Nathan Phillips Square (NPS) is a vibrant, active space in the heart of the city. Every year, more than 1.8 million visitors attend a variety of community and special events hosted at the Square. Join the ever-growing lineup of exciting activities.
Permit applications for hosting events on NPS open only in October for the following year, and event facilitation requires a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks.
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to have their application considered:
Permits are not issued for:
Date requests are subject to review and space availability, given the number of requests received annually. Dates cannot be guaranteed for every request.
There are no application, permit, or rental fees for use of NPS; however, staff recovery costs, based on the needs of your event design, will apply, as will standard rates for services.
Commercial photography and film shoots require a film permit through the City of Toronto Film Office.
Please note that news outlets, weather reporting and all other forms of ENG (Electronic News Gathering) do not require a permit to film daily news stories. No media vehicles are permitted on NPS. However, there is a designated media lot on the northwest side of NPS. The entrance to the media lot is from Chestnut Street and Armoury Street.
Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the right of public assembly is allowed, and as NPS is a public space, it is frequently used for rallies, demonstrations and protests and do not require a City permit.
For additional questions, email BookingNPS@toronto.ca.
Permits are required to host an event at NPS. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee the use of NPS, as it is frequently oversubscribed and staff cannot accommodate all requests.
Applications are currently closed.
Once staff have reviewed all applications and date requests, you will be contacted and advised on the status of your application by mid-December. Once you are notified and confirm, the requested date is held, and staff will work with you to ensure all required information is provided during the permitting process.
Should all requested date options be unavailable, you will be contacted to discuss possible alternative dates or locations elsewhere in the city you may wish to consider.
Provided a date option is identified, an Event Support Supervisor will send you a Letter of Condition along with a checklist, which will begin the permitting process for your event in 2026. Staff will then work with you to ensure compliance with space regulations based on your event design. Once all details are confirmed, both parties will sign the permit agreement.