Milwaukee County’s goal is to enrich your life by providing essential services that meet your needs and those of your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.
We enhance the quality of life in Milwaukee County through great public service.
Milwaukee County is home to over 950,000 people living in one of 19 communities, which range in size from the City of Milwaukee, with 595,000 residents, to the Village of River Hills, with roughly 1,600 residents.
Still a manufacturing stronghold, the region features 16 Fortune 1000 companies and thousands of others in the financial services, medical device, hospitality and retailing industries.
Find information about things to do and happenings in Milwaukee County.
Milwaukee County has confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and more cases have been identified in the U.S. It's important that everyone take steps to reduce the spread. Find out more about COVID-19 and our ongoing response.
Some of Milwaukee’s most popular annual events, including Barktoberfest, Bastille Days, Chill on the Hill, Lakefront Marathon, UPAF Ride for the Arts, Walk to Defeat ALS and WMSE Backyard BBQ are held in Milwaukee County Parks. New special event applications are welcome. A Special Event Permit is required to reserve any Milwaukee County Parks property for any of the following reasons:
Hundreds of thousands of visitors head to the Milwaukee Lakefront each summer to visit our Premium Lakefront Venues:
Milwaukee County Parks manages some of the most popular outdoor event venues in downtown Milwaukee. These event spaces include:
Several parks in Milwaukee County have built-in stages, ideal for open-air concerts or movie nights. Indoor auditoriums and stages are also available in community centers and some park pavilions.
To host an event in a Milwaukee County park or facility, you'll need to apply for a Special Event Permit. This includes tickted events, raffles, 5k runs, concerts, farmers markets and festivals.
For any special event hosted in a Milwaukee County parks location, the permit fee will include the base fee for the location, plus a fee based on estimated attendence. Additional fees for add-ons, such as a raffle permit, may also apply.
**Milwaukee County Parks will use a flexible fee schedule in July 2020 due to the Democratic National Convention. Rates for related rentals and permits will be determined in cooperation with the Democratic National Committee.**
CROWD SIZE FEE
FEE
Up to 200 expected attendance
$400
201-400 expected attendance
$450
400+ expected attendance
$550
DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS BASE FEE
Cathedral Square
Juneau
Pere Marquette
Red Arrow
Zeidler Union Square
LAKEFRONT LOCATIONS BASE FEE
Bradford Beach
$750
Lake Park
Lincoln Memorial Drive (Closure)
$2,700
McKinley Park
$1,100
Veterans Park (four sectors available)
$1,100 - $2,700
HUMBOLDT & WASHINGTON BANDSHELLS BASE FEE
Bandshell Outside Stage (up to 6 hours)
$600
Indoor Dressing Room
$300
Bandshell Per Additional Hour
$100
*Fees do not include Wisconsin state taxes
** Other permit fees may apply
***Fees do not apply to Boerner Botanical Gardens, Mitchell Park Domes or Wehr Nature Center
Before a Special Event Permit can be issued, all fees must be paid and, depending on the type of special event you are hosting, any additional permits will also need to be completed. Potential additional permits include:
Planning a 5k run? Several popular routes in Milwaukee are pre-measured.
Greenfield Park 5k Route
Veterans Park 5k Route Section D
Veterans Park 5k Route Section E
Please note that group-size restrictions will likely impact the Special Events World even after Safer-at-Home Orders are lifted. Also note that submission of an application is separate from the decision to award a permit.
Complete the Special Event Application below and submit for approval with a site and route map (if applicable) at least 90 days prior to event date.
After receipt of your Special Event Application, you will be notified via email within three weeks regarding the status of your event.
If your special event is approved, you will receive an email with special event permit fees and requirements. All payments are required at least 60 days prior to the event, and all permit requirements must be submitted two weeks prior to event.
View the event calendar for more information on special events held in Milwaukee County Parks.
Special Event Application
Request for Cancellation/Postponement Due to COVID-19
9480 Watertown Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (414) 257-PARK (7275)