Worcester, MA Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Chapter 13, § 25 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 bars any person, group of persons, or group of vehicles from marching or parading on any Worcester street or part of a street without a permit issued by the chief of police. " That gives the police department discretion to attach additional route or timing conditions when it issues the permit, on top of the base route restriction. c. 33, §§ 47, 49 and 50, which cover military and naval forces of the United States and veterans and affiliated organizations.

Everyone else, including community groups, advocacy marches, school processions, and commercial promotional parades, needs the chief of police's sign-off before stepping onto a public street as an organized group. Because Chapter 13 sits in the traffic and parking title of the code, the underlying concern is keeping vehicle and pedestrian traffic moving safely, which is why the route and any added conditions come from the police department rather than a separate special-events office. Organizers should apply to the Worcester Police Department well ahead of the event date so the route can be reviewed and any traffic-control or timing conditions worked out before the day of the parade.