Holding small gatherings and events in parks and public spaces

Project Status: When you need to do this

City of Sydney parks and public spaces are open for everyone to enjoy. You are not required to apply or book for small private gatherings without infrastructure. These gatherings are not defined as events and include birthday parties, picnics, neighbourhood get-togethers for residents and community groups.

You need to apply and book if you’re holding a temporary outdoor event in one of our parks or public spaces. Events are defined as festivals, cultural ceremonies and celebrations or temporary markets. Events also include activations such as live outdoor entertainment and industry related promotions and exhibitions. A standard application fee applies.

Wedding ceremonies are a special type of temporary outdoor event. You can apply to hold a ceremony in one of our parks and public spaces. Note, wedding receptions cannot be approved in outdoor spaces.

Small gatherings

You do not need to apply or book to hold small gatherings provided you aren’t bringing infrastructure into a park or public space. This includes furniture, equipment, marquees or jumping castles. We cannot reserve barbecues, playgrounds or other City of Sydney furniture for your small gathering.

Gatherings that include infrastructure may be classified as a temporary outdoor event. You will need to apply and book for an event. Further information and the application form for holding temporary outdoor events can be found below.

Note, you cannot apply or book public spaces for purely private events that are not accessible to the public.

If you are not bringing in infrastructure and the activity is not defined as an event, you need to follow any park or open space signs.

Keep in mind that our parks and public spaces are shared spaces, and other events and activities may be taking place nearby.

Wedding ceremonies

You'll need to apply and book to hold a wedding ceremony at one of our parks and public spaces. Some special rules apply to wedding ceremonies:

Weddings are booked in 3-hour blocks. We allow half an hour between each booking.
Guest numbers are limited to 35, including the wedding party.
You can bring up to 30 chairs, a carpet and 1 table into the booked space.
You cannot bring catering, more event infrastructure or vehicles into the space.
If you book a park with a rotunda, including Observatory Park, you have exclusive use of the rotunda during your booking. You do not have private exclusive use of the rest of the park or open space and these areas remain open to the general public.
Wedding ceremonies are not permitted in Paddington Reservoir Gardens.
You do not need a permit or approval to take wedding photos on the same day as the ceremony, but drones cannot be used in all spaces and exclusive use cannot be taken.

To make a booking, complete the park/open spaces wedding ceremony application.

Park/open spaces wedding ceremony applicationPDF · 24.92 KB · Last modified 1 August 2024

Need help?

If you have questions before you apply, contact our open space bookings team.

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Temporary outdoor events

Before applying for an event, contact our open space bookings team to discuss your event, proposal, availability and suitable locations. Temporary outdoor events are activities such as community festivals and events, live music performances, school sports carnivals, charitable collections, parades, product sampling and activations.

Temporary outdoor events may be free of charge or ticketed, but must be accessible to the public to participate. You cannot apply or book public spaces for privately enclosed events that are not open to the public.

You can apply to hold a temporary outdoor event at most of our parks, sports fields or public spaces. We can provide advice on the suitability of your event, desired location and availability based on the type of event.

Note, you cannot apply to host private or exclusive events that are not accessible to the public.

Neighbourhood street parties and closures

Temporary road closures for a neighbourhood activity can be carried out by keeping with requirements that apply to any temporary event.

Applicants are required to submit an event application form which details their neighbourhood activity, and provide public liability insurance and a detailed traffic management plan from a licensed traffic management company. Depending on the scale of the activities other approvals may also apply.

Event applicationPDF · 118.66 KB · Last modified 16 May 2024

Apply to conduct an event in a park, open space, footway or street.