Entertainment Licensing
We license and regulate entertainment activities in Boston.
We license and regulate entertainment activities. We maintain safety and order in Boston's restaurants and nightclubs through the licensing and monitoring of entertainment activities.
LICENSING DIVISION updates:
- If your outdoor public event will include entertainment (e.g., radio, DJ, band, etc.), you only need to submit the Outdoor Public Event Application. You no longer need to complete the separate One-Time Entertainment Application, as long as you list all entertainment types on the Outdoor Public Event Application.
Licensing Board
If you would like to apply for a Common Victualler or Alcohol license, contact the Licensing Board.
Contact
-
1 City Hall Square, Room 809
Boston, MA 02201 -
Office hoursMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Licensing help
We process new applications and renewals, inspect premises, and hold licensing hearings.
Avoiding copyright infringement
We have information to help businesses that play music for the public.
How to get an annual live or non-live entertainment license
Get a new license, make a renewal, or change an existing license.
Renew an entertainment license.
Renew a license
How to get a one-time carnival license
You need a license to host an event with carnival games or rides.
How to get a one-time entertainment license
You need a license to host a one-time event like a carnival or festival.
How to get an annual dance school license
To run a dance school in the City, you need to have a license.
How to get a fundraising license
You need a license to sell products or collect money for charity.
Street performers in public areas
The City does not require permits for street performers in public areas.
All Entertainment License Fees
A list of common license fees for various events.
Forms and applications
Forms- Annual Live Entertainment License (ex. DJ, band, floor show)
- Annual Non-Live Entertainment License (ex. radio, jukebox, TVs)
- Annual Automatic Amusement Devices License (ex. coin operated arcade games)
- Outdoor Special Public Event Portal (Use this application for entertainment if this is for a special public event outside)
- One Time Entertainment Application (Use this application for entertainment for an event indoors)
- For State Parks (DCR) property, entertainment is approved by DCR, not the City of Boston. All other State property must be approved by the City of Boston.
- One-Time Carnival License (ex. moon bounce, ferris wheel, carnival rides/games)
Upcoming Hearing Dates
Upcoming Hearing DatesThese are the tentative entertainment hearing dates for 2026 (administrative and application). Hearing is typically held at 2pm via Zoom.
- Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Thursday, May 7, 2026
- Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Thursday, July 23, 2026
- Thursday, September 3, 2026
- Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Thursday, December 10, 2026
Hearing videos and materials
- Application Hearing: January 8
- Application Hearing: February 25
- Violation Hearing: February 27
- Application Hearing: March 26
- Application Hearing: April 9
- Violation Hearing: May 7
- Application Hearing: May 21
- Application Hearing: June 4
- Application Hearing: July 23
- Violation Hearing: September 24
- Application Hearing: October 15
- Violation Hearing: January 9
- Application Hearing: January 21
- Violation Hearing: April 10
- Application Hearing: April 10
- Fenway Park Concert Decision + Documents (Decision Issued December 11, 2024)
- Violation Hearing: May 29
- Application Hearing: June 5
- Application Hearing: June 26
- Application Hearing: August 7
- Violation Hearing: August 11
- Application Hearing: August 28
- Violation Hearing: September 11
- Violation Hearing: September 18
- Violation Hearing: November 6
- Application Hearing: November 20
- Application Hearing: December 4
- January 9, 2023
- January 23, 2023
- March 2, 2023
- March 6, 2023
- April 6, 2023
- April 10, 2023
- April 10, 2023 - April 21, 2023 - Fenway Concerts for 2023 Open Comment Period
- May 4, 2023
- May 18, 2023
- May 25, 2023
- June 7, 2023
- July 18, 2023
- July 20, 2023
- October 5, 2023
- January 11, 2022
- January 24, 2022
- January 31, 2022
- February 14, 2022
- March 2, 2022 (Fenway Concerts)
- Concert Documents (ex. Security, Transportation Management, Communications, Traffic Enforcement, etc.)
- March 4, 2022 (Applications)
- March 10, 2022 (Violations)
- May 19, 2022 (Hearing)
- June 16, 2022 (Hearing)
- June 27, 2022 (Hearing)
- August 22, 2022 (Hearing)
- September 8, 2022 (Hearings)
- September 8, 2022 (Hearings)
- September 15, 2022 (Hearing)
- September 19, 2022 (Hearing)
- October 3, 2022 (Hearing)
- October 18, 2022 (Hearing)
- November 3, 2022
- November 7 2022 (Hearing)
- November 9, 2022 (Hearing)
- November 14, 2022 (Hearing)
- December 8, 2022 (Hearing)
Contact
-
1 City Hall Square, Room 809
Boston, MA 02201 -
Office hoursMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
