Our Carnival Catering Theme NYC

There’s something timeless about a carnival. The bright colors, the scent of popcorn in the air, the sound of laughter and games—it’s a nostalgic escape that still excites people of all ages. At Susan’s Kitchen Catering and Events, we’ve transformed that feeling into a full-service experience with our Carnival Catering Theme NYC package. From food carts to flavor stations, we bring the carnival to life in your backyard, school, rooftop, or company courtyard.

Whether you’re planning a child’s birthday, a school celebration, a corporate summer bash, or a wedding with a playful twist, the carnival theme offers excitement, energy, and flavor that’s hard to match. And because we design every event around your space, style, and guest list, you get all the fun without the stress. It’s part of our broader approach to Themed Catering in NYC, where imagination meets culinary craft.

What makes carnival catering so popular is its ability to please everyone—from picky eaters to foodies. The variety, presentation, and interactivity of the stations keep people moving, smiling, and coming back for seconds. Here's a full breakdown of what our Carnival Catering NYC package includes, with all the playful details and flavor-packed features that make it special.

Cotton Candy Cart

Our cotton candy cart is a visual and flavorful centerpiece. It comes with the cart, machine, cones, sugar, and (50) servings included. Choose from a full spectrum of nostalgic and unexpected flavors like Banana, Birthday Cake, Bubble Gum, Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Chocolate, Grape, Green Apple, Maple, Lime, Pina Colada, Pink Vanilla, White Citrus, Watermelon, and Strawberry. Guests love watching the fluffy clouds spin live as they choose their flavor.

Popcorn Cart

This old-fashioned popcorn machine is a party essential. We pop fresh corn onsite, served hot with salt and powdered cheese on the side. What really sets our popcorn bar apart is the toppings station. Guests can mix and match with butter, chocolate, cinnamon, sprinkles, melted white or dark chocolate, caramel, chocolate chips, marshmallows, pretzels, cheese seasoning, peanuts, and trail mix. It’s a snack and an activity all in one.

Ice Cream Cart with Individually Wrapped Novelties

For a cool treat that keeps things clean and simple, we offer an ice cream cart filled with individually wrapped novelties. With or without an umbrella setup, the cart includes cups, napkins, and spoons. You choose three from the following options: Ice Cream Sandwiches, Fudge Covered Vanilla Pop, Nutty Cone, Creamsicles, Chipwich, Chocolate Eclair, and Strawberry Shortcake. You can even add a Sundae Topping Bar with rainbow and chocolate sprinkles, syrups, Reese’s Pieces, crushed Oreos, walnuts, whipped cream, and cherries for an upgraded dessert station.

Ice Cream Cart with Hand Scooped Flavors

If you want a more artisanal feel, we also offer hand-scooped ice cream carts. Standard flavors always include Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry. You can add Cookie Dough, Cookies N Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Banana, Banana Fudge, or swirl varieties like Fudge, Raspberry, and Peanut Butter. For seasonal events, ask about Apple Cinnamon, Eggnog, Gingerbread, or Pumpkin Pie flavors. This cart creates a nostalgic ice cream parlor feel with modern convenience.

Hot Dog Options

We offer two fun ways to serve up this NYC street classic. The Table Top Hot Dog Cart is perfect for small spaces. It steams the hot dogs in water and keeps toppings like sauerkraut, chili, and onions warm in built-in compartments. Guests build their dogs with classic sides like mustard, ketchup, and relish, using disposable dog holders and napkins. For a more visual setup, our full-size NYC-Style Hot Dog Carts bring the authentic street cart experience to your event, complete with all-beef dogs and signature toppings.

Bubble Tea Catering

Our bubble tea stand is always a conversation piece. We supply 16 oz cups with dome lids, fat straws, and black tapioca pearls. You choose three flavors from Mango, Honeydew, Green Tea, Strawberry, Passion Fruit, Blue Hawaiian, Lychee, Taro, or Frozen Coffee. This station is attended and fully stocked so guests can sip and enjoy without any hassle. It’s refreshing, colorful, and unique—great for teens, adults, and anyone who wants something fun and different.

Snow Cones Cart

Our snow cone cart includes the machine, flavors, ice, cones, and napkins—ready to go for any size event. Base flavors are Blue Raspberry, Red Berry, and Lemon Lime, but you can request extras like Banana, Orange, Grape, Root Beer, Bubble Gum, or Pineapple in advance. Perfect for hot days and outdoor events, snow cones are always a crowd favorite and add an extra splash of color to your setup.

Pretzel Display Warmer

No carnival is complete without warm, doughy pretzels. Our Pretzel Display Warmer holds a selection of New York gourmet pretzels including everything, garlic parsley, truffle cheddar cheese, and classic plain. Served with deli mustard and a touch of salt, these pretzels offer guests an irresistible savory snack that fits right into the festive feel of your event. The aroma alone draws people in—and keeps them coming back for more.

Best Events for Carnival Catering in NYC

One of the best parts of the Carnival Catering Theme NYC package is how flexible it is. We’ve brought this setup to elementary school end-of-year parties, team-building events for tech companies, church block parties, birthday celebrations, and even weddings that wanted a playful after-party vibe. It’s bright, nostalgic, and low-stress—which makes it a go-to option when the goal is big smiles and full plates. For outdoor events, this theme works seamlessly with our Picnic Theme Catering or the summer-forward Day at the Beach BBQ experience.

Of course, no NYC street party would be complete without a nod to the city itself. Our New York Theme Catering is often layered into carnival-style events, especially for out-of-town guests or company teams looking to spotlight their local pride. The urban energy of classic NYC-style eats blends perfectly with carnival color and charm.

Other Themes That Pair Perfectly with Carnival Style

Looking to elevate the experience or mix in something unexpected? Our Hawaiian Luau Catering NY adds tropical flair with coconut drinks, island décor, and grilled skewers. It’s a great combo with snow cones and bubble tea. For inclusive, colorful celebrations, our LGBTQ+ Catering Theme NYC brings pride, personality, and flavor to the forefront. And if you want to add European elegance, you can’t go wrong with a touch of the French Connection or our Mediterranean-inspired Greek Theme Catering.

Food lovers looking for even more cultural variety can add our Italian Dinner Feast as an evening menu option after a daytime carnival, or explore international flavors through our bold Asian Fusion Theme. For high-energy events with fast service needs, the China Express Theme delivers wok-fired excitement and quick bites to match your flow.

Already loving the idea of popcorn machines and cotton candy? You can expand your snack selection with our standalone Popcorn Machine Catering and Pretzel Machine Catering services for flexible setups or additional stations throughout your venue.

Create Your Carnival with Susan’s Kitchen

Planning a carnival-themed event in New York City has never been easier—or more delicious. With Susan’s Kitchen, you get more than just snacks and food carts. You get a curated experience that’s managed by professionals who understand flow, presentation, and guest satisfaction. Whether you’re going full tilt with cotton candy and snow cones or adding a few fun stations to a corporate mixer, our team will help you bring your vision to life.

Let’s build your custom carnival today. Contact us to learn more, review your guest list, select your favorite features, and start planning something unforgettable.