There are thousands of events, festivals, celebrations, sporting events, foot and cycle races and gatherings that occur in Toronto which are classified as Special Events. These events animate public spaces, showcase Toronto’s cultural diversity, and contribute to the city’s vibrant neighbourhoods and main streets.
The City of Toronto’s Economic Development & Culture (EDC) division categorizes special events to further understand the scope, objective(s), impact and potential level of municipal support needed for a special event. Special events occurring in shared public realm spaces often require coordination with the City to ensure the safety of participants and Toronto residents and compliance with City bylaws.
A special event is a community, athletic, cultural, business or other type of unique activity, occurring for a limited or fixed duration (one-time, annual) and presented to a live audience, that impacts the City of Toronto by involving the use of, or having impact on, the public realm (owned, leased or controlled by the City of Toronto). Special events usually occur in the public realm but can sometimes ‘spill over’ from private property.
Activities that are part of a regular series or subscription are not deemed special events, unless they are an atypical activity outside the ordinary, e.g. a regular scheduled baseball game is not a special event, but the Championship Series is a special event. Also excluded are construction-related permitting and film permits.
There are a number of key criteria that can influence the character and impact of a special event. The first set of bullets focus mostly on the scale of the event. There are two additional criteria that can impact policy (characteristics of the proponent/organizer) and whether the event is gated (entry is controlled usually for liquor license or ticketing) or totally open to the public.
The City of Toronto uses six categories: Mega Events, A, B, C, D and Local Street & Community Event.
Duration: A minimum of two weeks up to six months
Frequency: Held every four years in rotating global locations
Number of venues, roads or sites: Unlimited (usually many across City and/or region)
Attendance: Unlimited (usually over 500,000)
Out-of-town attendance: Over 100,000 out-of-town draw
Quantity of City permits and/or approvals required: Unlimited (usually many)
Value of City services required: more than $1,000,000
Bidding process: Bid takes place on global scale, with significant international support and promotion required to be successful.
City coordination required: Production of event led by external organization or other orders of government. City leads local event coordination, including venues and logistics.
Infrastructure requirements: Purpose-built event facilities and significant levels of ancillary infrastructure, e.g. transit, housing, etc.
Measured benefits: Significant economic and business benefit, utilizes hotels city-wide, provides the City of Toronto with international media/branding opportunities via live broadcasting, and online, television, radio, or print advertising.
Examples: Olympic Games (winter or summer), World Expo, FIFA World Cup
Duration: One day to one month
Frequency: Not occurring annually or repeating within five years
Number of venues, roads or sites: Unlimited (usually many)
Attendance: Unlimited (usually over 200,000)
Out-of-town attendance: Over 50,000 out-of-town draw
Quantity of City permits and/or approvals required: Unlimited (usually many)
Value of City services required: More than $100,000
City coordination required: Multiple levels of government coordination and/or City-wide divisional coordination
Measured benefits: High economic and business benefit, utilizes three or more hotels, provides the City of Toronto with media/branding opportunities via online, television, radio, or print advertising
Examples: World Youth Days and Papal Visit, 100th Grey Cup Festival
Toronto has been chosen to play host to a World Youth Days attracting over 100,000 people to our City. Events will be held across the city over a week period and involve major dignitaries, a parade of thousands and an open air mass.
Based on this information, the group would be required to:
Duration: Up to one month
Frequency: Often annual
Number of venues, roads or sites: Up to five locations
Attendance: 20,000 to 200,000
Out-of-town attendance: Minimum 25 per cent out-of-town
Quantity of City permits and/or approvals required: five to 10
City coordination required: more than three City divisions
Value of City services required: Up to $100,000
Measured benefits: International, national and local media coverage, economic and business benefit, promotes the City of Toronto within the event’s marketing campaign
Examples: Ontario Dealers Honda Indy Toronto, Luminato, Pride Festival, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
An annual arts festival takes place over a two week period at interior and exterior venues throughout the city drawing participants and audience from around the world. The event has the support of corporate and government sponsors and portions are broadcast. Part of the festival involves closure of roads throughout the city for several days.
Based on this information, the group would be required to:
Duration: Up to five days
Frequency: Can be annual
Number of venues, roads or sites: Up to five locations
Attendance: 10,000 to 50,000
Out-of-town attendance: Minimum 10 per cent out-of-town
Quantity of City permits and/or approvals required: five to ten
City coordination required: Up to three City Divisions
Value of City services required: Up to $50,000
Measured benefits: Local media coverage, economic and business benefit, promotes the City of Toronto within the event’s marketing campaign
Examples: Canada Day events, Khalsa Day parades, Sporting Life 10K, Toronto Ribfest, Ride for Heart
An organization wants to hold a 5 km fundraiser run to benefit a local charity on a Sunday morning using several City streets to be closed for a period of time. The race would start and finish at a festival site located on a civic square near the race route. The 5km charitable run has the support of corporate sponsors and portions of it will be broadcast on television.
Based on this information, the group would be required to:
Duration: Up to three days
Frequency: Can be annual
Number of venues, roads or sites: One location
Attendance: 2,000 to 10,000
Out-of-town attendance: Minimal
Quantity of City permits and/or approvals required: Under five
Value of City services required: Between $1,500 and $25,000
City coordination required: Single division
Measured benefits: Local business benefit
Examples: Big on Bloor, Chinatown Festival
A local Business Improvement Area (BIA) wishes to host a new street festival. They wish to close the main street, serve food, have a beer garden, and entertainment including bands, buskers and carnival rides. The street has a bus route and metered street parking.
Based on this information, the group would be required to:
Duration: Under two days
Frequency: Annual or one-time event
Number of venues, roads or sites: One location
Attendance: Less than 2,000
Out-of-town attendance: Minimal
Quantity of City permits and/or approvals required: Under three
Value of City services required: Under $1,500
City coordination required: Single division
Measured benefits: Local community focus
A group of residents is organizing a local block party to get to know their neighbours. They wish to close a side street, put up some inflatable games, have a BBQ and listen to live music.
Based on this information, the group would be required to:
It is also suggested to inform the local City Councillor and BIA of the event if applicable.
A local adult soccer club wishes to host a tournament and end of season party in their local park. They wish to erect a small stage for entertainment, serve food and have a beer garden in a tented area.
Based on this information, the group would be required to: