Requests for New Special Events

You must read the Special Event venue limitations, scheduling commitments, and standards, rules, and guidelines outlined in the Special Events Guide before submitting your event proposal. Proposals that do not meet the requirements as outlined in the REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT will not be considered for review.

EMAIL: New Special Event proposals to the Special Events Coordinator at dculpepper@venicefl.gov with a CC to specialevents@venicefl.gov. 

All requests for new Special Events are subject to review by the New Events Review Team (NERT) - event proposals that do not receive NERT approval will not be considered further.

 Recurring Special Events 

Recurring/returning annual Special Events have already received City Council approval and get priority on their recurring Special Event date. All returning Special Events require a Special Event permit for each occurrence, even if no changes from years previous are being made.

NOTE: Special Event permit applications submitted after the 3-month deadline may not guarantee the availability of City services or support for your event.

What is a Special Event? Special Events fall outside the scope of regular public use and are permitted to include the sale or consumption of alcohol, a park or public space closure, the use of City services such as trash and recycling, EMS or police, sales of merchandise or goods, mobile food vending and other criteria or actives typically prohibited by the City’s Code of Ordinances.  

Note: Events that do not meet the criteria for a Special Event may be better suited for a Park Reservation request at no cost. Locations not listed among the Special Event venues are not reservable for Special Event use. Park Reservation requests do not guarantee the use of public space and are subject to review by the City Manager's Office.

Airport Festival Grounds | 610 Airport Ave. E

Located between the Venice Municipal Airport and Venetian Waterway Trail, the Airport Festival Grounds offers 25 acres of fenced-in open event space with access to metered water and electric utilities and connection to the Venetian Waterway Park. The Festival Grounds is the perfect location for a large festival, carnival, bash, concert, ticketed or paid parking, and multi-day events. Some event restrictions may apply due to FAA regulations.

• $400 per setup/breakdown days
• $800 per event/open to the public days

Activities and Restrictions: Event holders can supply seating, tents, food trucks, alcohol service, amplified music, hand washing stations, portable restrooms, and paid parking. The City does not provide mowing, shade, heat mitigation, fire ant treatment, or dust mitigation. Emergency access paths must remain open and unobstructed.

The use of uncontrolled lasers and other sources of focused lights are prohibited. Drone use is allowable per FAA regulations. Height restrictions apply to tents, stages, light towers, carnival rides, etc. and may require an FAA height study prior to event approval, see height restrictions map. 

Event holders must provide separate access points for bicyclists and pedestrians, distinct from vehicle entries/exits. Event holders are encouraged to utilize the northeast bicycle-pedestrian access gate, which is equipped with bicycle racks and offers direct access to the Venetian Waterway Park and adjacent areas.

Centennial Park | 200 W. Venice Avenue*** 

Located in the historic downtown shopping and dining district, Centennial Park is home to the Children’s Interactive Fountain (splash pad), gazebo, open grassy lawn, and public parking.

• $2,000 per day - 3 acres, includes use or closure of the parking lot *
• $350 per day - half acre, gazebo and lawn area 

*Must also include an off-site parking plan. 

Activities and Restrictions: 

Event holders can supply seating, tents, food trucks, alcohol service, amplified music, hand washing stations, and portable restrooms. The City does not provide additional seating or shade structures. Dogs and service animals must remain on leashes and are NOT allowed in the Children’s Interactive Fountain. Charging a fee or soliciting donations to park in the Centennial Park parking lot is prohibited.

Events with expected attendance over 500 must supply a minimum of 10 portable restrooms and 2 hand washing stations as part of their event plan. 

No amplified music/sound on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.***

W. Blalock Park | 401-499 Pensacola Road

Nestled in the residential area adjacent to the Venice Community Center, W. Blalock Park has a gazebo, butterfly garden, a one-quarter (0.25) mile shaded walking path, fauna sculptures, playground equipment, and the Monty Andrews Arboretum. The park does not have restrooms or designated parking. Event holders MUST check with the Venice Community Center before using the Cultural Campus parking lot.

• $350 per day 

Activities and Restrictions: Some event restrictions apply due to residential proximity and park grounds sensitivity. Event holders can supply seating, tents no larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, food trucks, amplified acoustic music, portable restrooms, and handwashing stations. The City does not provide additional seating. Dogs and service animals must remain on leash at all times. Drone use is allowable per FAA regulations.

Legacy Park | 395 E. Venice Ave*

$120 per day* this location also requires a permit/reservation from Sarasota County. Call 311 or 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net. 

Legacy Park is regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection of a Florida Communities Trust grant which prohibits financial transitions from occurring on park grounds. 

Maxine Barritt Park | 1800 Harbor Drive S, Venice* 

$150 per day* This location also requires a permit/reservation with Sarasota County. Call 311 or 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net. 

Heritage Park | 727 W. Venice Ave

Located in the median of Venice Avenue, Heritage Park is NOT reservable for special events or reservations. Small wedding ceremonies are allowed on a first-come, first-served basis. All sidewalks and park access points must always remain unobstructed.

Venice Beach | 101 The Esplanade 

Managed by Sarasota County, Venice Beach requires both a City of Venice AND a Sarasota County permit for Special Events. The beach pavilion is NOT reservable. Restrictions apply during Sea Turtle Nesting Season, May 1 through Oct. 31. For more information, visit scgov.net or call Sarasota County at 311 or 941-861-5000.

Venice Fishing Pier | 1600 S. Harbor Drive

The Venice Fishing Pier is NOT reservable and cannot be used for special events or reservations. The City-owned, 700-foot pier is open 24/7 with free admission and is popular for fishing and sunset views. No fishing license is required. The pier may close due to imminent public safety threats, such as hurricanes or severe weather.

Thoroughfares and residential roadways 

W. Venice, Tampa, Miami, and Nokomis Avenues, Harbor Drive, and Nassau Street

City of Venice streets are no longer reservable for new events. Existing events have been grandfathered in and are subject to a fee of $650 per block per day. No new requests for road closures at these locations—including residential roads—will be considered.

 Venice Fire Rescue Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

 $160 per hour, minimum of 3 hours

Units are decided by VFR and may be an ambulance with crew, UTV with crew or EMS bicycle unit with crew. Venice Fire Rescue reserves the right to increase medical personnel or units depending on event size, location and month at the expense of the event holder. All Venice Fire Rescue fees are subject to fire assessment rates increases, contemporary labor rates, and EMS transportation fee increases.

Metered Water or Power 

Separate utility fees may apply for metered use of potable water or electricity at certain venues. If potable water service is requested, an $800 refundable deposit and a non-refundable administrative fee are required. 

Special Events Trailer - $150*

May be used on request when available and provides items to assist with event set-up:

*Fee includes delivery and removal of Special Events Trailer. Event holders MUST return all items to the trailer upon event conclusion, including any NO PARKING signs deployed by City staff. Trailer is 26 feet long from hitch to open door.

Trash and Recycling (Solid Waste)

Event holders MUST identify plans for trash and recyclable waste materials, including but not limited to vendor-generated trash, trash, grease disposal, recyclables, volunteers, extra bags, or containers, etc.

All deliveries of roll-offs and dumpsters require an event representative on site for delivery. There is no cost difference between size, only weight of debris. Units are not serviceable during events. It is recommended to order larger or additional units than planned.

All Solid Waste Trash and Recycling fees are subject to annual assessment rate increases. All dumpsters and roll-offs delivered to the Airport Festival Grounds must be accessible from paved pathways.

Venice Police Department 

$70 per hour per officer, minimum 4 hours 

Venice Police Department reserves the right to increase or decrease officer staffing depending on event type, activities, and location at the expense of the event holder. All police fees are subject to annual Fraternal Order of Police Union negotiations and rate increases.

Note: Event holders will receive a separate invoice from the Fraternal Order of Police with amounts payable to each officer. Payments made after 15 days of invoice receipt are subject to a $100 late fee per officer. Failure to provide payment may result in future denial of police services or special event permits.