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?
A Special Event License (SEL) is for Events that are:
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- 500+ attendees per event day, held on City property
- may include a road closure request on City property
- 3000+ attendees per event day, held on private property
A Park Permit is for Events that are:
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- 500 or less attendees per event day, held in a City park
- does not include a road closure request
Licenses and Permit Applications
CLICK HERE for the latest version of the 2025 SEL Application in PDF fillable printable form.
NEW 2025 Updates:
- 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 a copy of the new PDF fillable City of Thunder Bay Insurance form CLICK HERE.
SEL applications, along with supporting documents, should be submitted to your Event Services Representative at least 10 weeks prior to the event.
Ways to submit your 2025 SEL application package:
- Email pdf copies to your Event Services Representative (see top of page for contact info.)
- 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
To pay for SEL application fees, such as cleaning deposits, street closure fees or equipment loan rentals, the options are:
- For cleaning deposits, application or street closure fees, please 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. Or make an appt. to pay in person.
- For equipment loan rentals:
- Pay in person at upper level reception at the Community Services, Administration Building, Pool 6, Prince Arthur's Landing. Payments can be taken between the hours of 9am-4pm Monday through Friday.
- Pay over the phone with credit card only, please contact Pool 6 reception at (807) 625-3836 or call Revenue Processing Coordinator (807) 625-3691.
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
- 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 when applicable, forward copies to your Event Services Representative. Food Vendors can operate with a Refreshment Vehicle License, Eating Establishment and/or Food Shop License.
- Refreshment Vehicle License Application (Food Trucks)
- Eating Establishment and/or Food Shop License Application Note: Eating Establishment licensees may be required to obtain approval to operate as a "pop-up" vendor at a City festival event. To find out more info., please contact Licensing & Enforcement at (807) 577-MLEO (6536) for more details.
- 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.
Equipment
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 at the Office of the City Clerk (3rd Floor - City Hall). Items include: lapel pins, mugs, flags and stickers. Please note: City plates are a presentation item to mark significant milestones and are not available for purchase. Email the Office of the City Clerk or call (807) 625-2230 for more details.
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