How to Host a Block Party

Mayor Wu and the Office of Civic Organizing are offering grants of up to $750 to residents, neighbors and community groups who want to build community by hosting a block party on their street. This grant can be used to support activities related to your block party, including, but not limited to: purchasing water bottles or other non-alcoholic drinks, lawn games, snacks, entertainment, and more.

To be eligible, all block parties must be free and open to the public. Only block parties that take place between May and September are eligible for this grant, and events must be held on a public street.

Applicants must also complete a Play Street Closing Permit and obtain a Vendor ID prior to their event. The Block Party grant application form becomes available after submitting your Play Street Permit application through the same platform. You can apply for a Vendor ID here. Please note that Play Street Closing Permit applications may take up to 4 weeks to be reviewed, so be sure to apply with enough time before your event.

If you applied for a Play Street Closing Permit before the grant application opened, please contact us at civicorganizing@boston.gov. 

The deadline to apply is Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5 p.m. NOTE: Submitting this grant application does not guarantee funding.

Celebrating the Boston 250 x World Cup Crossover

With the upcoming Boston 250 and the 2026 World Cup events, this is an exciting time for Boston. We encourage residents to host block parties celebrating with their neighbors and communities. Community groups are encouraged to apply for funding to support block parties with activities such as watch parties and creative gatherings that bring residents together and reflect the spirit and diversity of Boston. This funding aims to empower residents to host inclusive, vibrant gatherings that reflect the very best of every neighborhood in Boston.

• Consideration will only be given to applications proposing block parties in the street, with an approved street closure permit. Parties hosted on the sidewalk without a street closure permit, in parks or any other public spaces, will not be considered for grant funding.

• To host activities such as music, live music, open flame grills, or selling items ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, you will need ADDITIONAL permitting through our Special Events Process. If you are interested in including these types of activities as part of your block party, we encourage you to consider hosting these activities on private property, which would not require additional permitting. 

• Office of Cultural Affairs Mini-Grants: The 2026 Block Party grant program does not support larger community-building events or celebrations such as festivals, cultural workshops, a recurring community-building series, or neighborhood-wide gatherings. To apply for grant funding from the Equity Cabinet’s Office of Cultural Affairs for Summer 2026 events, please check out the Cultural Affairs Mini-Grants.

• If you are a City of Boston employee or immediate family member of a City employee you are ineligible for this grant.

• If you are applying as a for-profit business or a political organization, you are ineligible for this grant.

• If there are any changes to the date, time, or location of your event due to weather or other circumstances, please reach out to the Office of Civic Organizing to inform them of these changes.

• Source of Funding: City of Boston Operating Funds 

• Award Amount per Grant per Applicant: Up to $750

• Only one Block Party Grant can be issued per street.

• All block parties must be free and open to the public.

• If your block party is accepted into this program, your block party's information will be added to a map of approved Block Party Grant grantees.

• Please note: We prioritize reviewing and notifying block parties based on the date they occur. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application in the cohort closest to the date and time designated in their application.

To host a Block Party on public property, you need to apply for what the City calls a Play Street Closing Permit. This permit allows you to close a residential street to through-traffic so that you and your neighbors can use and enjoy the street during your block party. Here are some things you can do on the street and sidewalks with a Play Street Closing Permit:

• Meet and connect with your neighbors
• Play games like foursquare and double-dutch
• Have activities like sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles
• Arrange chairs, tables, tents (10x10 ft or smaller), or other easily movable items
• Have a potluck and serve free food

The City of Boston encourages all hosts to hold block parties that are free and open to the public. You should apply for a Play Street Closing  Permit at least 30 days before your Block Party. Unfortunately, the Play Street Closing Permit does not allow for the following activities on the street or sidewalks. (See "Additional Permits You May Consider") for more information:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Amplified music, stages, or risers 
• Carnival rides, petting zoos, and pony rides
• Food trucks or food being prepared on the street or sidewalk
• Grills (propane, wood, or charcoal)
• Inflatable structures like bouncy houses
• Street vendors

Feeling ready? Start your Block Party/Play Street Closing Permit Application. You should apply at least 30 days before a Block Party.

If this is your first event with the City, you will need to set up an online account. Your username and password can be used for future block parties and other City business, so remember to keep it in a safe place. You’ll be able to copy a Block Party application for future years if you want to have a recurring event. When you apply online, you need to give us some general information about your event.

After we receive your permit application, it is reviewed by the Boston Transportation Department and the Boston Police Department. Reviewers look at event logistics, transportation impacts, and public safety considerations. You may get a call from a City staff member if we have questions and suggestions about timing, which parts of your street you’d like to close to traffic, and how to move forward with your event. 

If you decide that you want the items below at your block party (on the public street or the public sidewalk), you will need to submit an Outdoor Public Event application.

submit an outdoor public event application

The Outdoor Public Event Permitting team will assist you with the permitting process for the items listed below. Please note that processing these permit applications can take up to 30 business days. 

Note: If you are able to put those items below on your personal private property then you will not need to acquire additional permits. This is the quickest and easiest way to include one or more of the activities in your block party.

• Amplified music or performances 
• Bouncy houses, carnival rides, petting zoos, or pony rides
• Grills (propane, wood, electric, or charcoal)
• Heavy structures like stages, risers, & tents larger than 10x10 feet 
• Selling food
• Street vendors

Sometimes things change or emergency construction work arises, so the City does reserve the right to revoke your permit if that happens. If that does happen, you will get a call from the City and you can resubmit your permit for a different day.

It takes about 30 business days to approve a Play Street Closing/Block Party permit. If you have questions about the process or if your permit is taking longer than expected, reach out to your Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services liaison. They can help you to get your permit and answer any pending questions about your permit application.



Block parties are a great way to build community among neighbors on a street. This is why the City strongly encourages residents to do outreach with their neighbors before applying for a play street permit. In rare cases, the City may deny or revoke a block party permit or grant application if a large number of concerns are raised by residents on a street.

Once you have received your Play Street Closing permit, you are ready to refine your plan and communicate with your neighbors. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• The Play Street Closing Permit does not remove parked cars, so communicate with your neighbors and guests in advance. We highly encourage you to create an event flyer or print out our sample Block Party event flyer to share with your neighbors in advance of the event so they can plan accordingly. Flyers should have the event date, time, activities, and information for how to volunteer and attend.
• If food is served, we encourage hosts to consider providing options for people with food allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Unfortunately Block Party play kits are no longer available. Numerous missing and broken pieces made the program unsustainable and we had to phase out the kits.
• The Boston Fire Department and the Boston Emergency Medical Services require that a twenty foot (20') aisle be kept unobstructed, running the entire block, at all times to allow emergency vehicles to enter and exit.
• You can block off the street with caution tape, traffic cones, and other easily removable devices. Vehicles cannot be used to close off the streets (see reason above: fire trucks need to pass). This is a Block Party, not a drive-in! 
• In case neighbors or other folks have questions about your party and the process, have a printed copy of your Play Street Closing Permit on hand.

Do you have questions about the Play Street Closing Permit, Vendor ID, or the Block Party Grant? Please refer to the City of Boston Block Party frequently asked questions for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive. If you do not see your question listed, please contact the Office of Civic Organizing at civicorganizing@boston.gov for further assistance.