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The next municipal election takes place on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Visit pickering.ca/vote for election information.
Community Festival & Events Manual
The City of Pickering has developed the Community Festival & Events Manual to assist prospective and reoccurring event organizers in planning safe and successful public events and festivals within Pickering.
The manual clearly outlines all areas of responsibility for event organizers. It includes information about how to apply, available site locations, permits, policies, procedures, and best practices. This valuable information will guide event organizers through the event planning process and assist in ensuring all necessary approvals are in place prior to an event.
Planning a festival or event will require a significant investment of time and resources. The contents of the manual should provide insight into the timelines and requirements for any events hosted on City or private property.
Event organizers should review the City’s Community Festivals & Events Policy (CUL 070) when considering hosting an event or festival in Pickering.
If you still have questions after reviewing the Community Festival & Events Manual, please contact City staff at events@pickering.ca or by calling 905.420.4620.
How to Apply
Event organizers are asked to submit a Community Festival & Event Application to formally initiate the review process for public festivals and events in Pickering occurring on City property.
The Community Festival & Event Application is presented to the City’s internal Corporate/Community Events Committee (CEC) for review and if the application is satisfactory, the Committee’s endorsement. Typically, applicants will receive an update of the CEC’s decision within 4 weeks of the application being submitted.
The City will not consider applications that replicate events or programs that the City already offers, as per the Community Festivals and Events Policy (CUL 070).
The recommended timeline for submitting a Community Festival & Event Application varies depending on event type:
An event with an estimated attendance of 20 – 999 guests per day. Open to the public.
Timeline to apply: a Community Festival & Event Application must be submitted a minimum of 90 days in advance of the event date for new applicants. The deadline is August 1 of the year prior for renewing applicants.
An event that includes any of the following:
Timeline to apply: a Community Festival & Event Application must be submitted a minimum of 1 year in advance of the event date for new applicants. The deadline is August 1 of the year prior for renewing applicants.
An event that includes any of the following:
Timeline to apply: a Community Festival & Event Application must be submitted a minimum of 18 months in advance of the event date for new applicants. The deadline is August 1 of the year prior for renewing applicants.
Please note: all Partner Events, including any event in Esplanade Park regardless of the estimated attendance, must be approved by Council the September or October prior to the calendar year of the event (i.e. an event on June 16, 2027, must be presented and approved in the September 2026 Council meeting).
Applicants must receive written confirmation of endorsement of their Community Festival & Event Application from a representative of the Corporate/Community Events Committee (CEC) prior to operating or promoting their festival or event, if occurring on City property.
All event organizers looking to host an event in Pickering must apply through the Community Festival & Event Application. Before an application can be reviewed, applicants are required to pay an application fee determined by event type.
Application fees are scaled based on anticipated attendance and impact of an event.
Event type will be determined based upon the checkboxes selected in the first section of the Community Festival & Event Application. The application timeline and application fee will automatically populate below.
Applicants are to follow the application fee link to ActiveNet and once the fee has been paid, input the receipt number into the required field. This is required to submit the form.
For approved events, the application fee will be deducted from final permit costs.
Park permit fees are based on the estimated attendance of an event per day.
The park permit fee ranges above are outlined on Page 30 of the 2026 Approved User Fees.
Park Damage/Security Deposit (Refundable)
The park damage and security deposit is required for all events in City parks. This fee is refundable upon final inspection of the park once the event has concluded.
Park Damage/Security Deposit fees are based on anticipated attendance of the event.
Signature Park Event Deposit (Non-Refundable)
The Signature Park Event Deposit ($530.45) is required for Partner Events to be considered for Council approval. Once approved by Council, the deposit amount will be applied towards the final permit costs.
It is mandatory for event organizers, at their own expense, to carry and maintain a minimum of $2 million per occurrence in Commercial General Liability, where the City of Pickering must be added as an “Additional Insured” on a Certificate of Insurance. If owned/leased vehicles are a part of the event operation, a minimum of $5 million per occurrence in Commercial Auto Liability will be required as well.
For events with event features such as, but not limited to, alcohol service, carnival/fairs, parades, temporary stages, fireworks, or water sport competitions, event organizers will be asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance for a minimum of $5 million per occurrence in Commercial General Liability with the City of Pickering added as an “Additional Insured.”
In some cases, event insurance can be purchased through the City of Pickering using a third-party provider. This is also at the expense of the event organizer.
Additional fees may be incurred by the event organizer depending on the event features and associated permits, inspections, and/or licenses required by the City or other governing bodies.
Event organizers are responsible for the costs of event rentals, such as but not limited to, tents, tables, chairs, stages, portable washroom units, and free-standing fencing. This cost includes any additional permit days required for rental deliveries and pick-up.
Picnic tables and garbage bins can be rented through the City:
Depending on the scale of the event, City staff or Security may be assigned to the event for required support roles and/or on-site supervision during any portion of set-up, operation, or take-down. Requirements will be identified upon approval of an applicant’s Community Festival & Event Application.
Pickering has many beautiful park spaces that may be used for outdoor festivals and events. It is important for event organizers to consider their site requirements, such as capacity, access to hydro or water, lighting, parking availability, transit options, park composition, and vehicle access, when selecting a possible event location.
Event capacity is determined based on event features and anticipated traffic. Event capacity may differ from the total park capacity.
One The Esplanade, Pickering, ON
Park Capacity: 10,212
Esplanade Park is located in Pickering’s downtown core beside the Pickering Civic Complex, Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, and The Shops in Pickering City Centre. This picturesque landmark park features a gazebo, two large lawn spaces on either side of the paved pedestrian pathway and has access to hydro upon request.
Parking is available in the Pickering Civic Complex and Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex parking lots upon request. New applicants will be required to provide a Traffic & Parking Management Plan for review.
All events in Esplanade Park are considered a Partner Event which requires approval from Council. Therefore, a Community Festival & Event Application must be submitted a minimum of 18 months in advance of the event date for new applicants.
Please note: West of Esplanade Park is under construction with the CentreCourt development. This may impact event logistics (parking, road closures, etc.) for event organizers. View more about this project.
505 Liverpool Road, Pickering, ON (Bottom of Liverpool Road)
Park Capacity: 1,132
Millennium Square is a large public square adjacent to Beachfront Park and Nautical Village, that overlooks Lake Ontario, Frenchman’s Bay, and the Hydro Marsh. This location features seasonal washrooms, lakeside seating, and is home to the City’s Thursday Night Summer Concerts. Power generators are required at Millennium Square for electrical requirements.
Paid/Permitted Waterfront Parking is in effect from May 1 to October 1 annually. Event organizers applying to host their event in Millennium Square in July and August will be required to arrange a shuttle service for event staff, volunteers, vendors, and/or performers to avoid impacting the municipal lot and street parking availability.
Community & Neighbourhood Parks
Community and Neighborhood Parks may be suitable for Community Events depending on the park size and composition, estimated attendance of the event, and other event features, particularly ones which may have an impact on park users or the surrounding residences.
As per the Sports Field Allocation Procedure, sports fields, ball diamonds, and courts are not available to host public events. When applying, event organizers should ensure there are NO items placed on those surfaces in their Site Map.
Please note: Parkettes, greens, and tot lots are not available for public events.
Visit Community Spaces and Rentals for more information.
Contact Us
Community Services
One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
Canada L1V 6K7
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