Book a Public Outdoor Event

Nottingham City's parks and open spaces can be hired as a venue for your event

Whether you're new to organising events in Nottingham or returning,  our Events team can offer practical advice and guidance to help support your event. 

Note: Please follow the links for all enquiries relating to booking Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey

How To Apply to Hold an Event 

There are 5 steps you'll need to complete before your event can go ahead

More information on holding an outdoor event and completing our process can be found in our guidance information available in the download section at the bottom of this page.

We have put together some basic time frames to help ensure you have allowed appropriate time for the planning of your event. These will help you meet the necessary time frame for a licence, permit applications and notification processes and will enable us to support you with your event application.

We advise the following notice periods depending on the size and nature of your event:

We recommend that you contact us as early as possible in your planning process, preferably as soon as you have an idea about your event.

The Council runs and supports several major events throughout the year and applications are dealt with on a first come first serve basis.

Stage 1 Initial Enquiry 

As soon as you have an idea for your event, please submit an initial enquiry via the initial enquiry form and we will respond to you within 5 working days. 
Downloadable Maps of our sites are available at the bottom of this page.

Stage 2 Completing the Application

If the venue is available and suitable you will need to complete the Online Outdoor Event Application Form.

NOTE: This step should only be completed once an initial enquiry form has been submitted and acknowledged.

Stage 3 Reservation Stage

In assessing your application we will consider all the information needed to deliver a safe and appropriate event and will advise you of the outcome of your application within 4 weeks.

If your event is approved we will confirm your booking in writing, outlining any further requirements. The event reservation paperwork must be signed and returned to us within 5 working days of receipt. Please ensure you have read our Standard Requirements for Outdoor Event Bookings.

Once at this stage, if you have catered at your event please complete the catering forms.

Catering summary form for event organisers

Outdoor catering questionnaire for all food vendors

Stage 4 Permission Granted

Permission will be granted in writing once we are satisfied that you have met with the Terms and Conditions for Event Licences on Parks and Public Spaces and complied with any items set out in your Event Reservation letter. 

Stage 5 Post Event Evaluation

Once the event has been completed, our site staff will assess the state of the land and determine any reinstatement costs that might be required to ensure the land is returned to the state it was in before the event entered the site.

More Information

If you require support or have any questions, please contact us at outdoorevent.bookings@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.