Event Planning Information
Event Locations
City Parks
The City of Hamilton has hundreds of parks that are used annually by event organizers. Some are suitable for major events and have amenities such as electricity and washrooms while others have few amenities and are intended for smaller community gatherings.
Any gathering where 20 or more people are expected requires a permit to use the park. Permits can be obtained from the City’s Recreation Division by completing an application. Visit event planning to determine which application should be completed (general, community or major).
Locates are required for any staking or digging in City parks. Utility owned lines can be located through Ontario One Call for free. City owned lines must also be located but are not covered by Ontario One Call. City owned lines (e.g. water, hydro) must be located from a 3rd party provider for a fee. Any damage to City property as a result of not obtaining locates is the responsibility of the event organizers. Superficial stabilizers are highly recommended (e.g. weights, sandbags, etc.)
Search for all parks by location or by specific amenities by visiting Park Finder
Popular Park Locations
How much does it cost to rent a park/portion of a park?
Council approves user fees for City services every year.
In 2022, park rentals for events ranged from $109.72 (+ tax) to $357.70 (+ tax) per space, per day. Pavilions and sports fields have their own rates. In 2022, pavilion rentals were $77.91 (+ tax) per booking, per day, and sports fields ranged hourly from $4.74 (+ tax) for a “C” class field to $45.28 (+ tax) for a “Premium Diamond.” View the full list of Council-approved user fees for 2022
Will City staff be available to assist with my event?
No, City staff will not be onsite to assist with your event unless staffing has been pre-arranged and paid for. Events expecting more than 10,000 people per day will be required to hire staff. You will be contacted by Parks if staffing is identified as a requirement for your event.
I want extra garbage cans and/or picnic tables at my event. Are they available?
Extra garbage cans and/or picnic tables may be available upon request for an extra fee. If you’ve determined that there aren’t enough garbage cans or picnic tables at the park that you are renting, you can request additional supplies. If available, Parks will deliver the supplies and invoice you. In 2022, the cost for additional garbage cans was $322 (+ tax) and the rental for additional picnic tables was $375 (+ tax).
Can washrooms in parks be used for my event?
Washroom facilities in parks are available for all park users. However, if your event will have more than 200 attendees, event organizers are required to rent portable toilets to supplement on-site washrooms. In addition, event organizers should be aware that on-site washrooms will be closed each evening at 8:00pm.
Is power (electricity) available at all parks?
No, access to electricity is not available at all parks. Additionally, power is not always operational even when it is available. Event organizers should be aware that generators may be required at the organizer’s expense. You will be contacted by Parks’ staff if you’ve requested access to electricity and it is not available/operational at the park you’ve asked to rent.
I have a question about my park permit. Who do I contact?
Contact Recreation by emailing [email protected] or by calling 905-546-3747, option 2.
City Streets/Roadway
To host an event on a city roadway, you will need to apply for a temporary road closure. There are two types of closures on roadways that event organizers can request:
- temporary lane closure (closure of one lane of roadway)
- temporary road closure.(full closure of the roadway (i.e. cars cannot pass in either direction))
To request a closure, event organizers must complete these steps:
- Submit a Festival & Event Approval Application (‘SEAT Application’)
- Complete a Temporary Road Closure Application (for road closure requests only)
- Pay the permit fee for either the lane or road closure permit. In 2022, the cost for a lane closure was $54.67 and $721.24 for a road closure.
- Provide proof of insurance naming the City as an additional insured. For more information about insurance, see Event Insurance.
- Provide a copy of the notification letter that was sent to all property owners and tenants along the closed portion of the road and detour route (for road closure requests only)
- Provide a detailed Traffic Control Plan (TCP) of the road closure (for road closure requests only). This plan should include the location of all event organizer-installed signing, barricading, coning and advance warning boards as per OTM Book 7.
For more information, visit Corridor Management or contact [email protected].
Block party requests must follow the same process as road closures.
City Hall
Located at 71 Main Street West, Hamilton
There is no rental fee to use the Forecourt, but there are fees associated with access outside of regular business hours and for obtaining additional services (i.e. sound amplification, event setup, access to indoor washrooms, security service, etc.)
Amplified sound is not permitted on the Forecourt during Council or Committee meetings held in Council Chambers. View the schedule of meetings
You are expected to leave the Forecourt in the same condition in which you found it. Cleaning and/or repair costs will be billed back to the event organizer if the City of Hamilton determines this is necessary after your event
The use of glitter, confetti, paint, and chalk at City Hall and on the Forecourt is not permitted. Candles must be used in a shatter-proof container, though electronic candles are preferred.
For more information about booking the City Hall Forecourt for your event, contact the Facilities Service Centre at [email protected] or call 905-546-2784
Hamilton Civic Museums
For information about booking indoor or outdoor space at a Hamilton Civic Museum, email [email protected] or visit Hamilton Civic Musuems.
Recreation Facilities
For information about renting ice, sports fields, community halls, recreation centres and pools, email [email protected] or visit Facility Rentals.
Date modified
December 16, 2022