The first step in planning any church carnival is establishing a budget and estimating attendance. For most Chicago-area parish festivals, attendance ranges from 200 to 2,000 people over a multi-day event. Your game and attraction rental budget should be roughly 15–25% of your projected gross revenue from ticket sales, food, and donations.



For a single-day festival with 300–500 attendees, a typical rental budget of $800–$1,500 covers 8–12 carnival games and one inflatable attraction. Multi-day festivals with 1,000+ attendees typically budget $2,000–$5,000 for games and inflatables.

Church festivals serve a wide age range — from toddlers to seniors — so game selection needs to be inclusive. We recommend a mix of:



Family-friendly classics: Ring toss, duck pond, ball toss, and fishing games work for all ages and require minimal supervision.



Teen-focused games: Spray N Race, Giant Connect 4, and skill-based games keep older kids and teens engaged.



High-energy attractions: An inflatable obstacle course or bounce house gives kids a physical activity option and draws attention to your festival from a distance.



Browse our full carnival game catalog to see all 77+ available games.

Most Chicago-area municipalities require a special event permit for outdoor festivals, even on church property. Check with your local village or city hall 60–90 days before your event. Common requirements include:



- Special event permit (typically $50–$200)

- Proof of liability insurance (Chicago Carnival Rentals provides certificates of insurance naming your parish as an additional insured)

- Food vendor permits (handled separately by your food vendors)

- Illinois Department of Labor inspection for inflatables (we handle this)



For events in Chicago city limits, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection handles special event permits. Suburban municipalities have their own processes — we can advise based on your location.

90 days out: Set date, secure venue, begin permit applications, establish budget.



60 days out: Book carnival games and inflatables with Chicago Carnival Rentals. Spring and fall dates fill quickly — don't wait.



30 days out: Confirm vendor list, finalize game layout, recruit volunteers for game booths.



1 week out: Confirm delivery time with Chicago Carnival Rentals, brief volunteers on game rules and prize distribution.



Day of: Our crew arrives 2–3 hours before the event for setup. You focus on your guests — we handle everything else.



Start Planning Your Church Carnival →

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