Frequently Asked Questions

You can view a list of available parks and open spaces on our Venues page. 

An Event Permit is required for all events in Lambeth parks and open spaces. Lambeth manages 44 parks and open spaces that can be used for events. You must apply for and Event Permit before hosting any event.

However, there are activities that don’t require a permit: 

• Organised walks/runs without infrastructure (unless on road)
• Family or friends’ picnics in the park (gazebos are not permitted and if your event includes a large group or additional activities like music, we recommend contacting EventLambeth to ensure the event complies with regulations or your picnic may be required to disperse) 
• Casual sports games (You may need to arrange a Parks Sports Booking).
  
  Even if a permit isn’t required, all activities must comply with Park Byelaws. 

If you are planning a Street Party you do not need an event permit. However, you do need to apply to EventLambeth. See Street Party Guidance for more information. 
 

If you are planning a Brand Activation you need a permit. However, the processes are slightly different to allow for shorter notice period. See Brand Activations for more information. 

To apply, submit your application on EventApp. 

For small events (fewer than 1,000 attendees), a minimum of three months’ notice is required. Medium events (up to 5,000 attendees) need four to six months’ notice, while large events (over 5,000 attendees) require six to twelve months’ notice subject to the scope of the event. Major events require 12 months’ notice. 

Check out our Guidance page for comprehensive information, but the key resource for navigating the application process is the Lambeth Event Policy 2020-2025. If you are a new customer, please call us on 020 7926 6207. We will be happy to discuss your event plans and tailor our guidance to you. 

Private filming and photography are permitted. Always be mindful and respect others, particularly young people and children. For commercial purposes, please refer to our Film Lambeth website for detailed guidance.

The Park Byelaws prohibit the flying of any form of drone or power-driven aircraft.

Yes, but you’ll need an Event Permit and you must give EventLambeth at least three months' notice. Apply here. 

The Park Byelaws prohibit Cooking and BBQs Any food preparation or service requires an Event Permit. 

EventLambeth will assist organisers by coordinating with the Food Health & Safety team to review supplier documentation and ensure compliance with food safety standards. 

The cost of an event permit is determined based on a framework detailed on page 54 of the Lambeth Event Policy.

The Events Team do not provide direct/grant funding for events. However, we are committed to supporting community-focused events in Lambeth. Commercial events subsidise the costs of community events.  This enables us to offer discounted fees for select groups, ensuring that events bringing people together in Lambeth are accessible to all. Registered charities, community events, and Friends of Parks groups may be eligible for these reduced rates, fostering a vibrant, inclusive event scene across the borough.

EventLambeth do not provide event equipment for hire, apart from a Power-Bank which may be hired to provide a limited, temporary, electricity supply at small events. For further information, please call 020 7926 6207. 

Lambeth offers three bandstands for hire in Clapham Common, Ruskin Park, and Myatt’s Fields Park. These can be used for performances and rehearsals. Contact us for more information. 

Playing of Music by playing a musical instrument, using amplification equipment, or singing are not permitted without approved by the Council through an event application. Refer to the Park Byelaws for more details. 

EventLambeth offer practical advice on basic event health and safety. For detailed guidelines, visit the Health and Safety Executive and refer to their Events Safety Guide. 

Organisers should also refer to the Purple Guide, which 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 providing 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- planned event. To access the guide, organisers must subscribe on the Purple Guide website.

For medium to major events, organisers are expected to appoint a dedicated Health & Safety Officer.

Yes, While the process for brand activations is typically shorter than for events, it is essential that we are contacted in advance to ensure everything is properly planned and compliant with local regulations, and to issue a permit. Brands and organisations found to be activating without a licence will be pursued the organiser for fees retrospectively. All brand activities, including promotions, displays, or product sampling, must be reviewed and approved by EventLambeth. This helps us ensure safety, public access, and the proper use of public spaces. Please contact us to discuss your proposal and begin the application process. 

Yes, you can serve or sell food and drinks at your event, but an event permit is required. You must inform EventLambeth of your food and drink plans and submit the following documents at least six weeks before your event:

• A list of traders
• Completed Food Traders Questionnaires for each trader
• Gas or electrical safety certificates (if applicable)
• Public liability insurance certificates (minimum £5M cover)
• Food hygiene training certificates for staff
• Menus or product descriptions, including an Allergen Chart/Matrix

Some regulated activities may also require a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) or Premises Licence (see below). EventLambeth can provide further advice and guidance regarding your specific requirements. 

Yes, you can serve or sell food and drinks at your event, but an event permit is required. You must inform EventLambeth of your food and drink plans and submit the following documents at least six weeks before your event:

• A list of traders
• Completed Food Traders Questionnaires for each trader (download here)
• Gas or electrical safety certificates (if applicable)
• Public liability insurance certificates (minimum £5M cover)
• Food hygiene training certificates for staff
• Menus or product descriptions, including an Allergen Chart/Matrix

Some regulated activities may also require a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) or Premises Licence (see below). EventLambeth can provide further advice and guidance regarding your specific requirements.  

If you or any food traders at your event wish to sell alcohol, you must apply for the appropriate licence. For events with 499 attendees or less, you may apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN). For events with 500 or more attendees, a Premises Licence is required. Follow these links to begin this process.  If you require further guidance please to liaise with the EventLambeth team.

Temporary Event Notices (TENs) may be used for small-scale, one-off or occasional events, such as community, school and charity fundraising events.

These are events at which you:

• intend to sell or supply alcohol at any time
• provide regulated entertainment at any time, or
• sell hot food/drink between 11.00pm and 5.00am.

A Premises Licence is required for:

• the sale by retail of alcohol
• the supply of alcohol by a club to club members and guests
• the provision of regulated entertainment, including plays, films, indoor sports, music and dancing
• the provision of entertainment facilities
• the sale of late-night refreshments (hot food or drink supplied between 11.00pm and 5.00am). 

If you plan to install Temporary Demountable Structures (TDS) (e.g., marquees, stages, or scaffolding) please seek guidance from the assigned Event Officer. There may be additional charges for safety inspections of these structures as required by building regulations. 

Where your total number of event days, when accumulated with other events at the same location, exceed 28 days within the same calendar year, you may require planning permission. subject to notice and application timelines, EventLambeth will endeavour to include your event in a collated Planning Application. In some circumstances event organisers may be required to submit their own planning applications. 

Yes, you may apply to close a road for your event. You will be required to apply for a Traffic Order, a legal document required to close a road.

The process requires the organiser to provide details of the event, including date, location, and proposed road closure times. You will need to work closely with Council officers to ensure that the closure is safely managed and that adequate signage, barriers, and traffic diversions are in place.

The application for a Traffic Order should be submitted at least 12 weeks before the event to allow sufficient time for consultation with local authorities, residents, and emergency services. There may also be associated costs for the Traffic Order and any necessary traffic management. To meet statutory deadlines, organisers should make contact 5-6 months prior to the date of the event. 

For more detailed guidance on the process and to begin your application, please contact us or visit the traffic order guidance on the Council's website. 

Yes, you may apply to suspend parking bays. The EventLambeth Team can guide you through the process. 

Applications should be made at least 6-8 weeks prior to the date of the event to ensure sufficient time for public notification, consultation with local authorities, and to arrange appropriate signage and enforcement. 

Charges apply, and costs may vary depending on the location and duration of the suspension. 

For more details and to begin the application process, please contact EventLambeth or visit the parking suspension guidance on the Council's website. 

Even if your activity, gathering, protest, march or demonstration doesn't fit the definition of an event, we strongly recommend contacting EventLambeth. This allows us to check for any potential clashes with other events and ensure there are no impacts on local services. We are here to support and provide guidance and can direct you to other relevant Council services as required. 

 

 

For events that do not fit the definition of an event but involves an assembly of people, public demonstrations, or other activities that may impact public spaces, EventLambeth still requests the following information to ensure public safety and effective coordination: 

1. An Overview of the Proposed Activity – A description of what the activity involves and where it will take place.
2. A Risk Assessment – Detailing any potential risks and how they will be managed.
3. Public Liability Insurance evidence of Public Liability Insurance (minimum indemnity £5 Million)

Lambeth Council host events to ensure our parks and open spaces are widely used and serve the entire community. Events bring people together and provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and social experiences.

The objectives outlined in the Lambeth Events Strategy are designed to create a borough-wide programme that celebrates our rich cultural diversity and supports a variety of community initiatives. Through this approach, we aim to offer events that appeal to all ages, interests, and backgrounds. By delivering a diverse and inclusive event programme, we seek to enhance community engagement, support local businesses, and provide opportunities for education and development. 

In addition to offering an exciting calendar of events, we ensure that these activities are aligned with the council’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. Ultimately, our goal is to use events as a platform to foster a sense of pride, connection, and belonging within the borough.

If you have cause for complaint, please contact us directly at EventLambeth. We will endeavour to address your concerns as quickly as possible. 

 Should you wish to escalate your complaint to Lambeth Council's formal complaint process, you may do so via the complaint section on the Council's website or call 020 7926 9694.Officers will review your complaint and take appropriate action.

If you are disturbed by noise from an event, please contact the On-call Events Officer –

Telephone:  020 7926 9793.

The Officer can contact the event organiser directly and will seek to address the problem promptly.

 

Alternatively, you may contact the Lambeth Noise Team –

• Telephone: 020 7926 5000
• Daytime (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)
• Out of Hours:
  • Tuesday & Wednesday: 6pm – 2am
  • Thursday to Saturday: 7pm – 3am
  • Sunday: 6pm – 2am

Major events   publish details of dedicated community phone lines on their website usually under the 'community' section. 

For event-related issues outside normal working hours, please contact the On-Call Event Officer 020 7926 9793. This line is available to assist with event-related concerns during the scheduled event times when they may be impacting residents, including. evenings and weekends.

If the event is unpermitted (an event for which no application has been submitted, or Event Permit granted, and EventLambeth are unaware we may be unable to support you. However, we will guide residents to appropriate team who may offer support. Please visit the community safety page on the Council's website to report your concerns.