enough surface area for a well-stocked stall. Traders selling smaller items such as jewellery, candles, or cards need one table. Traders with larger displays, such as ceramics, clothing, or gift hampers, often need two tables arranged in an L shape or side by side.
\n\nFor a market of 20 stalls, order 25 to 30 trestle tables to allow for double-table stalls and a catering area. For 30 stalls, 38 to 45 tables. For 40 stalls, 50 to 60 tables.
\n\nStall-holders need chairs to sit behind their table during the event. Allow one or two folding chairs per stall. For 20 stalls, that is 20 to 40 chairs. Folding chairs are the practical choice as they pack down and store in the gaps behind stalls when not in use.
\n\nA seating area for visitors to eat and drink adds dwell time to a Christmas market, which increases sales for food and drink stalls. Outdoor furniture sets with tables and benches work well, as do standard folding tables and chairs for a simpler seating zone.
\n\nFor a market expecting 500 visitors at peak, allow seating for around 10 to 15 per cent of that figure: 50 to 75 seats, or roughly 13 to 19 tables of four. Cluster the seating close to the food and drink concessions so the connection between buying and sitting is clear.
\n\nGazebos provide cover for stalls and for visitor seating areas. In England in November and December, rain is a near-certainty and wind is likely. Traders need cover over their stall, and visitors need somewhere dry to eat and drink.
\n\nExpo Hire stocks gazebos and larger marquee structures suited to outdoor markets. A 3m x 3m gazebo covers one standard stall with a small front display area. A 3m x 6m unit covers two stalls or a reasonable-sized seating area. See the gazebos and marquees page for available sizes and structures.
\n\nPatio heaters make a significant difference to a cold outdoor market. For a visitor seating area, one patio heater per 10 to 15 square metres of covered space is the standard guidance. For a 6m x 6m seating area under a marquee, 3 to 4 patio heaters keep the temperature at a comfortable level without overheating the space.
\n\nGas patio heaters with mushroom-style heads are the most common type for outdoor events. Expo Hire stocks both standard and larger output models. See the patio heater hire page for models and heat output.
\n\nA mulled wine or hot chocolate stall needs an urn for heating and dispensing hot drinks. A 30-litre urn serves around 100 cups at 250ml each, so for a busy market selling 300 to 400 cups over a day, two or three urns in rotation is the right approach.
\n\nHot food stalls need appropriate cooking and holding equipment depending on the menu. A burger or sausage stall needs a large griddle or gas BBQ. A soup stall needs large pots or chafing dishes to hold food at temperature during service. A baked goods stall needs a warming cabinet to keep product fresh through the day.
\n\nExpo Hire stocks gas BBQs and a full range of catering equipment including urns, chafing dishes, and hot holding units. See the catering equipment page for the complete range.
\n\nOutdoor Christmas markets in England are subject to cold temperatures, rain, and short daylight hours. Plan for wind when setting up gazebos and ensure all structures are weighted and pegged securely. Ground cover such as cable mats is outside Expo Hire's range but worth sourcing separately for muddy sites, as wet ground makes visitor areas unpleasant and traders uncomfortable.
\n\nExpo Hire delivers to England and Wales. For delivery charges, minimum order values, and lead times, see the carriage and delivery page.
See also: village fete hire checklist and community event hire guide.
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