Host a Special Event

Special Event Permit Fees

For any special event hosted in a Milwaukee County Parks location, the base permit fee will be determined by the location and estimated attendence. Additional fees for add-ons, such as hot-lining, or permits, such as the City of Milwaukee's Noise Variance, may be required.

Note: Separate applications and fee structures are used at Boerner Botanical Gardens, Mitchell Park Domes and Wehr Nature Center

Premium Special Event Venue Base Fees (per day)*

• Bradford Beach, $850
• Cathedral Square, $610
• Greenfield Park, $610
• Juneau Park, $610
• Lake Park, $610
• Pere Marquette Park, $610
• Red Arrow Park, $610
• Zeidler Union Square, $610

Veterans Park Special Event Venues, Base Fees (per day)*

• Veterans Park Shelter, $400
• General Special Event Staged Off-Site, fewer than 500 participants, $1,200
• Section A - Lagoon, $2,200
• Section B - Coast Guard Shelter Area $1,200
• Section C - Parking Lot $1,650
• Section D - Meadow, $3,000
• Section E - East, $2,600
• Section F - O'Donnell Point, $1,200

See the Veterans Park Section Boundaries

Lincoln Memorial Drive Closure, Base Fee (per day)*

All Lincoln Memorial Drive closure requests must be submitted by Nov. 20 of the year prior to the requested closure.

• Lincoln Memorial Drive, Closure, $3,000

General Location, Crowd-Size Base Fee (per day, Mon.-Thurs. / Fri.-Sun.)* 

• Fewer than 50 people expected to attend:
  Contact the Special Events Office
• 50 to 200 people expected to attend:
  $350 / $450
• 201-400 people expected to attend
  $400 / $500
• 400+ people expected to attend
  $510 / $610

Humboldt & Washington Park Banshells, Base Fee*

• Bandshell Outside Stage (up to 6 hours), $600
• Bandshell Outside Stage & Indoor Dressing Room (up to 6 hours), $900
• Bandshell Per Additional Hour, $100

*NOTE: Fees may be subject to sales tax, and other permit fees may apply

Additional Required Documents or Permits

Depending on the type and location of the special event you plan to host, you may be required to provide additional documents or acquire additional permits from us or the municipality.

Examples include:

• Wisconsin Tax Exemption Form (sample)
• Certificate of Insurance with the Parks Additionally Insured (sample)
• Liquor Liability Insurance with the Parks Additionally Insured (sample)
• Vendor Permit, any selling or exchange of money in the parks (follow this link to details on the "Vendors" tab)
• Municipality Licenses and Permits, such as City Street Closure Permit, Entertainment License, Temporary Food & Drink Establishment Inspection (find the Municipality's website)
• Municipal Alcohol or Class “B” Beer License, serving or selling (sample) 
• Noise Variance Permit (City of Milwaukee only) (sample)

5k Routes

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