Special Events Permit and Planning Procedures
Customers are now able to apply for this permit through the Civic Access portal. The Civic Access portal gathers all of the information needed to apply, pay for, and manage permits in one convenient place. It is designed for use on a desktop/laptop computer.
2026 Special Events Presentation
The 2027 Special Events application process is now closed. Please check back in the spring of 2027 for information on how to apply for a special event in 2028.
All outdoor events held on the City of Naperville's property, e.g., streets, sidewalks, parks, etc., and/or deemed to impact the City significantly, are considered special events.
An event that requests any of the following actions must be approved by City Council and will be considered a special event:
- Closures of roads, streets, sidewalks or City blocks
- Designation of temporary "No Parking" or "Tow Zones"
- Issuance of City permits or licenses
- Coordination of services from one or more City departments
- Requires significant planning or support due to their size, complexity, or impact on public property, traffic, safety or City resources
Please note: Special events requiring City services that are canceled less than 50 hours before their start time will remain subject to any applicable City service fees, for which the event organizer is responsible.
Additional Permits That May Be Required For A Special Event
- Tent Permit Application (Covers tents, food trucks, inflatables and stages)
- Carnival Permit Application
- Amplifier Permit Application
- Raffle Permit Application
- Liquor License Application
- Fireworks Permit Application Form (Create a Help Center account to access the permit)
- Required Tags (Inflatables, Fire Extinguishers, Food Trucks with Cooking Equipment)
Once the City Council approves an event, all necessary applications must be submitted promptly. To ensure an event receives a final event permit, all the required paperwork must be submitted two (2) months before the event date.
Special Events Resource Guide
To assist in planning special events, the City developed the Special Events Resource Guide. The guide, which will be updated periodically, provides event organizers with the information necessary to meet the City of Naperville's requirements to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike.
Sustainability Tips for Special Events
The City of Naperville is committed to creating a sustainable community for our residents and visitors. With your support, we can reduce the environmental impact of our events. Please consider incorporating voluntary sustainable actions from Naperville's Special Events Sustainability Guide into your event.
Special Events Accessibility Checklist
The City of Naperville strives to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to access and enjoy special events held in Naperville. As part of the City of Naperville Special Events Resource Guide, this checklist helps determine if a special event is accessible.
All indoor and outdoor sites for special events must be accessible to persons with disabilities. In planning an event, it is advisable to review the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Accessibility Code.
Always remember that when planning your event, people who may attend the event are often unfamiliar with local directions, resources and services. The City’s ADA webpage is a good resource for event organizers to utilize when planning a special event.
Special Events and Community Arts Program Grant
The City of Naperville encourages celebrations of community and cultural opportunities that focus on the heritage, diversity and character of the City. In support of these activities, the City of Naperville offers funds for the purpose of aiding eligible organizations in providing new and continued cultural experiences.