A permit is required to use public parks for events in the City of New Orleans. The Department of Parks and Parkways is responsible for the following parks: Jackson Square, Brechtel, Washington Square, Mississippi River Heritage Park, Lafayette Square, Coliseum Square, Armstrong Park and other smaller parks. City Park and Audubon Park also have jurisdiction over parks within the City.
Restrictions
- Jackson Square is not available for major events (except wedding ceremonies) due to restricted use policy.
View Jackson Square event rules and regulations.
- The following are prohibited in any Parks and Parkways park under any circumstances:
- Events related to partisan political activities
- Frying
- Seafood or crawfish boiling
- Glass bottles or containers
- Parking on the grass
- Water activities and related set-ups
- Excessively loud music
- Explicit lyrics
- The following items may be allowed, except in Jackson Square, with proper written approval of the Director of Parks and Parkways:
- Portable toilets
- Tents of the pop-up variety (no staking allowed)
- Booths
- Food/beverage sales
- Inflatable games
- Stages
- DJs or live bands
- For major events, all litter must be picked up, bagged and completely removed from the park immediately following the event.
Lafayette Square Restriction
Lafayette Square is located in the Central Business District of New Orleans and is adjacent to many offices and businesses: therefore, amplified activity in Lafayette Square will be limited to Friday beginning at 4:00 pm through Sunday ending at 9:00 pm
Fees
- A non-refundable $50.00 processing deposit is required before space for event is reserved
- Non-refundable usage fee and refundable Litter/Damage deposit due either immediately upon booking if there is less than 30 days before the event -or- 30 days after confirmation of booking
- Overtime fees for all parks are $50.00/hour
- In the event of rain, event rescheduling is allowed one (1) time and must be held within one year from the originally scheduled event date. No refund or reapplication of usage will be allowed.
Fees listed are base fees which will change depending on the specifics of the event
Festival & Major Event Base Fees
Usage fees listed are base fees which may increase depending on the elements, size, and scope of the event. Festival events and fees are considered separately on a case by case basis. Calculations are based on stage(s) and size, attendance, number of food booth and cooking stations, number of tents, number of merchandise or activity booths, bar stations, specific elements such as exhibition, competition, cooking, art or other demonstrations and impact on park structure and amenities. All festival and event organizers must make separate arrangements for their own electrical and parking needs. Usage Fees are for the park space only.
For Major events and Festivals, usage fees are non-refundable, even in case of rain and weather events. The organizer has up to one year to reschedule the event.
These fees only apply to the first hour requested , all additional hours will be priced at $125.00 per hour.
Parks
| Park |
Amount of Time |
Base Fee |
Non-Profit Fee |
Damage Deposit |
| Armstrong Park |
up to 4 hours |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Armstrong Park |
up to 8 hours |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Armstrong Park |
over 8 hours |
$1,500.00 |
$750.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Lafayette Square |
up to 4 hours |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Lafayette Square |
up to 8 hours |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Lafayette Square |
over 8 hours |
$1,500.00 |
$750.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Mississippi River Heritage Park |
up to 4 hours |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Mississippi River Heritage Park |
up to 8 hours |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Mississippi River Heritage Park |
over 8 hours |
$1,500.00 |
$750.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Neighborhood Park |
up to 4 hours |
$150.00 |
$75.00 |
$100.00 |
| Neighborhood Park |
up to 8 hours |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
$200.00 |
| Neighborhood Park |
over 8 hours |
$1,500.00 |
$750.00 |
$500.00 |
| Palmer Park |
up to 4 hours |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Palmer Park |
up to 8 hours |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Palmer Park |
over 8 hours |
$1,500.00 |
$750.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Washington Square |
up to 4 hours |
$500.00 |
$250.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Washington Square |
up to 8 hours |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Washington Square |
over 8 hours |
$1,500.00 |
$750.00 |
Based on Event Components |
| Recurring Event with Good Custodian discount rate (Event Series with at least 6 occurrences) |
per day |
$750.00 |
$750.00 |
Based on Event Components |
Wedding Fees
For weddings, usage fees are non-refundable even in the case of rain.
| Park |
Guests |
Usage |
Litter/Damage Deposit |
| Jackson Square |
2-25 |
$250.00 |
$100.00 |
| Jackson Square |
26-100 |
$500.00 |
$200.00 |
| Jackson Square |
101-200 |
$750.00 |
$300.00 |
| Jackson Square |
201 and above |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
| Armstrong Park |
2-25 |
$250.00 |
$100.00 |
| Armstrong Park |
26-100 |
$500.00 |
$200.00 |
| Armstrong Park |
101-200 |
$750.00 |
$300.00 |
| Armstrong Park |
201 and above |
$1,000.00 |
$500.00 |
| All Other Parkways Parks |
2-50 |
$125.00 |
$100.00 |
| All Other Parkways Parks |
51-100 |
$225.00 |
$200.00 |
| All Other Parkways Parks |
101-200 |
$325.00 |
$300.00 |
| All Other Parkways Parks |
201 and above |
$425.00 |
$500.00 |
NORD Parks and Rec Centers
NORDC parks and rec center usage fees vary. Please contact them at: 504-658-3080 or [email protected]
Required Documents
Submit all to the One Stop Shop, City Hall, 7th floor, 1300 Perdido St., New Orleans 70112
Note: Events require a walk-thru with Parkways personnel at least 30 days prior to the event.