Manchester, NH Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing authority
- City Clerk / Committee on Administration
- Nonprofit event fee
- $15 per day
- Standard event fee
- $100 per day
- Max event length
- Two consecutive calendar days
- Governing sections
- §§ 111.65, 111.66, 110.20(C)(3)
Summary
Manchester requires a special event license from the City Clerk before using or closing a public park for an event involving vending, entertainment, or public entry.
SPECIAL EVENT. A daily event which requires the closure of a public street or the usage or closure of another public place or park, and which involves public entry, vending of food, drink or merchandise, public entertainment, or a moving athletic event like a race or walk; or an outdoor event on private property which is open to the public and due to its size and activities has an impact on the surrounding streets and neighborhoods or may require special police or fire attention or the use of other special City services or facilities. A special event pursuant to this title shall only apply to either commercial for profit or non-profit events. (Ord. passed 1-17-95; Am. Ord. passed 3-7-95; Am. Ord. passed 11-7-01; Am. Ord. passed 10-4-05; Am. Ord. passed 4-18-17) § 111.66 LICENSE REQUIRED.
(A) No person shall own or operate a dance hall or entertainment place of assembly within the city unless a license shall first be obtained from the City Clerk.
(B) No person shall conduct or allow to be conducted any entertainment, public dancing or hold a special event which is not part of the regular and recurrent business activity of the owner or operator of the room or space within the city unless a license shall first be obtained from the City Clerk.
(C) (1) Notwithstanding any other licensing ordinance, a duly licensed establishment in the city may allow dancing and entertainment upon obtaining an
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: current through Ord. passed 6-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 111.66 requires anyone holding a special event in a Manchester park, defined in § 111.65 as a daily event involving closure or usage of a public place or park, public entry, vending, entertainment, or a race or walk, to first obtain a license from the City Clerk. The Committee on Administration reviews applications and can bar events that substantially impact a residential district or run more than two consecutive days. Nonprofit special events pay a $15 daily business license fee under § 110.20(C)(3); all other applicants pay $100 per day.
Violations & Fines
Holding a special event or entertainment gathering in a city park without a City Clerk license violates § 111.66 and is punishable under the § 111.99 general penalty provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold an event in a Manchester park?
How much does a Manchester special event license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
Compare Manchester to another location·View the New Hampshire special events & permits overview
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Park Event Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle park event permits.