Event organizing

What is it?

If you want to organize an event, you need a permit from the municipality. This applies, for example, to a fair, carnival, parade or festival. For small events, such as a street party or a neighborhood barbecue, reporting to the municipality is often enough.

If necessary, subsidies may be provided by the municipality for this purpose.

How does it work?

In connection with the proper coordination of events, each event must be notified by November 15 prior to the year in which the event takes place. Later notification may result in inclusion in the Event Calendar and permit issuance being denied for this reason.

The municipality determines whether you get the permit. You may have to follow certain rules, such as:

  • a maximum number of people;
  • a certain start and end time;
  • No music before or after certain time;
  • No activities on the road or interfering with traffic;
  • do not place large objects.

You can make a pre-announcement for inclusion in the Event Calendar through the EventAssistant. When doing so, choose the option 'Make a pre-announcement for Event Calendar'.

An event permit must be applied for digitally through the EventAssistent. Go to the EventAssistent.

Organizers who notify an event after these deadlines have passed run the risk of a rejection decision.

What to do?

  • Apply for the permit from the municipality.
  • For large events, you do this at least 16 weeks in advance. For medium-sized events, you do this at least 8 weeks in advance.
  • If you only need to file a notification, do so at least 1 week in advance.
  • Please provide the following information:
    • name of the organizer
    • name of the contact person at the event
    • description of activities at the event
    • date and time of the event
    • date and time of building and dismantling the event
    • expected number of visitors or participants
    • available emergency crews, such as first aid and security
    • Whether streets should be closed
    • anticipated noise (type, time, location)
    • method of power supply
    • Whether you serve weak alcoholic beverages
    • drawing of the event site or the route of a parade, for example
    • technical data on structures on the event site
    • how and by whom the site or route will be cleaned up afterwards

Other permits or waivers

You may need to apply for other permits or waivers. For example, a parking waiver, referral signs or a waiver for serving alcohol.

Tools furnishing drawing, safety plan, traffic plan

Download a Map of the desired location to aid in creating a layout drawing, safety plan and/or traffic plan for your event from the document list of Maps of locations in Kerkrade:

How long does it take?

  • You will receive notification from the municipality within 8 weeks whether you will receive the permit.
  • For medium-sized events, you will be notified within 6 weeks.

Notification small event

You will be notified if the municipality wants you to comply with certain rules. You will also be notified if they prohibit your event. You will receive this notice within 5 business days after you file your notification.

Additional information

Are you organizing a large event that may require multiple permits? If so, contact the municipality before applying for the permit.

You may also need to apply for a permit or exemption for such things as:

  • Placing advertising signs or referral signs
  • organizing an event on Sunday or a holiday
  • the occasional organization of a festivity in your (catering) business
  • the temporary serving of alcohol
  • the use of roads and trails in a cycling or running race
  • making music or loud noise on the street

Residents who want to organize an activity - for example, a barbecue - in their street or neighborhood may be eligible for a subsidy. A subsidy applies only to non-commercial activities organized by the residents (so not together with, for example, catering establishments and shopkeepers). No subsidy is provided for large-scale parties for an entire neighborhood.

Not eligible for subsidy:

  • activities involving trade;
  • activities with a commercial objective;
  • activities that are publicly accessible to all.