Fairground marquees or stalls: which to choose for your event

If you have been planning your company's end-of-year party or an open day, chances are you have already pictured something with a fairground feel: stalls, marquees and the kind of classic games that get a smile without needing any instructions. The real challenge is choosing the format that fits your space, your budget and the number of guests you expect.

In this article we go through the two formats people ask for most —fairground marquees and fairground stalls— and the attractions that pair well with them, so you reach the quote stage knowing exactly what to ask for. You can browse the rest of the options in our games catalogue.

Fairground marquees: what they are and when they fit your event

Fairground marquees are three-by-three-metre structures with the classic red-and-white striped look, set up in a row like a small fairground street. Each marquee holds a different game and its own host, so guests move from one to the next without long queues forming at any single one.

They work well on open ground, in gardens, car parks or warehouses where several units can be lined up together. If your event has outdoor space and you want the games area to be visible from a distance, fairground marquees are the most eye-catching option to mark out the route, and each fairground marquee can also be booked on its own if you only need one or two.

Fairground stalls: what they are and what is included

Fairground stalls feel more intimate: each one comes with garlands, lights and one specific game —ring toss, tin cans, darts and balloons, pellet guns, archery or the frog game— plus three hours of a host who runs the game and hands out prizes.

It is the option that most recalls a real village fair, with the kind of nostalgia that appeals across generations. Fairground stalls for corporate events tend to work best in slightly smaller spaces, where it helps to keep each game clearly contained, and each fairground stall comes with its own decoration so there is no need to add anything else around it.

Marquees or stalls: how to choose for your event

The question is less about which is better and more about which fits what you have in mind. If the goal is to fill a large space with constant activity, marquees add more visual footprint. If you are after a charming corner within a bigger party —a corporate dinner, a family day— stalls bring that traditional fairground feel without taking up as much ground.

A common middle ground is combining both: a few marquees for the most eye-catching games and stalls for the quick-prize ones, so the route has different paces and nobody gets bored waiting their turn. Mixing fairground marquees and stalls is often the easiest way to cover both needs, and choosing between fairground marquees and stalls usually comes down to how much outdoor space you actually have.

• Large outdoor space and you want it to stand out from afar: fairground marquees.
• A charming corner within a bigger event: fairground stalls.
• Want to cover both cases without overthinking it: combine a few of each.

Other fairground attractions you can add

Marquees and stalls do not have to stand alone. The high striker —the classic mallet that sends a column of lights up depending on how hard you swing— always draws a crowd, just like giant bowling, with its inflatable ball and spectacular knockdowns.

For something fresher and funnier, the dunk tank gets a volunteer —ideally someone from management— to end up in the water every time someone hits the target. These are fairground attractions that do not need a marquee of their own and can be placed anywhere along the route, so adding a standalone fairground attraction is the easiest way to extend the route without setting up a whole stall.

Space, staff and set-up: what you need to know

Before deciding how many units to book, it helps to be clear on three things: the square metres available, whether there is a power outlet nearby and how many hours you want the activity to run. Each marquee or stall needs its own clear space around it so queues do not cross with the neighbouring game.

Every marquee and stall arrives set up by our team and with the staff needed to run it throughout the event, so you do not need to worry about explaining the rules or restocking prizes: that is already covered. Setting up marquees and stalls indoors is possible too; if your event is indoors, we check ceiling height and loading access with you before confirming anything, and staffing fairground stalls is always included in the booking.

Branding it with your company

Both marquees and stalls can be dressed in your company colours and logo, and the prizes handed out at each game can be your own branded merchandise instead of the usual fairground stuffed toys. Branding fairground stalls with your company is a simple way to make sure the activity, besides entertaining people, stays linked to your brand throughout the day.

If your space is tighter, mini fairground games —compact stalls that need neither power nor their own staff— can be branded the same way and fit even in a stand aisle. Branded prizes at fairground stalls are just as easy to arrange as at the marquees. Check all the options on our branding page.

Frequently asked questions

How many marquees or stalls do I need for my event?

It depends on the number of guests and how long you want the activity to run: as a rough guide, one marquee or stall per 30-40 people avoids long queues in events lasting several hours.

Do fairground marquees and stalls work indoors?

Yes, as long as there is enough height and space; we check the room's measurements with you before confirming the set-up.

Can we play without electricity?

The high striker and most mini fairground games do not need it, which makes them very flexible for gardens, terraces or marquees without a nearby outlet.

What prizes are handed out at fairground stalls?

Whatever you decide: from your own branded merchandise to stuffed toys and classic fairground prizes, depending on your budget and the type of event.

If you want to set up a full fairground street —or just a couple of standalone attractions— for your next event, tell us the details and we will put together a tailored quote.