Guidance

Planning an outdoor event, street party or brand activation in Lambeth? Our comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the entire process, from understanding the necessary documentation to estimating costs.

Detailed Policies & Protocols
Find all the specifics in our Lambeth Events Policy 2025 and further guidance below on the regulations, legislation and requirements for planning outdoor events and activities in Lambeth.

Application Process
All event and brand activation applications must be submitted online through EventApp. Street parties have a separate application process, please follow the Street Party link to find the guidance and application form.

General Guidance
The information on these pages provides an overview, but requirements vary depending on your event size and nature. For tailored advice, please contact us directly.

Terms & Conditions
Ensure you’ve reviewed our Terms and Conditions of Hire before completing your application.

Let us help make your event a success, while respecting the community and environment.

Considerations for Event Planning

crowds standing at live music event with sun setting behind

Choosing your Location

Lambeth offers variety of parks and open spaces ideal for events. Explore details like capacity, access, and facilities. Consider infrastructure impact on capacity and assess transport links, setup time, and nearby events to ensure the location meets your needs.

tray of prawns and chilli in dish for service

Permissions

You’ll need an event permit to host an outdoor event in Lambeth which takes a minimum of three months, but we will also instruct and guide you in how to obtain the necessary permissions depending on the scope of your event, including licensing, building control, food health & safety, road closures, parking suspensions and planning permission.

person smiling and dancing in green checked shirt and sunglasses

Understanding Costs

Event costs in Lambeth depend on event type, size, and nature. Fees include application, administration, permit, and infrastructure charges, plus a park investment levy and damage deposit. Additional costs may cover waste management, safety measures, insurance, and utilities. For details, consult the Lambeth Events Policy 2020-2025 or contact EventLambeth for assistance.

Preparing your Documents

You'll need to submit essential documentation, including an Event Management Plan (EMP), Risk Assessment, and any supporting plans (e.g. noise and waste management, traffic, or security). EventLambeth provides templates and guidance to help you meet requirements but applicants must ensure all documents are thorough and submitted on time for approval.

Submitting your Application

Contact EventLambeth for pre-application advice and venue availability. When submitting your event application, review the Application Timeline in the Lambeth Events Policy to determine the required amount of time to process your application based on the size of your event, and read the Terms and Conditions of Hire carefully. Use EventApp to submit your application. After submission, you’ll receive a payment link—ensure the correct fee is paid promptly to avoid application rejection.

Regulation, Policy and Legislation

EventLambeth Regulations, Policies and Guidance

In this section, we’ve gathered key legislation, regulations, policies, and guidance for event organisers when planning events in Lambeth’s parks, open spaces, streets, and highways.

Lambeth Events Strategy 2020-2025
This strategy defines the principles behind how we run events in the borough, focusing on their benefits, such as improving health, wellbeing, and providing social value through work experience, volunteering, and training for residents.
Lambeth Events Policy 2020-2025
This document outlines our event policies, protocols, timelines, charging framework, and provides useful templates to guide you through the event planning process.
Guidance for Control of Sound at Outdoor Events 2016
This provides details on sound limits, music noise levels, and monitoring guidelines for events held in parks, open spaces, and other outdoor venues across Lambeth.
EventLambeth Guidance for Animals at Events
We take animal welfare seriously. Event organisers must meet these guidelines as a minimum standard before approval is granted for events involving animals.
Assessing the Ecological Impact of Events
This briefing, provided by Lambeth Parks Service, helps evaluate the ecological impacts of events in parks and open spaces, with EventLambeth working closely with the Parks Service.
Lambeth Green Events Guide
Lambeth Council is dedicated to sustainable event management. All events, whether in parks, open spaces, highways, or indoor venues, must follow the Lambeth Green Events Guide.

The Purple Guide

Originally published by the Health & Safety Executive, the Purple Guide is designed to provide guidance for event organisers, suppliers, local authorities and others involved in the outdoor events industry. It is a vital resource when planning outdoor events because it provides comprehensive, practical guidance on health and safety, risk management, and legal requirements for outdoor events. It covers essential topics such as crowd management, emergency procedures, site safety, and technical aspects like staging and electrical setup. By following the Purple Guide, event organisers ensure that their events are not only compliant with regulations but also safe for attendees, staff, and performers. This helps minimise risks and create a well-organised, successful event. To access the guide, organisers must subscribe on The Purple Guide website.

Legislation

Below is a list of some of the key legislation that governs events in parks and open spaces. For further details on each act, links are provided by clicking below.