Holding an event in a park or open space

Many events are held each year in the borough’s parks and open spaces. These include funfairs, circuses, community and commercial events. We are keen to see the borough’s parks widely used by local people and attending or organising events are some of the many ways people can do this.

Holding an event within the borough’s parks or open spaces requires the Council’s permission which can be obtained by completing the application form (MS Word, 244KB) (read our terms and conditions here(pdf, 37KB)) and returning it with the necessary supporting documents. Some events might also require a licence. The following are details of two types of licence.

Being granted a licence or permission to hold an event does not mean that you are guaranteed to be granted the other.

Types of licences

Premises Licence

Under the Licensing Act, if you are intending to hold an event in a park where you anticipate an audience of 500 people or more for entertainment that includes music or dance, a time limited Premises Licence will be required. This process will take a minimum of three months. It is therefore essential that you contact the Parks Section at least four months before you intend to hold an event.

Temporary Event Notice

The process for an event that includes music or dance for an audience of fewer than 500 is less complicated. The license for these events is known as a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). You will need to contact us at 8 weeks before you intend to stage one of these smaller events.

Fees and charges

The authority will set an annual scale of fees and charges for parks events. The fees will be dependent on the type of event, the numbers of people attending and the duration of the event.

The following will apply:

• Provisional bookings will only be made after the section has received a completed application form
• A reinstatement bond (when applicable) must be paid in advance of the event when the fee is payable. This will be used to repair any damage to the park that is caused as a result of an event.
• Full payment of the fee and the reinstatement bond should be made at least four weeks before the event.

For current rates please download the Hire of Council Owned and or Managed Land Charges, Deposits and Damages(pdf, 43KB)  

More information

For guidelines and procedures please read the Parks and Open Spaces Events Policy(pdf, 132KB).

If you wish to hold an event or have an idea for an event, in any of the borough’s parks or open spaces please contact the events officer.

For further advice on organising a safe and successful event visit the HSE website and the London Events Toolkit website.