Host a community event

To host an event on City property, you’ll need to obtain a permit and get approval for specific activities.

You should submit your request a minimum of 6 weeks before the event date. Depending on the complexity of your event, a longer review time may be required.

If you have any questions about hosting an event, email us at saugacelebrates@mississauga.ca.

1. Book your location

To see a list and descriptions of our event locations, please visit our parks location page.

To book the location for your event, complete the facility rental or park permit request form online.

After you submit your request, we’ll contact you and give you a Draft Facility Rental Permit. This acts as a tentative reservation until your permit is approved.

For more information about event locations and availability, please call our Customer Service Centre at 905-615-4100.

2. Complete the Event Activities Approval Process

Some event activities require additional approvals. If your event includes any of the following activities, you’ll need to complete an Event Activities Approval Process (EAAP):

If your event involves loud music or a sound system, you’ll need to apply for a noise exemption to the City’s Noise By-law.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get an exemption.

Charging admission before the event or on the day of needs to be approved by City staff.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get this approval.

If you’re serving alcohol at your event, you must contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to apply for a Special Occasion Permit.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get this permit.

For more information on events that will involve hot air balloons, contact saugacelebrates@mississauga.ca.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this approval.

For more information on events that will involve street performances, contact saugacelebrates@mississauga.ca.

You’ll be asked to provide details about the performance. It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this approval.

If your event will feature a carnival, it will take a minimum of 90 days to get this approval.

Carnivals can operate for a maximum of three consecutive days.

Any use of an open air fire not being used for cooking needs an open air burning permit from Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this permit.

To set off fireworks on a City street or in a public space, you’ll need to apply for a fireworks permit.

It can take more than 90 days before your event to get this permit.

If you’re serving food at no cost, you’ll need to apply for a special event application for event organizers from Peel Public Health at least four weeks before your event.

If there will be food trucks or other vendors selling food at your event, you must apply for a special event licence.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this approval.

You may need to provide a waste management plan and have it approved by City staff.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this approval.

The location of any inflatables like an inflatable castle must be approved by City staff.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this approval.

You must have liability insurance for all facility rentals.

You can buy insurance through the City or use an existing insurance policy if your broker files a Certificate of Insurance form.

The form must name the City of Mississauga as an additional insured.

Learn more about the City’s facility user insurance.

For more information on playing movies in a City park, contact saugacelebrates@mississauga.ca.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get this approval.

To run a raffle, bingo event or 50/50 draw, you must apply for a lottery licence.

It can take more than 90 days before your event to get this licence.

If you need to close a City street for a festival or other event, you’ll need to apply for a road occupancy permit.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get this permit.

Depending on the scope of your event, you may need a security plan. This may include hiring private security or requesting an off-duty police officer from Peel Regional Police to be present during your event.

You can schedule a paid duty officer online.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get this approval.

If you need a stage to be built for your event, City staff must conduct an inspection to approve the site. You’ll need to provide details about the full scope of staging, including the size of stage, staging company, vehicle access to site and any special arrangements.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this approval.

For more information contact saugacelebrates@mississauga.ca.

If your event is in a City park, all tents including canopy covers require permission from the parks supervisor. You’ll need to provide an event site plan that shows the tent’s location.

If you’re putting up a temporary tent larger than 20 x 30 you will need to apply for a building permit.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get this permit.

If there will be vendors selling products at your event, you must apply for a special event licence.

It can take up to 60 days before your event to get this licence.

The route for a walkathon needs to be approved by City staff, this can take a minimum of 90 days.

You may also need to apply for a road permit, or install other safety elements.

If your event includes swimming, boating or other water activities there may be additional approvals you need to meet from the Marina Manager, the Coast Guard, or Peel Regional Police.

It can take up to 90 days before your event to get these approvals.

During the EAAP, you’ll learn about the different types of forms you’ll need to fill out and submit for certain activities, such as putting up a large tent, serving food, or closing a road. You’ll also learn tips on how to host a safe, sustainable and successful event.

3. Review your permit and pay fees

Once the EAAP is complete, you will receive a permit with all the approved activities printed on it as “approved conditions of use.” Make sure to review it for accuracy.

Following your review, you can firm the permit by paying your fees before the event date. To make the payment, call our Customer Service Centre at 905-615-4100.

Rules for using parks

There are rules for using parks in the City of Mississauga. Please make sure to read the Parks By-law before your event to understand the rules related to camping, picnics, cycling, swimming, and pet and animal control.