How to Set Up a Marquee: Step by Step
Learning how to set up a marquee is easier than it looks — most of our pop-up frames go from bag to standing in about 10–15 minutes with two people. This guide walks you through the whole thing in order: picking the spot, raising the frame, fitting the roof and walls, and locking it down so it stays put. Do it once and you'll have it sorted for every event after.
Before you start: pick the right spot
- Choose level ground — grass or lawn is easiest because you can peg straight in. Concrete, pavers and decking work too, but you'll need leg weights instead of pegs.
- Clear the footprint — measure your frame's size plus a little room around the edges for guy ropes. Check overhead for branches and powerlines.
- Mind the wind direction — face the open side away from the prevailing breeze so gusts don't fill the marquee like a sail.
- Grab a hand — one person can manage a small frame, but two makes raising the roof quick and safe.
Step by step: raising a pop-up marquee
- Unpack and lay it out. Take the folded frame out of the bag and stand it upright in the centre of your spot. Keep the roof canopy and walls aside for now.
- Spread the frame. With a person on each side, pull the legs apart so the concertina frame opens out to roughly its full footprint. Don't fully lock it yet.
- Fit the canopy. While the frame is at about waist height, drape the roof over the top and line up the corners. Secure the velcro tabs or ties underneath at each leg.
- Push the frame out fully. Extend the roof bracing arms until they click locked. The canopy should pull tight and flat.
- Raise the legs. Press the spring buttons on each leg and slide them up to your chosen height, one leg at a time, until they lock.
- Attach the side walls. Clip or velcro the removable walls to the frame as needed — leave them off for an open look, or zip them on for shade, privacy or weather.
- Anchor it down. Peg the legs and tension the guy ropes on grass, or add leg weights on hard ground. Never leave a marquee standing unanchored.
Anchoring is the step people skip and regret. On grass, drive a peg through each leg plate and run the guy ropes out at an angle, then tension them evenly. On concrete or pavers where you can't peg, sit a weight on every leg — sandbags, water weights or a couple of pavers per corner all work. The taller the frame and the gustier the day, the more weight each leg needs.
How long it takes & who's needed
| Marquee | Coverage | People | Rough setup time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3×6 marquee | 18m² | 2 | ~10–15 min |
| 3×9 marquee | 27m² | 2 | ~15–20 min |
The bigger the frame, the more reach there is when fitting the roof — which is the main reason a second pair of hands speeds things up. The mechanism is the same either way: spread, fit the roof, push out, raise, anchor.
Which size suits your event?
Setup is the same across our range — the real decision is floor space. The 3×6 marquee covers 18m², comfortably handling about 30 standing, 20 seated, or 12 at dining tables — a great fit for a backyard party or market stall. Step up to the 3×9 marquee at 27m² for around 45 standing, 30 seated, or 18 dining — ideal when you want room for a bar, buffet or dance floor. Not sure? Run the numbers in our marquee size calculator, or browse the full marquee range here.
Packing it down
Tear-down is the reverse: drop the leg heights, release the bracing arms, unclip the canopy and walls, and fold the frame back together. Make sure everything is fully dry before bagging it — packing a damp canopy is the fastest way to get mildew. A quick wipe and a dry storage spot will keep your marquee looking new for years.
Ready to get one?
The 3×6 and 3×9 marquees both come with the frame, roof, removable walls, pegs and ropes — everything you need for the setup above. Order online and it's dispatched in ~2 days with free delivery Australia-wide. Got a question about setup or sizing before you buy? Email us at support@brisbanemarqueesales.com.au and we'll point you to the right fit.