Booking Special Events in Parks & Recreation Centres
If your gathering or event includes:
- the sale or service of alcohol;
- serving food to the public;
- amplified sound over 85 decibels;
- structures or other more complicated elements;
your booking is a special event. Large, significant or complicated events that involve multiple City divisions may need the support and expertise of the City’s Special Event Support.
If your event doesn’t include any of the above, you can book one-time use of facilities. This includes photo shoots, meetings, kitchen, fire pit, BBQ or oven.
How to Apply
- Fill out the Special Event Application City Parklands application (this includes booking Mel Lastman Square)
- Once you’ve filled out the application,
- Mail it to: City Hall
Permits, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
100 Queen St. W., Main Floor East Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 - or fax it to: 416-392-1551
- Mail it to: City Hall
Application Timelines
Renewal/Annual
- Season: April to October
- Deadline to submit: January 18, 2019
- Permit issued: March – October, dependent on event date
New Events
New event requests will be considered as early as February 4, 2019 and up to 8 weeks prior to an event date.
Keep in Mind
- If you are organizing a major event on City property, Event Support can assist.
- During an election year, all events in the City of Toronto facilities are required to be non-partisan. Events will not be permitted to display and or hand out any political and/or campaign material(s) during events. This policy applies to all three orders of government.
To book a facility for an indoor event, please go to the facility listing and contact them directly. They’ll be able to assist you with the permit. Different deadlines/timelines may apply.
How to Apply
- Fill out the Special Event Application City Parklands application.
- Once you’ve filled out the application,
- Mail it to: City Hall
Permits, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
100 Queen St. W., Main Floor East Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 - or fax it to: 416-392-1551
- Mail it to: City Hall
Application timelines
- Season: May to October
- Application Deadline: January
- Permit Issued: March
Pre-approved Locations
Pre-approval speeds up the application process, but any park may be considered for Commercial Special Events:
- Roundhouse Park
- HTO Park
- Sherbourne Commons
- Sugar Beach
- Ferry Docks
- Toronto Island-Olympic Park
- Ashbridges Bay Park
- Olympic Park
- Woodbine Park
- Guild Inn Gardens
Rates
*Rates identified are daily permit rates
| Event | Attendance | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate | 0-4500 | $1,983.00 |
| Festival/ Performances | 0-4500 | $3,965.99 |
| Promotions | 0-4500 | $3,888.22 |
| Sampling Weekday | 0-4500 | $944.28 |
| Sampling Weekend | 0-4500 | $1,110.92 |
| Event | Attendance | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate | 0-4500 | $5,948.98 |
| Festival/ Performances | 0-4500 | $7,931.98 |
| Promotions | 0-4500 | $3,888.22 |
| Sampling Weekday | 0-4500 | $944.28 |
| Sampling Weekend | 0-4500 | $1,110.92 |
| Event | Attendance | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate | 4501-10,000 | $7,931.98 |
| Festival/ Performances | 4501-10,000 | $7,931.98 |
| Promotions | 4501-10,000 | $3,888.22 |
| Sampling Weekday | 4501-10,000 | $944.28 |
| Sampling Weekend | 4501-10,000 | $1,110.92 |
| Event | Attendance | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate | 4501-10,000 | $9,914.96 |
| Festival/ Performances | 4501-10,000 | $11,897.96 |
| Promotions | 4501-10,000 | $3,888.22 |
| Sampling Weekday | 4501-10,000 | $944.28 |
| Sampling Weekend | 4501-10,000 | $1,110.92 |
| Event | Attendance | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate | > 10,000 | $5,948.98 |
| Festival/ Performances | > 10,000 | $7,931.98 |
| Promotions | > 10,000 | $3,888.22 |
| Sampling Weekday | > 10,000 | $944.28 |
| Sampling Weekend | > 10,000 | $1,110.92 |
| Event | Attendance | Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| Promotions | < 4,500 | $3,888.22 |
| Sampling Weekday | < 4,500 | $944.28 |
| Sampling Weekend | < 4,500 | $1,110.92 |
To hold a special event in any one of our City of Toronto parklands your organization is required to be a registered non-profit organization. Your group will be required to provide the City of Toronto with your charitable donation number or ‘letters of patent’ showing your registered non-profit status.
The event itself is required to be open to the public, non-profit; non-promotional. The purpose of your event cannot be for profit or promotion. Events are also not permitted to be private.
An event is deemed a special event irrespective of anticipated attendance if one or more of the following is true:
- The event will be selling or serving food to the public.
- The event will be using sound amplification (speakers, megaphone).
- The event will require the construction /installation of tents or stages.
- The event will be serving or selling alcohol.
- The event will use a hot air balloon.
- The event will have amusement type rides and games ie. bouncing castle.
- The event is accepting donations, fundraising, running a lottery, draw or raffle.
- Fireworks.
- The use of generator(s) in the park.
Note 1: For any one of the above-listed items, insurance is a requirement and is mandatory.
Note 2: Special Events are not considered an “outdoor social gathering” (e.g. birthday party in a park). Please contact Customer Service for “outdoor social gatherings” at 416-392-8188.
