Special Events

Special Events that take place on property owned or controlled by the City of Canandaigua (including, but not limited to, parks, streets and sidewalks) require permits. New Policies and Procedures for the approval of Special Events were adopted by the City Council, effective July 3, 2008. Applications must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the scheduled event.

Many special events take place throughout the year in our community. A committee of volunteers works year-round to plan family-oriented events such as the Fourth of July celebration and the New Year's Eve "Finishing Touch." Other special events are sponsored and organized by local nonprofit organizations as fundraisers. Examples of such events are the annual Downtown Arts Festival, the Waterfront Art Festival, auto shows, and numerous "walks and runs" along City streets and sidewalks.

Organizations planning to hold festivals, parades, races/walks, block parties, or other kinds of specials events should contact the Recreation Supervisor at 585-396-5080 for information on the process for obtaining any required City approvals. For your convenience, the forms may be downloaded and printed. If the answer to any of the questions on the first page of the form is 'yes', then the Application for a Special Event must be completed, and the event will require approval by City Council.

Resources & Forms