Festival stall ideas
Festival stall ideas include food and drink, festival clothing and accessories, glitter and face art, camping and weather gear, merchandise and phone chargers. Festivals pick traders by application, and organisers ask for insurance, safety paperwork and product details.
Ideas that suit festival crowds
- Food and drink to eat on the move.
- Festival clothing, bucket hats, ponchos and sunglasses.
- Camping and weather gear, such as ponchos and waterproofs.
- Glitter, face art and temporary body art, subject to checks.
- Phone charging and festival essentials.
- Music merchandise, prints and band items.
- Handmade jewellery and accessories.
- Soft drinks, ice and refreshments.
Festival crowds spend in bursts, so quick, simple items do well. Stock that suits a camping setting, such as ponchos and snacks, can sell steadily through the day.
Pick two or three lines that fit the festival theme and mood, and make sure you can restock them quickly if the crowd builds.
How festivals choose traders
Organisers choose traders to fit the audience and avoid too many similar stalls. You usually apply with photographs, a product list, your insurance and risk assessment. The guide to trading at festivals and events explains what organisers commonly ask for.
Many festivals want a distinctive look and a fair price for visitors. Show what makes your stall different from others on the site, and keep your application tidy and complete.
Rules by product type
Food sellers register their food business with the local council, and prepacked food has labelling rules. Alcohol needs the right permissions, covered in selling alcohol at events. Cosmetic products, including glitter products applied to skin, fall under cosmetic rules, so ask Trading Standards about your product. Many festivals have their own rules on gas, generators and fire safety, so check these with the organiser.
Ask the organiser about trading hours, restocking windows and rules on noise, music or amplification at the pitch. Some festivals also set rules on single-use plastics or packaging, so ask what applies.
Keep copies of your insurance, risk assessment and any registration details together in one folder, ready for a site manager who asks to see them.
Power, gas and safety
Festival pitches often have limited power. Read gas and electrical safety for traders and fire safety for stalls and gazebos, and ask the organiser what is provided on site.
Ask whether the site supplies a power point or a generator, and whether you may bring your own. Many sites restrict generators and gas, so check before you buy equipment for the event.
Plan for the field
Fields mean mud, wind and long hours. A gazebo with weights, ground sheets and a way to keep stock dry help you trade through changeable weather. Read gazebo weights and wind safety before you travel, and keep the outdoor event checklist handy.
Check load-in times and vehicle rules before you travel, because many sites restrict vehicle movement during opening hours. Pack a trolley or sack truck for stock and weights.
Payments and signal
Busy festival sites can have patchy mobile coverage, so ask the organiser about connectivity and carry a backup. See what to do when the signal drops.
Plan staffing for long hours. Two people allow breaks and help with peaks, and a clear plan for restocking keeps the stall working when the queue builds.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a stall at a festival?
Apply through the organiser's trader page, with photographs, a product list and your insurance. Apply early, as many festivals select traders well ahead.
Do festival organisers charge a fee or a percentage?
It varies. Some charge a pitch fee, some take a share of takings and some do both. Ask before you commit.
What do I need to sell food at a festival?
Register your food business with your local council and follow the labelling and allergen rules. Organisers may also ask for a hygiene rating and safety documents.
Marquees for larger events
Race meetings and large shows often call for more cover than a single gazebo. Gala Tent makes modular marquees for festivals and events.
Useful pages on our sister sites
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent. These pages from Gala Tent and the wider Gala group go further on the kit, branding and payments covered here.
Where to check the rules
Rules vary by council and by event. Confirm requirements with the organiser and the relevant authority before you act.