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Special Events Application
Applications for 2026 Special Events will open on January 1, 2026
The City of Albany welcomes the use of City property for special events. With that use, however, is the expectation that events will follow the rules and regulations as discussed on this page.
Starting Out
Please plan ahead for your first or next special event. Special Event applications are handled on a first-come, first-serve basis and applications are expected to be submitted at least thirty (30) days in advance of the event to allow for the Office of the City Clerk to process the application. Submissions within 30 days of the event will be subject to a $40 Late Application fee.
Special Restrictions
- Parking on the grass in any city-owned park is expressly prohibited.
- All roadway parking rules and restrictions remain in effect unless otherwise permitted by the Albany Police Department.
- An Open Container permit is required for any Special Event where alcohol will be present. A copy of the permit must remain on-site for an inspector's review.
- Applicants must apply for the appropriate permits with the City of Albany, Albany County, and/or the State of New York for alcohol, merchandise, food vending, or other sampling or sale.
Do I need a Special Events permit?
A Special Event permit is required if your gathering has any one or more of the following elements:
- Twenty-five (25) or more participants
- Use of amplified sound
- Multiple street closures
- Presence of alcohol
- Erection of stages, tents, or inflatables
- Reservation of a specific location (see usage fees)
- Planned demonstration
Fees
| Application Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | ||
| Participants 1-25 | $0.00 (notice to the Clerk's Office) | |
| Participants 26-49 | $27.50 | |
| Participants 50-2499 | $55.00 | |
| Participants 2500 or more | $275.00 | |
| Washington Park Additional Surcharge Fee (50%) | ||
| Participants 1-25 | $0 | |
| Participants 26-49 | $13.75 ($27.50 + $13.75 = $41.25) | |
| Participants 50-2499 | $27.50 ($55.00 + $27.50 = $82.50) | |
| Participants 2500 or more | $137.50 ($275.00 + $137.50 = $412.50) | |
| Late Application Fee | $40.00 | |
| Usage Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Park Bowl & other park venues 4 Hour Permit ($25.00 per hour over 4 hours) (picnic areas may not be reserved) | Non-Profit/Resident | Commercial/Non-Resident | |
| Participants 1-49 | $30 | $60 | |
| Participants 50-150 | $50 | $100 | |
| Participants 151-300 | $100 | $200 | |
| Participants 301-500 | $200 | $350 | |
| Participants 501-2,500 | $300 | $500 | |
| Washington Park 4 Hour Permit ($25.00 per hour over 4 hours) (picnic areas may not be reserved) | Non-Profit/Resident | Commercial/Non-Resident | |
| Participants 1-49 | $75 | $150 | |
| Participants 50-150 | $125 | $200 | |
| Participants 151-300 | $200 | $350 | |
| Participants 301-500 | $300 | $500 | |
| Participants 501-2,500 | $500 | $1,000 | |
| Corning Preserve - Walks/Runs 4 Hour Permit (does not include Jennings Landing) ($25.00 per hour over 4 hours) Barricades or other closures may add additional costs | Non-Profit/Resident | Commercial/Non-Resident | |
| Participants 1-49 | $50 | $100 | |
| Participants 50-150 | $100 | $150 | |
| Participants 151-300 | $150 | $200 | |
| Participants 301+ | $200 | $300 | |
| Jennings Landing 4 Hour Permit (includes amphitheater and path) ($25.00 per hour over 4 hours) Fee includes the use of the restrooms on or around May 15 to October 1 | Non-Profit/Resident | Commercial/Non-Resident | |
| Participants 50-200 | $300 | $500 | |
| Participants 201-500 | $500 | $800 | |
| Participants 501-1,000 | $750 | $1100 | |
| Participants 1,000+ | $1000 | $1500 | |
| Washington Park Lake House 4 Hour Permit (Capacity level dependent upon event type) Fee includes the use of the restrooms on or around May 15 to October 1 | Non-Profit | ||
| Participants 1-100 | $250 | ||
| Participants 101-150 | $300 | ||
| Participants 151-300 | $500 | ||
| Six Mile Waterworks Pavilion (picnic areas may not be reserved) The Pavilion capacity is approximately 20. Max capacity for the area is approximately 75. Bathrooms close October 15th and reopen April 15th. | Non-Profit/Resident | Commercial/Non-Resident | |
| $100 | $200 | ||
| Block Parties/Street Closures Fees are per day | Non-Profit/Resident | Commercial/Non-Resident | |
| First Block | $50 | $100 | |
| Each Additional Block | $75 | $150 | |
| Additional Service Fees | |
|---|---|
| Police and Public Safety Fees | If Albany Police Department services are needed, a fee will be calculated and provided to the applicant prior to the event. |
| Fire & Emergency Services Fees | If Albany Fire Department services are needed, a fee will be calculated and provided to the applicant prior to the event. |
| Department of General Services & City Equipment Services Fees | If Albany Department of General Services services and/or equipment are needed, a fee will be calculated and provided to the applicant prior to the event. |
Process
If your event requires a Special Event permit based on the above criteria, or if you are uncertain and wish to confirm, please contact the Office of the City Clerk by email at clerkinfo@albanyny.gov or by phone at 518-434-5090. Any costs incurred promoting or marketing an event prior to the issuance of an approved City of Albany Special Event permit or changes/modifications to the event from the City of Albany and/or the Mayor's Office of Special Events and other City of Albany departments is at the sole risk and expense of the Event Organizer/Applicant. At events where trash is generated, the Event Organizer/Applicant is responsible for providing recycling collection.
- Choose a specific location and date for your event. You are encouraged to choose an alternative location and/or date in the event that your first choice is not available. Submitting a Special Event application with fewer than 30 days to the event will make that application be subject to a $40 Late Application fee. All applicable fees must be paid prior to consideration of an application.
- Complete all sections of the City of Albany Special Event/Facility Use Application. All proposed activities and events are subject to the approval of the City of Albany Special Events Committee. Submission of an application does not grant a Special Event permit or confirmation that the event can be conducted as planned.
- While your application is under review, you will be informed of any remaining fees that must be paid along with any additional documentation requirements. The City of Albany reserves the rights to require additional information or documentation regarding the applicant, applicant's company, sponsoring company/organization, cosponsors, event participants, event vendors, event activities, or the event itself. Moreover, the City of Albany may postpone approval of Special Event permits until receipt of additional requested information or documentation. Failure to submit requested information or documentation in a timely manner may be cause for denial of your permit.
- All events that need Albany Fire Department/EMS standby services for emergency responders will be subject to a $200 fee per hour billed separately through the Albany Fire Department.
- Some applicants may be required to submit documents to satisfy insurance requirements. A Certificate of General Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 naming the City of Albany as "additional insured" is required, or $2,000,000 if the event involves inflatables. Also included should be the set-up and tear-down dates. Your permit will not be issued until the Certificate of Insurance has been received and approved. If you are planning to hold an event at Six Mile Waterworks Pavilion you will need to provide insurance naming both the City of Albany and Albany Water Board as additionally insured as additional insured on a primary and non-contributing basis on your General Certificate of Liability Insurance for $1,000,000.
- Applicants are required to inform the Office of the City Clerk in writing of any and all amendments to the original application and/or cancellation prior to the event day.
- Once all of the requirements have been fulfilled, including receipt of all documents and final payment, a Special Event permit will be issued if and only if the Special Events Committee approves the application (event) within 15-20 business days, unless otherwise stated.
- ALL APPLICANTS are required to submit documents to satisfy insurance requirements. A Certificate of General Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 naming the City of Albany as "additional insured" is required, or $2,000,000 if the event involves inflatables. Also, included should be the name of event, set-up, and break-down dates. Your permit will not be issued until the Certificate of Insurance has been received and approved.
7. Applicants are required to inform the City Clerk's Office in writing of any and all amendments to the original application and/or cancellation prior to the event day.
8. Once all of the requirements have been fulfilled, including receipt or all documents and full payment, a Special Event Permit will be issued if the Special Events Committee has approved the Application (event) with 15-20 business days, unless otherwise stated.
9. Please note: Costs incurred promoting and marketing events prior to the issuance of an approved City of Albany Special Event Permit, and changes/modifications relative to the event from the City of Albany and/or the Mayor's Office of Special Events and other City of Albany departments is at the sole expense and risk of the Event Organizer and/or Applicant. The applicant is also required to provide recycling to attendees for events where trash is generated.
10. Please note: the City of Albany's hydraulic stage is not available for any Special Events. Applicants must make accommodations for their own stage.
Cancellation
Special Event cancellations or cancellations of requested services must be made in writing ten (10) days prior to the event. Failure to provide written verification may result in the sponsor(s) being required to reimburse the City of Albany for the agreed upon services.
Disclaimers and Notices
- Event Organizers/Applicants are solely responsible for costs incurred for City services rendered for each event.
- The City of Albany is unable to provide amenities such as port-a-johns/portable washrooms, tables, chairs, or medical services with the exception of EMS. The applicant is required to secure port-a-johns/portable washrooms, chairs, trash boxes, and any medical needs for the event at the applicant's expense. The applicant is also required to provide recycling to attendees for events where trash is generated. Failure to adequately provide such amenities could result in the event applicant(s) or coordinator(s) inability to hold future events in the City of Albany.
- Certificates of Insurance must be delivered to: City Clerk's Office, 24 Eagle Street, Room 202, Albany, NY 12207. The certificate must evidence General Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 (without inflatables) or $2,000,000 (with inflatables) and name the City of Albany as an "additional insured."