Festival

A festival is typically staged by a local group to celebrate a unique cultural aspect. These events may require a large outdoor and/or indoor space, the purchase and selling of food and goods,  the playing of live or recorded music and street closures.

Download the Special Events Permit Guide for more information about permitting requirements.

Required

• Begin the application process at least 2 months before the event date
• Secure event location
• • If the event is taking place on a neutral ground or other public green space, click here for more information
  • If the event is taking place in a NORDC (New Orleans Recreation Development Commission) playground, park or facility, click here for more information
  • If the event is taking place on public property, contact the Department of Public Property Management to obtain written approval: Adrienne Recasner, 504-658-3600, aarecasner@nola.gov
  • If the event is located on private property not belonging to organization holding the event, secure written approval from the property owner
  • If the event is taking place in the street, click here for more information
• Organizer are required to register as a promoter and submit a $10,000 performance bond (for 3 or more vendors) and a list of the vendors participating in the event, click here for more information
• Develop and submit an event plot plan / layout with your application
• Click here to learn more about the requirements related to tents, canopies and other erected structures
• Provide a sanitation (clean-up) plan and copy of contract with the clean-up company if the event includes throws and/or debris are produced

Optional

• If one or more street parking meters will be blocked off, click here for more information
• If alcoholic beverages will be sold/distributed on site, click here for more information
• If a stage and/or concession stands will be erected, click here for more information
• If you plan to have special hazards such as lasers, open flame, cooking, pyrotechnics, heating equipment, and fog generator, click here for Supplement G and click here for more information on Fire Watch and Hazards.
• Provide information about noise source if there will be entertainment
• Electrical installation, repair, or replacement requires a licensed electrical contractor to apply for an electrical permit
• Mechanical installation, repair, or replacement requires a licensed mechanical contractor to apply for a mechanical permit

Considerations

• Vendors for the event are required to obtain an annual trade show license to participate
• Events  with more than 1,000 attendees require emergency medical coverage and security coverage
• Events with 8,000 to 20,000 participants need to submit event details through contact form for consideration for Event Support Team meeting.
• Events with more than 20,000 participants are required to attend an Event Support Team meeting one to two months in advance

THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL ECONOMY, THE MAYOR’S OFFICE, AND/OR THE INDIVIDUAL PERMITTING DEPARTMENTS (I.E. REVENUE) NO LONGER ACCEPT APPLICATIONS.  REMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE ONE STOP SHOP ON THE 7TH FLOOR OF CITY HALL, OR YOU CAN VISIT THE ONE STOP ONLINE AT http://www.nola.gov/onestop/ FOR ONLINE APPLICATIONS.

Level of Impact