Lighting up the festive season: top power generation tips for Christmas market organisers

Date: 04/12/24

From Manchester's bustling squares to Edinburgh's historic streets, Christmas markets have become a well-loved tradition in towns and cities up and down the country.

Some of the largest, such as Birmingham’s German Christmas Market, pull in an incredible 5.5 million visitors each year who come to enjoy the attractions, browse row upon row of festive wares, and indulge in bratwurst and mulled wine.

But behind the charming gift stalls, ice-skating rinks and dazzling light displays, there's one crucial element that keeps the magic alive: power. Everything that makes the markets the spectacles they are requires a reliable energy supply.

At Central Power Services, we’ve been powering some of the UK’s leading Christmas markets for many years; so we’re well-versed in the unique intricacies of bringing them to life. In this article, our UK Sales Manager, Russell Pritchard, shares our top power tips for organisers aiming to ensure their market runs without a hitch.

1. Accurately assess your power needs

Understanding your total power requirements is the foundation of any successful event. On one hand, you don't want to bring in excessive power capacity – that adds unnecessary costs and complicates logistics. On the other, underestimating can lead to unexpected outages that dim the festive glow. 

Another factor to consider is that markets typically grow busier as Christmas approaches, so it’s important to plan for the highest demand from day one. This ensures that even on the busiest nights, you’ll have the capacity to ensure everything runs smoothly.

2. Strategic generator placement 

Given the sprawling layout of most markets, multiple generators are often necessary. 

Knowing what to place where is a complex task, so it's essential to work with an expert to plan it all out. By mapping out where each generator will be placed and which vendors it will serve – and from there what the total power requirement of that zone will be – you can create the most efficient overall power network possible. 

It's not uncommon for markets to have a number of different generators ranging significantly in size, tailored to the requirements of each sector of the market.

3. Integrate generators while ensuring easy access 

We’re big fans of generators, but know they need to blend into the background to maintain the festive aesthetic at any Christmas market. At the same time, generators also need to be accessible enough for regular refuelling.

The key is to position generators as a central point, surround them with decorative hoardings and then build out stalls around them. Of course, while doing this it’s also essential to ensure they remain safely and easily accessible for maintenance and refuelling. Vehicles will need to reach them on a regular basis.

4. Be precise with refuelling schedules

There are often strict restrictions on the use of bulk fuel tanks in the types of built-up locations that host most Christmas markets. Meanwhile, dense stall layouts and large visitor numbers can make impromptu refuelling a logistical nightmare during opening hours. 

So, a rigorous refuelling plan is critical. Each generator should have enough fuel to last at least an entire day, even on the busiest days, with scheduled top-ups during hours when the market is closed. Get it wrong, and you’ll have a whole section out of action for the rest of the evening. This not only costs the market traders lost revenue, it can also cost the event’s reputation!

5. Make sure you can count on reliable emergency support

Despite the best planning, unforeseen issues can arise. And if a generator develops a fault, it needs to be fixed fast to avoid lengthy closures of a segment of the market.

Partnering with a power supplier that offers 24/7 emergency support is therefore non-negotiable for Christmas markets. At Central Power Services, we pride ourselves on our rapid response teams and commitment to being on-site within hours, ensuring that no part of the market remains in the dark for long.

Creating unforgettable festive experiences

Christmas markets are a highlight of the year for communities across the country. However, they have a significant energy demand and offer little room for error when it comes to power solutions. From installation to ongoing maintenance, operators need everything to run smoothly and with as little disruption as possible. Most importantly, they need peace of mind that everything is in safe hands.

We provide a truly end-to-end solution to all our Christmas market partners. From developing robust power strategies and planning equipment locations to ensuring smooth installation and flawless ongoing performance, organisers count on us every step of the way.

Ready to power up your market? 

If you’re looking for an expert power generation partner for your Christmas market, get in touch. We have the scale and national reach to support Christmas Markets and other seasonal events, whatever the size, right across the nation.

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