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Find similar grantsSpecial Events Permit Application is sponsored by City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Allows organizations to apply for permits to host outdoor festivals, street fairs, and other public events in Chicago.
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Affairs & Consumer ProtectionCity of Chicago TVCivilian Office of Police AccountabilityCommunity Commission for Public Safety & AccountabilityCultural Affairs & Special EventsEmergency Mgmt & Communications * PolicePolice BoardProcurement ServicesPublic HealthPublic LibraryPublic Safety AdministrationStreets & SanitationTechnology &InnovationTransportationWater Management * Legislation and Regulation * Municipal CodeConstruction CodesZoning and Land Use OrdinanceCity of Chicago Rules Portal * Employee Phone DirectoryBoards & CommissionsCity Holidays (Offices Closed) Language Apply Translation # Cultural Affairs and Special Events ### DCASE supports creatives and expands access to the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods.
DCASE Home* DCASE Calendar * Cultural Grants Program * Quick Links;)Chicago Cultural Center Visual Arts Program Chicago Monuments Project Chicago Poet Laureate Program DCASE Archived Newsletters Special Event Permit Application * Apr 15, 2026 - City Council Confirms Kenya Merritt as Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner * Apr 14, 2026 - City of Chicago Announces Lineup for 2026 Chicago Blues Festival, June 4-7 * Mar 19, 2026 - Mayor Brandon Johnson Appoints Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt as Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner * Mar 10, 2026 - Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Announces 2026 Spring and Summer Slate at the Historic Chicago Cultural Center * Jan 27, 2026 - Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Announce Dates for Blockbuster Lineup of 2026 Festivals and Events * FOIA Request Log — Cultural Affairs and Special Events 3.
Cultural Affairs and Special Events 5. Special Events Permit Application # Special Events Permit Application DCASE Homepage>**Special Events Permit Application** ## Notice Regarding DCASE Special Events Application Please be advised that the DCASE Special Events Application is exclusively designated for festivals and athletic events. Marketing activations are NOT permitted on public rights of way.
Should you wish to conduct a marketing activation and obtain the City's permission, it must be situated on private land. Sidewalks and streets are strictly prohibited for marketing activities. For those seeking to host activities, **Chicago Park District** properties are available for such purposes.
We kindly ask that you reach out to them directly for further assistance. Thank you for your cooperation. ## Online Special Events Permit Application DCASE processes Special Events applications for outdoor festivals, street and art/craft fairs and athletic events.
Special Event Permits are subject to both the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois health and safety guidelines. All events must follow guidelines in place at the time of the event. **Applications must be completed in full with supporting attachments to prevent delays in processing.
Contact SEPermits@cityofchicago. org with any questions. ** (application works best in Google Chrome) **Special Event Permit Application Guide** Please review the **Special Event Permit Application Guide** for guidance.
**ALL Outdoor events held in the City of Chicago** must complete a DCASE Special Event Permit Application if **ANY of the following apply** * Will close City streets (street closures are not allowed for private events) * Will sell/serve food on a public/private property (open to the public) * Will sell/serve alcohol * Have tent(s) larger than 20 ft. x 20 ft. (400 sq.
ft.) ; OR * Have stage(s) taller than 2 ft. **Bar Crawls** must also complete an application if the event if **ANY of the following apply** * Expects to exceed 500 participants * Includes 5 or more stops/participating establishments OR * Includes 3 or more stops/participating establishments on the same street block.
***You do NOT need a DCASE Special Event Permit for the following** * **Outdoor Wedding/Reception** * **Outdoor Private Event (Invitation Only Event) - (not open to the public)** * **Block Parties (Contact Your Alderman)** * **Parades/Processions (Contact CDOT)** * **Rallies/Marches (Contact CDOT)** **Chicago Department of Buildings 2 week rule** **14A-4-405. 6 Denial of permit.
** On and after March 1, 2023, when a _temporary_ structure requires both a building _permit_ and an Outdoor Special Event Permit under Section **10-8-335** of the _Municipal Code_, the _building official_ must deny the building _permit_ if a substantially complete building _permit_ application, including substantially complete _construction documents_, is not received by the _building official_ at least 14 calendar days before the start of the event.
**Street Closure Application** If you will be requiring a street closure please complete the street closure application. **Street Closure Application** Effective **Monday, September 29, 2025**, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will calculate the Special Event Processing fee based on when an application has all accurate and required documents submitted to the application portal.
Previously, the processing fee was based on the date an application was started on the DCASE portal. Going forward, the fee will be determined by the **date the application has all accurate required documents** uploaded and submitted for DCASE review. If you begin an application 6 months before your event but do not submit all required documents until 40 days before the event, your processing fee will be $500 not $100.
If submitted 21 days before the event, your processing fee will now be $2,000.
**DCASE Processing Fee Schedule** The nonrefundable processing fee is based on the number of days before your event that your application is **complete** (all documents submitted): * **$100** – Completed **180 to 60** days prior to the event * **$200** – Completed **59 to 45** days prior to the event * **$500** – Completed **44 to 37** days prior to the event * **$1,000** – Completed **36 to 29** days prior to the event * **$2,000** – Completed **28 to 21** days prior to the event Applications will **not** be accepted if completed less than 21 days before the event.
Please plan accordingly to avoid higher fees by ensuring all required documents are submitted as early as possible. Thank you for your attention to this update and for working with DCASE to make your event a success. **Special Event Food Vendor Requirements Event Organizer's Checklist** Please follow this checklist so that the Special Events may be reviewed in a timely manner.
* One attachment per food vendor applicant. Include all food-related documents per business under one scan/attachment. * Organizers must label their uploaded (PDF) documents.
* List all Food Vendors and Food Truck Vendors in the Vendors Information Page **Download Checklist (PDF)")** **Chicago Park District Permit Application** Any outdoor events held on Chicago Park property require a completed Chicago Park District Permit Application.
Chicago Park District Permit Application **Expanded Outdoor Permits** Effective January 1, 2023, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will be overseeing the Extended Outdoor Dinning (EOD) Program. For further information please email **cdotpermitsupport@cityofchicago. org** or **visit the website**.
Special Event Permit Tutorial How to Create a Web Portal Account Outdoor Event EMS Requirements Alcohol & Hemp Beverage Sales at DCASE Special Events Pop-Up Retail User Application Community Engagement Plan Fire Prevention and Safety Regulations for Vendors How To Guide: Applying For A Temporary Generator Permit Accessibility at Outdoor Events CDPH Special Event Inspection Request Choose an Event Management Company Single Event Food License Application Single Event Food Truck License Application Please complete the 180 application and send directly to BACPspecialevent@cityofchicago.
org 180 Day Special Event Food Booth License Application Please complete the 180 application and send directly to BACPspecialevent@cityofchicago.
org 180 Day Special Event Food Truck License Application Special Event Food Sampling Application Special Use City Liquor License Application For Profit Application for State of Illinois Special Use Permit Liquor License State of Illinois Special Event Retailer's Liquor License Application Not-For-Profit General Permit Application Discussion (English) BACP/Health/State Liquor (English) Public Safety with CPD/CFD/OEMC (English) General Permit Application Discussion (Spanish) Department-focused (Buildings/Streets & Sanitation/CTA/Transportation) (English) Outdoor & Athletic Special Event Permits Application Webinar (PDF) DCASE Special Event Permitting 2024 (English) "A Conversation with Tuba Smith, from C3" (English) Get Set to Hit the Pavement!
Strategize Your Ultimate Chicago Run! (English) Special Events – Food Vendor Approval Requirements (English) **Email SEPermits@cityofchicago. org** Chicago Festival & Event Guide Check out the Choose Chicago festival & event guide for a full list of events traditionally held each month in Chicago.
Festival organizers can submit an event to be included on the calendar by going to the **Choose Chicago website**. **Chicago Cultural Center** **DCASE Calendar of Events** **Facebook****InstagramYouTubeLinkedIn** Choose Chicago Festival & Event Guide Daley Plaza Events Calendar [](https://www. facebook.
com/profile. php? id=100092157126212 "Facebook")[](https://twitter.
com/chicagosmayor "Twitter")[](https://www. youtube. com/user/cityofchicagotv "Youtube") Your feedback will be used to help improve Google Translate
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Organizations seeking to host public events in Chicago. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
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