Experience and Celebrate all that Saint Paul Offers Through Special Events
The City of Saint Paul is currently processing permits for events of all sizes.
Saint Paul has always been a diverse city of neighborhoods. Our festivals, sporting events, and community-based celebrations demonstrate our civic pride and spirit. The City of Saint Paul is pleased to host hundreds of events annually, all of which contribute to the vitality of the most livable city in America.
Any individual or organization planning on hosting a block party, community festival, parade, race or public assembly in city parks or streets must apply and receive a permit for the event. The Saint Paul Police Department Special Operations Unit (SOU) manages the permit applications and approval process for all events that will impact city streets. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation manages the permitting process for all events held on park land.
Per City Ordinance, all recurrent events must submit an application no less than ninety (90) days in advance of the event. NEW events must submit the application no less than sixty (60) days prior.
The First Amendment
The Saint Paul Police Department recognizes the right of the people to peacefully assemble as protected by the Constitution of the United States of America. We've created a brochure that helps to explain those rights, as well as reasonable limitations that can be imposed on events in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all. The Saint Paul Police Department will not deny a permit for an event due to its perceived controversial or unpopular content.
Special Events Community Calendar
The City of Saint Paul provides a calendar of permitted special events scheduled to occur on public property. Double click on the event title to see information and documents.
Insurance
All applications shall be accompanied by evidence in the form of a properly executed certificate of insurance that the city is protected as an additional insured under a comprehensive public liability insurance policy against all liability or claims which might arise out of the holding of the block party or community festival. The insurance coverage to be in the amounts of not less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for injury or damage to any person or property and not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate amount for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence. Insurance requirements do NOT apply to residential neighborhood block parties.
Resources
- Special Events Guidebook 2024.pdf (665.56 KB)
- Special Event Contact List (435.02 KB)
- Special Event Recycling and Waste Management
Planning an Event on Park Property
Only the Parks and Recreation Department has the authority to permit events on city park property. If you are planning an event on park property, please refer to the following resources:
- If you are planning an event that will take place within a city park property, you can visit the Parks and Recreation Department's event planning page to locate park permit applications and related resources.
- If you are planning a walk/run or other distance event in Saint Paul that involves park space, please visit the Parks and Recreation walk/run information page to locate documents and helpful resources.
- Other park and facility reservation and permitting information can be found here.
- Harriet Island and its related parks require specific permits and reservations. Please visit the Harriet Island Rentals and Reservations page for details.
Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) Special Event-related Permits
DSI requires permits for some aspects of special events. They have their own webpage that will help you learn more about safety and licensing requirements for events. They also have a special section on skyway use if your event will be utilizing one.
Planning an Event on State Capitol Property
If you are planning an event that will take place on capitol grounds, you must obtain a separate state-issued permit. You can visit the State Capitol Public Events page to locate capitol permit applications and related resources.
