How to Host an Outdoor Special Event

An Outdoor Special Event includes road races, block parties, street festivals, parades, walks, and more. Whether the event is free or ticketed, open to the public, or invitation-only, it doesn’t matter — you still have to apply. Some events may include entertainment, games, food, and beverages.

Please note:

• If this is the first time you are holding the event, especially if it is a large event, we encourage you to reach out to your neighborhood liaison in the Office of Neighborhood Services and follow their guidance.
• Anyone approved to hold a special event must follow the City’s rules and regulations. Learn about the rules for hosting a special event.
• After submitting your Outdoor Special Event Application, you may need to apply for additional city permits before your event is officially approved. 

 An Outdoor Special Event in the City of Boston is categorized into three tiers. Each tier has different requirements, deadlines, and processing timelines. Some events may overlap over two tiers, and you should follow the guidelines for the higher tier number. 

We invite you to use this interactive tier tool to provide an initial evaluation of your event tier.

SPECIAL EVENT TIER TOOL

Please note that this tool is for guidance only. The Special Events Committee will determine your event tier upon submission of your Outdoor Special Event Application. For questions regarding event tiers, please email specialevents@boston.gov or call (617)-635-2552. 

A TIER 1 OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENT - APPLICATION DEADLINE AT LEAST 10 BUSINESS DAYS OR 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

• Is no longer than one day long 
• Is stationary 
• Impacts two or less city blocks or sidewalks
• Has 149 or less attendees 

A TIER 2 OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENT - APPLICATION DEADLINE AT LEAST 20 BUSINESS DAYS OR 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

• Is no longer than one day long 
• Impacts more than two city blocks or sidewalks 
• Is moving
• Has between 150 and 250 attendees 

A TIER 3 OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENT - APPLICATION DEADLINE AT LEAST 30 BUSINESS DAYS OR 6 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

• Is more than one day long 
• Can be a recurring event 
• Impacts a city street with MBTA transportation stops
• Is a carnival 
• Has a moon bounce/ bounce house that is not on residential private property 
• Has or sells alcohol
• Has over 250 attendees 

Before you can submit an Outdoor Special Event application, you must obtain permission from the property owner of the space and upload a copy of approval with your application.  You can use the map below to look up the location of your event. 

SPECIAL EVENTS MAP

COMMONLY RESERVED EVENT SPACES & REQUIRED PERMITS OR APPROVALS:

• Block Party: If you are hosting a block party (closing two or less city streets), you must complete a Block Party Play Street Closing permit application.

• City Park: If your event is held in a City of Boston park, you must reserve the park by applying for a Park Reservation permit through the Parks Department
• Parades, Races, Rallies: If you are having a parade, procession, march, rally, or an event that requires the temporary use of the street, you must complete a Public Way Event permit application.
• City Hall Property: If your event is held on City Hall Plaza, Faneuil Hall, Sam Adams Park, or outside the Civic Pavilion you must obtain permission from Property Management by applying for a Public Event permit application. 
• Commercial Private Property: If your event is on commercial private property, you must obtain a letter of permission or rental agreement from the property owner or manager permitting you to use the space for the specific event date and time.
• For events held in or impacting the Greenway, Massport property, or State of Massachusetts parks, streets, or DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) land, you can use this link to find the contact information needed to obtain approval. 
• Please note that the City of Boston does NOT permit outdoor special events held on residential private property. 

Before starting your Outdoor Special Event application, all applicants must upload a detailed site plan and a copy of approval for the event space. Site plans are not required to be professionally drawn, but they must be legible, close to scale (with dimensions), and provide sufficient detail to paint a picture of what your event will look like.

For parades, marches, runs, walks, or other mobile events you must upload a turn-by-turn map indicating the route of the event. Screenshots of a map with no details provided are not accepted.  Applications submitted without a site plan will not be approved.  You can use this guide to ensure your site plan includes all the minimum requirements. See site plan examples. 

If your event is held on a public street, please include a 20-foot-wide unobstructed lane for emergency access. Additionally, if the street has fire hydrants, it is required that both sides of the fire hydrant have at least a 10-foot clearance from any equipment or objects.  

If you would like, you can use the map below as the base of your event's site plan.

SPECIAL EVENTS MAP

Depending on the complexity of your event, you may be required to upload additional attachments with your Outdoor Special Event application.

Will your event have security or operations staff?

You will need to upload your security and operations plan indicating the number and location of personnel. 

Are you advertising your event?

You will need to upload copies of or links to the advertisements. For events that are pending approval, advertisements must include the following messaging "Pending the license approvals by the City of Boston."

IS YOUR EVENT A TIER 2 OR TIER 3 EVENT?

Your event will need insurance if it qualifies as a Tier 2 or Tier 3 event. The City is solely providing a platform for information sharing. We recommend businesses follow best practices when sourcing supplies from new vendors.

Special Event Insurance Portal

Disclaimer:

This list is open to all local vendors that choose to identify themselves for this listing. Purchases are not guaranteed by the City of Boston. The City is not responsible for any loss or damage that may result from ordering from one of the suppliers listed below. The list is provided for information only, the City:

• Has not formally vetted the products offered by any listed company
• Does not represent that any company’s products are suitable for any specific purpose, and
• Does not “approve” or otherwise prefer companies listed compared to companies that do not appear on any of the below lists.

Please submit an Outdoor Special Event application (previously known as the PUB App). If this is your first event with the City, you will need to set up an online account. Remember to write down your username and password. Before starting your application, it is recommended that you thoroughly read through the process steps on this page and have all of your required materials prepared. 

Special event application

After you apply online, you will receive an email from the Special Events team on how to move forward with your event. We will either set up a meeting with the Special Events Committee, or you’ll have to meet with individual departments in the City. We’ll also let you know about any other permits or services you might need.

Depending on the complexity of your event, you may be asked to meet with the Special Events Committee at a pre-arranged time through a virtual conference. At the meeting, you will present the details of the event and the Committee will advise which additional city department permits are required to receive final approval from the City of Boston. At your Special Event Committee meeting, you will be given a checklist of permits and documents you need to get for your event.

You may refer to the guide below for a list of ADDITIONAL permits YOU MAY NEED

Special Event Permit Reference Sheet

Please Note: Not all events will require a Special Events Committee meeting. If a meeting is not required, the Special Events Manager will send you a copy of the Outdoor Special Event Application and a checklist of permits that you will be required to obtain to complete the process.

After the Special Event Committee meeting or after receipt of the Outdoor Special Event Application and permit checklist, you will apply for and gather all the permits listed on the checklist as soon as possible.  Permits and approvals are obtained from various City departments. Please note some City permits may take some time to acquire and a fee may be applied for each permit.

Some of the frequently Needed permits for outdoor special events arE: 

1. BFD Tent Permit: Any event using a canopy or tent that is 400 square feet or larger 
   • Please note that a group of four or fewer 10'x10' tents in a cluster does not need a permit if they are touching and do not have tent sides. 
2. BFD Open Burning and Cooking Permit: Any event using a grill or outside cooking appliance used on nonresidential property 
   • Please note that gasoline-fueled appliances are not allowed
3. ISD Health Temporary Food Permit: Any event using food caterers, vendors, will be selling food, or events on commercial property that will be providing food
   • Please note that under Chapter 94, Section 328A, for events where food is not being sold, compensation is not being provided to the people who are bringing food, and the event is not being held for commercial purposes will not need a permit. If the listed criteria applies to your event, signs must be posted informing those who attend that the food and cooking facilities were not inspected by state or local health inspectors. 
4. PWD Street Occupancy Permit: Any event that will have large structures (i.e., stages, generators, fencing, tents larger than 10'x10', etc.) placed on the public street or sidewalk. For more information on this permit, click here.
   • Please note that all Street Occupancy Permits require a Surety Bond which can be applied for through the Public Works Department. 
5. BFD Portable Generator Permit: Any event that will be using a fuel-powered generator.
   • Please note that propane and diesel fuel are only allowed, gasoline generators are not. Solar and battery-powered generators do not require a permit.

Hosting the activities listed above on your personal property does not require additional permits and is the quickest and easiest way to include one or more of the activities in your event.

For more information on other permits YOU MAY NEED, please use the BUTTON BELOW

Special Events City Permits

The Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing (MOCAL) issues the final permit for your event. To receive the final permit, you will be required to submit the Special Event Application (signed by the Police Captain) and all the permits from the PUB checklist to MOCAL@boston.gov at least five (5) days before the event:

Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

You can also email us at: MOCAL@boston.gov 

Please Note: The "one-time entertainment license" is typically the last permit issued for the Special Event process. If there is no entertainment at your event, MOCAL will still need to view all the permits obtained to issue final approval for your event.

If you have any questions regarding the special events process, please email specialevents@boston.gov or call 617-635-2673.