Are you organizing a local festival, sporting event or other community event? Make Event Services your FIRST call!
For Sporting Events, contact Event Services Representative: Trisha Heino, Sport Development Coordinator
(807) 631-6135 | trisha.heino@thunderbay.ca
For Festival Events, including Charity Walks, contact Event Services Representative: Catherine Wilson, Community & Event Development Coordinator
(807) 629-7098 | catherine.wilson@thunderbay.ca
Your Event Services Representative will guide you through municipal requirements and let you know all about the services available from various City departments.
Do you require a Park Permit or a Special Event License?
| Special Event License (SEL) |
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| Park Permit |
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(Scroll down for required Permits info. and Parks Permit Application & Reservations contact info.)
Special Event License Applications
Download PDF fillable printable forms:
Special Event License Application 2025
City of Thunder Bay Event Insurance form
NEW 2025 Updates:
- "Temporary Street Closure" fee is now $35.00
- Parks delivery fee is now $286.00 + HST per single trailer load. One trailer load can hold max. 8 picnic tables, 4 garbage cans and 4 "Parks" green wooden barricades (for parking lots and City parks use). For Road Closures, contact Event Services to book your required orange wooden barricades. Parks Delivery service is provided for not-for-profit events occurring on City property, subject to availability, summer bookings only.
- For more info. on green event planning initiatives, please go to EcoSuperior's Green Event Planning website.
Submission Deadlines: Application packages should be submitted to your Event Services Representative at least 10 weeks prior to the event date. Applications submitted less than 60 days before event date, are not guaranteed to be processed on time. However, your Event Services Representative will always endeavour to assist late submissions when able.
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Submission options for your SEL Application |
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Email PDF copies: to the designated Event Services Representative (see contact info. at the top of page) Drop off in-person: at the Community Services Administration Building, Pool 6, Prince Arthur's Landing Mail: single-sided printed copy to: Box 800, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5K4 Att: Event Services, Pool 6 |
| Payment options for SEL Application fees, such as cleaning deposits for events with food vendors ($500), multi-event day City stage rentals ($500) and street closure fee requests ($35) |
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Pay over the phone: call the Revenue Processing Coordinator at (807) 625-3691 between the hours of 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday. Payments can be made over the phone, via credit card only Pay in person: call or email: Revenue Processing Coordinator to make a payment appt. to pay at Pool 6, same hours as indicated above |
| Payment options for Equipment Loans and Rentals (scroll down to view our Equipment section) |
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Pay over the phone: Pool 6 Reception Desk, located on the upper level of the at Community Services, Administration Building, Pool 6, Prince Arthur's Landing. Payments can be taken between the hours of 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday. Call ahead at: (807) 625-3836 via credit card only, please contact Pool 6 Reception Desk at (807) 625-3836 or call Revenue Processing Coordinator (807) 625-369 |
| Payment options for City Staging Rentals |
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contact your Event Services Representative |
Permits
- Burning permits, fireworks and pyrotechnic display permits
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit requirements for food handling at events
- Licensing & Enforcement for food vendors. All food vendors must be licensed to serve food at public events taking place in the City of Thunder Bay. Please ensure your food vendors have a valid license and forward copies to your Event Services Representative. Food Vendors can operate with a Refreshment Vehicle License (RV) or Eating Establishment, Catering and/or Food Shop License (EE).
- In addition, licensed food vendors, who currently hold a valid RV or EE license, must also ask for permission from MES to operate as a "pop-up" vendor at an event. Please email your requests to: Municipal Licensing & Enforcement or phone: (807) 577-MLEO (6536)
- Liquor licences are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Event organizers must also adhere to the City of Thunder Bay Municipal Alcohol Policy.
- A building permit is required for tents and stages larger than 20'x30'. Please contact the Building Division at (807) 625- 2574 or visit in-person at the Development Servcies Office, Victoriaville Civic Centre, 2nd flor, 111 Syndicate Ave. South, Thunder Bay, ON.
Park Permit Application and Park Reservations
To book a City Park for small events and/or to request a Park Permit Application, email the Facility Booking Coordinator at: parkbookings@thunderbay.ca or call (807) 625-2941
Equipment Loans and Rentals
Organizing a not-for-profit event? You can borrow various equipment items from Event Services. We are located far South end of Prince Arthur's Landing in the Community Services Administration Building, lower level, Pool 6. Please book your arrival times 2 weeks in advance with your Event Services Representative. Equipment appts. are scheduled Monday through Friday. Availability is subject to first come, first serve! Note: Event organizers must arrange for their own transport of equipment.
Items Rented for a Fee (charges apply for event dates only) |
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Free Items |
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Workshops and networking events
"Volunteer Management" Workshop |
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Learn how the Volunteer Management Cycle can benefit your event's volunteer recruitment. Stay tuned for more info.. |
Project SoundCheck Training for Festival Organizers |
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Project SoundCheck™ is a sexual assault prevention project first introduced in Ottawa in 2015. Research found that approximately 25% of sexual assault cases in Ottawa in 2013 occurred at large events. The Crime Prevention Council, Sexual Abuse Centre Thunder Bay and the City of Thunder Bay have teamed up to bring Project SoundCheck to our community. Sexual Abuse Centre Thunder Bay staff are offering Project SoundCheck training for festival and event organizers, board members, staff and volunteers. Interested in a special training session just for your group? Call the Sexual Abuse Centre Thunder Bay at (807) 345-0894. |
Sport Event Networking Evenings |
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A Sport Event Networking Evening is held annually. Watch for details for upcoming events. |
Thunder Bay Festivals Network Meetings |
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The Recreation & Culture Division brings together the organizers of Thunder Bay's major festivals once or twice a year to discuss issues and look at ways to collaborate. Next meeting to be held in the Fall of 2025. Please contact (807) 629-7098 for more info.. |
Event support and services
Funding |
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The Event Development Grant provides funding for groups hosting championships, first-time tournaments and festivals. Bidding expenses are also eligible. The Street Event Grant assists community groups staging sport tourism events taking place on City streets. Contact Event Services to ensure your group's eligibility or to answer any questions. |
Event Calendar |
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List your event in the City's comprehensive listing of sports championships, festivals and other major events. Selected events also appear in other publications. |
Consultation |
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Recreation & Culture Division staff will meet with your not-for-profit group to provide advice on various aspects of event planning and bid preparation. Call (807) 629-7098 for assistance. |
Bid Assistance |
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Considering a bid for a provincial, national or world championship? Email our Tourism Development Officer or call (807) 621-4257 for information on how Tourism Thunder Bay can assist. |
Recycling Services and Green Events |
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The City of Thunder Bay, through GFL Environmental will provide events with a portable recycling depot trailer or bins (4 foot square). A total of 10 bins are available at no charge. Contact GFL Environmental at (807) 577-0411 to reserve the trailer and/or bins a minimum of two weeks in advance.
Please call the ReThinking Waste Coordinator at (807) 624-2142 or email rethinkingwaste@ecosuperior.org for more info. or questions you may have about your event needs.
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Bus Charters |
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Thunder Bay Transit offers bus charters/tours within the City of Thunder Bay for groups and special events. It is recommended to make arrangements at least one month in advance. Note: Charters are temporarily suspended, due to staffing shortages. |
Planning Guide |
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Under construction. A Planning Guide specific to planning an event in Thunder Bay will be available soon. |
Information Packages for Visitors from outside of town |
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For welcome bags from Tourism Thunder Bay, contact your Event Services Representative. You will need to book in advance. Subject to availability. |
Invite the Mayor
Invite the Mayor to your event using our online request form.
Souvenirs
City of Thunder Bay souvenirs are available for purchase from the Office of the City Clerk manned desk, which is located at the back of the lobby at City Hall. Items include: medallions, lapel pins, mugs, and stickers. Email the Office of the City Clerk or call 807-625-2230 (ext. 9) for more details.
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