Events and festivals
Brisbane is a vibrant and creative city, where thousands of events and festivals are held each year, to bring communities and cultures together.
The Events Local Law 2022 requires organisers of events that meet certain criteria to obtain an event permit. Council developed the local law to provide a balance between the delivery of events and maintaining the amenity of areas.
Do I need a permit?
A permit may be required for some events that expect 1000 or more people. It is required for all events that expect 2000 or more people, and for any event that involves motorsports or firearms.
Exemptions
Exemptions
There are several types of events that are exempt from this Local Law:
Events that are:
- a private party
- a public assembly under the Peaceful Assembly Act 1992
- expecting less than 1000 people to attend
- expecting less than 2000 people to attend and does not contain any assessable risks
- businesses performing their day-to-day operations, which includes gyms, bowling alleys, swimming pools, churches, indoor sports centres and theatres.
Events at purpose-built facilities:
- at a facility listed in Schedule 1 of the Major Sports Facilities Regulation 2014
- at a venue that is regulated under Council’s Amplified Music Venues Local Law 2006
- at Brisbane Showgrounds indoor facility (600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills)
- at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (Glenelg Street, South Brisbane)
- by a school within the school grounds
- under any arrangement or agreement, that expressly permits the undertaking of the event, entered into by Council with any person on any terms and conditions acceptable to Council.
- a sporting event at a sporting facility, unless it involves a firearm activity or a motorsport activity
- a thoroughbred, harness or greyhound race meeting or training activity / at a purpose built facility.
Types of event permits
The permit required for an event is determined by the activities occurring at the event, and permits fall into 2 categories, assessable and self-assessable.
Self-assessable event
Is an event with at least 2000 people, and:
- does not operate for more than 5 consecutive days or 30 non-consecutive days
- does not include firearm activities
- does not include motorsport activities
- does not involve an outdoor musical performance where the sound level is expected to exceed 95dBC when measured 15 metres from any speaker
- commences after 7am on any day (excluding bump-in times)
- finishes before 10pm on any day (excluding bump-out times)
- does not involve the service or consumption of alcohol
- does not involve road closures or traffic management
- does not have an expected attendance of more than 5000 people at any given time
- does not have an expected attendance of more than 10,000 people over the duration of the event.
Find out more about the requirements and fees for self-assessable event permits.
Assessable event
Is an event that:
- expects 2000 or more people for an event over 5 consecutive days or 30 non-consecutive days
- has firearm activities
- has motorsport activities
Or an event with 1000 or more people that includes any of the following:
- an outdoor musical performance where if the sound pressure level is expected to exceed 95dBC when measured 15 metres from any speaker
- commences before 7am on any day (excluding bump-in times)
- finishes after 10pm on any day (excluding bump-out times)
- involves the service or consumption of alcohol
- involves road closures or traffic management
- has an expected attendance of more than 5000 people at any given time
- has an expected attendance of more than 10,000 people over the duration of the event.
Find out more about the requirements and fees for assessable event permits.
Not sure which permit applies to your event?
Use our online tool to check which type of permit might be needed for your event.
If you require further assistance, call the Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263).
Event permit customer guide
Council has developed guidelines to help event organisers understand the application process and the documentation that may be required to support your event permit application. The guide contains useful information around identifying a suitable location for your event and other approvals that may be required.
- Download the Event Permit Customer Guidelines (Word - 1.4Mb).
Events Local Law 2022
Council improved the way events are regulated in Brisbane with the creation of the Events Local Law 2022. This local law commenced on 30 June 2023.