Special Events & Permits in Allentown, PA (2026)
3 verified special events & permits rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Park Event Permits
Section 425-20 requires anyone holding a picnic, festival, road race, fishing contest or similar gathering in an Allentown park to first get a use permit from the Director of Parks and Recreation. Applicants must describe the event and meet standards showing it won't disrupt other park users or public safety.
Allentown Requires Permits for Park Events
Significant RestrictionsAllentown City Code § 425-20.A
Permits for special events in parks and recreation areas including but not limited to picnics, egg hunts, ice cream festivals, road races, fishing contests or sports, or for the sale of items, or for the use or possession of alcoholic beverages, shall be obtained by application to the Director of Parks and Recreation or the Director's designee in accordance with the following procedure.
Parade Permits
Parades, marches and other events assembling on Allentown streets need a Mayor-issued permit under Chapter 532, applied for at least 90 days ahead. The Mayor can deny a permit that would snarl traffic, overload police staffing, or clash with another permitted event.
Allentown Parade & Special Event Permits
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code §§ 532-2, 532-3, 532-14 (Special Events)
§ 532-2. Permit required. All special events such as exhibits, fairs, athletic events, parades, concerts, block parties, religious institution events or conventions occupying, marching or assembling upon any street or public area of the City are permitted only after a permit for the holding thereof has been granted by the Mayor or his designee. Permit fees are outlined in § 270-62, Special even...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Allentown restaurants and bars can operate a sidewalk cafe on the public sidewalk with an annual permit, provided seating sits directly in front of the business, leaves a five-foot clear walkway, and includes no permanent fixtures.
Allentown Sidewalk Cafes Need Annual Permit
Some RestrictionsAllentown Code of Ordinances § 545-46.M
Sidewalk cafes, as defined in this article, are permissible so long as the property owner receives an annual permit and the following conditions are met: (1) The seating arrangements must be located immediately in front of (or can be on the side of in the case of a corner property) the establishment and only in that portion of the right of way abutting the property from which the sidewalk cafe ...
Looking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Lehigh County →