Host a Special Event in Milwaukee County Parks
Types of special events that require a permit include:
- Large public events, outreach, rallies, promotional events or religious events
- Bike races, bike rides, cross-country meets, walks or 5k runs
- Ticketed events, raffles, fundraisers, farmers markets and festivals
- Any outdoor event with amplified sound or speaker system, such as concerts or movie nights
Fill Out the Special Event Permit Submission Form
Note: Submit your application at least 30 days prior to your requested event date. Submission of an application is separate from the decision to award a permit. Parks will notify you of the results of the initial review, which checks availability of your requested location and date/time. If Parks finds no conflict, your application will continue through the review process. If Parks finds a conflict, we will suggest available dates and times or nearby locations.
Premium Lakefront
- Flat Fee based on location (per day)
- LMD closure requests must be submitted by Nov. 1 of the year prior to the requested closure.
- View the Veterans Park Section Boundaries
| Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| Bradford Beach | $850 |
| McKinley Beach | $850 |
| Veterans Park General Staged Off-Site, fewer than 500 participants |
$1,200 |
| Veterans Park Shelter | $400 |
| Veterans Park Section A - Lagoon | $2,300 |
| Veterans Park Section B - Coast Guard Shelter Area | $1,300 |
| Veterans Park Section C - Parking Lot | $1,650 |
| Veterans Park Section D - Meadow | $3,000 |
| Veterans Park Section E - East | $2,600 |
| Veterans Park Section F - O'Donnell Point | $1,250 |
Premium Parks
These premium event spaces have a flat $650 fee (per day)
- Cathedral Square
- Greenfield Park
- Humboldt Park
- Juneau Park
- Lake Park
- Pere Marquette Park
- Red Arrow Park
- Zeidler Union Square
Humboldt & Washington Park Bandshells
Flat Fee for first 6 hours*
Each additional hour is $110
- Bandshell Outside Stage: $700
- Indoor Dressing Room & Bandshell Outside Stage: $1,000
General Parks Locations
Fees are based on expected attendance (per day)*
| Attendance (Expected) | Fee (per day)* |
|---|---|
| < 50 | $150 / $250 |
| 50 to 200 | $350 / $450 |
| 201 to 400 | $400 / $500 |
| 401 to 700 | $550 / $650 |
| 701 to 1,000 | $600 / $650 |
| > 1,000 | $650 / $700 |
Additional Documents
Based on the type and location of the special event you plan to host, you may need to obtain additional documents or additional permits from Milwaukee County Parks or the city where the proposed event will take place.
Examples include:
- Certificate of Insurance with the Parks Additionally Insured
- Liquor Liability Insurance with the Parks Additionally Insured
- Municipal Alcohol or Class “B” Beer License, serving or selling
- Noise Variance Permit (City of Milwaukee only)
Questions? Contact the Special Events Office: [email protected]
Request for Law Enforcement Staging in Parks & Parkways
Any local, state, tribal or federal government entity, department bureau, office, or unit whose officers or agents are authorized by law to enforce criminal or civil laws, execute warrants, or make arrests, must obtain prior written authorization from Milwaukee County Parks before using parks or parkways as a staging area for operations