Street parties
Street parties are a great way to celebrate with neighbours to mark special events.
If you are planning a street party, here is some information you might need.
This information is about parties that groups of residents arrange.
Let us know
If you want hold a street party you need to let us know the basic details.
We can tell you about:
- safety issues
- licences you might need
- arranging road closures
Please fill in the online form at least ten weeks before your event:
Online event notification form
If you prefer you can print out the form and post it to us:
Event notification form [pdf document].
Insurance
You do not usually need to have public liability insurance for a street party.
We will let you know if insurance is a good idea once we have seen your plans.
Insurance can start at as little as £50.
You can split costs between residents.
You could hold a raffle or ask for donations to cover the costs.
Selling alcohol and playing music
Less than 500 in attendance
You will need to get a temporary event notice at least ten working days before your event.
You do not need an entertainment licence for recorded/live music or dancing between 8am and 11pm.
More than 500 in attendance
You will need to apply for a full premise licence.
You should allow two months for the application processing.
For more information see our licensing pages.
Food
If you and your neighbours are providing food for a street party you do not need to do anything.
Official food businesses do need to register with us, free of charge.
Mobile food traders that attend should:
- be registered
- have a valid street trading consent
Food made by you or your neighbours
Read our guide to food hygiene for catering volunteers.
We have advice if you are hosting a community barbecue or have a barbecue at your event.
Covid-19
Please be aware of the latest Coronavirus restrictions and advice.
See the government coronavirus webpages [external link].
Emergency access
You must make sure that emergency service vehicles are able to drive down the street at all times.
Street party or public event?
The main differences between a small street party and other public events are:
Street parties
- For residents/neighbours only
- Only publicised to residents
- Held in a quiet residential road
- Organised by a resident
- Normally don't need insurance
- No formal risk assessment needed
- No licences normally necessary
- Held between 8am and 11pm
Other public events
- Anyone can attend
- Publicised to everyone (in newspapers; social media etc)
- Held in a building or parks for example.
- Have an official event organiser
- Insurance needed
- Written risk assessment normally required
- Licence usually needed if more than 500 people are attending