City of Winter Haven Special Events helps build a sense of belonging and community pride. As part of the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Division, the Office of Special Events exists to serve the community and guide event planners through the special event application process.

Special Event Application

Type of Application Needed

Parade Application

A parade application is needed if your event involves a procession, run, walk, bike ride, or similar type of event. In addition, if your event includes a post-run/race/ride celebration on City property, you will also need to complete a Special Event Application.

Special Event Application

A special event application is needed if your event is a festival, tournament, dance, concert, block party, or similar type of event that involves any of the following: closing a street, the use of any City park, sale of merchandise, food or beverage, erection of a tent larger than 10 x 10, the use of inflatables, amplified music, installation of a stage, bandshell, grandstand, bleacher, trailer, van or portable toilets for public use.

Event Application Requirements

• Event applications will only be considered 12 months before their date. All event rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations can be made 12 months in advance.
• Teen Dances has additional terms and conditions waiver to sign and requires the hiring of Winter Haven Police Officers at the organizers' expense.
• Events involving alcohol of any kind require the hiring of Winter Haven Police Officers at the organizers' expense. As well as require written approval from the City of Winter Haven.
• Application requests for consecutive or individual multiple dates will be subject to date or location changes at the City of Winter Haven's discretion.
• Events involving inflatables require the City of Winter Haven to be listed as a certificate holder and a copy of insurance provided to the Special Events Coordinator before the event. Inflatables with water features are not permitted on the City of Winter Haven property.
• Placement of signage promoting your event is not permitted within any public right-of-way.

The following event checklist items will be due two weeks before the date of your approved event.

• The event footprint site plan. Site plans must be legible and provide sufficient detail for any elements impacting the event footprint.
• The parade route map.
• The parade route turn-by-turn narrative.
• Payment of your special event fees.

Special Event Application Process

1. Complete and submit the event application below. Note - Completing the application does not guarantee your event will be approved. All events are required to obtain a Special Events application and comply with all the application requirements. Depending on your event, you may need to obtain additional permits or meet additional requirements.
2. An application fee of $35 will be required for a Special Event application once you have been approved. We do not waive the $35 application fee.
3. Applications can be submitted no more than one year before the event and 30 days before the event date. Applications submitted less than 30 days before the event date are subject to be denied.
4. The Special Events Review Committee reviews applications on the Wednesday following the date we received the application. In some cases, you may be asked to come before the committee and present your event to the committee.
5. If your event requires a parade application, the Special Events Review Committee representatives will approve the route or make adjustments and determine where barricades and/or cones will need to be used. Please note some parade applications will require a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) permit. If this is the case, the application must be submitted at least 90 days in advance.
6. City of Winter Haven Police Department representatives will determine the number of required police officers/security officers the event organizer will be responsible for hiring.
7. All additional permits and requirements must be submitted to the Special Events office no later than two weeks before the event. Failure to submit all additional permits and requirements two weeks before the event will deny event approval.

Open Container During Special Events Policy