Entertainment Licensing
We license and regulate entertainment activities in Boston.
LICENSING DIVISION updates:
- Entertainment License renewals for the 2026 license will commence November 1, 2025 until November 30, 2025. Renewal packages will be mailed directly to the premise at the end of October. If you do not received your package by November 9th, please email Entertainment@boston.gov.
2026 License Renewal information
- If your outdoor special / public event will include entertainment (e.g., radio, DJ, band, etc.), you only need to submit the Outdoor Special 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 Special Event Application.
Licensing Board
If you would like to apply for a Common Victualler or Alcohol license, contact the Licensing Board.
Contact
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1 City Hall Square, Room 809
Boston, MA 02201 -
Office hoursMonday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -
We license and regulate entertainment activities in Boston. We maintain safety and order in Boston's restaurants and nightclubs through the licensing and monitoring of entertainment activities. Find out more about our work. Watch our video on the One-Time Entertainment application process.
Licensing help
We process new applications and renewals, inspect premises, and hold licensing hearings.
We have information to help businesses that play music for the public.
Get a new license, make a renewal, or change an existing license.
Get a new license, make a renewal, or change an existing license.
You need a license to host an event with carnival games or rides.
You need a license to host a one-time event like a carnival or festival.
To run a dance school in the City, you need to have a license.
You need a license to sell products or collect money for charity.
The City does not require permits for street performers in public areas.
A list of common license fees for various events.
Outdoor Special Event Help
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
Please note: Hearing dates are subject to change.
- Thursday, January 9
- Thursday, February 27
- Thursday, March 6
- Thursday, March 27
- Thursday, April 3
- Thursday, April 17
- Thursday, May 8
- Thursday, May 29
- Thursday, June 5
- Thursday, June 26
- Thursday, July 17
- Thursday, July 31
- Thursday, August 7
- Thursday, August 28
- Thursday, September 18
- Thursday, October 2
- Thursday, October 23
- Thursday, October 30
- Thursday, November 20
- Thursday, December 4
- Thursday, December 18
- April 30, 2024
- May 2, 2024
- May 16, 2024
- June 6, 2024
- June 27, 2024
- August 1, 2024
- August 27, 2024
- September 17, 2024
- October 3, 2024
- October 22, 2024
- December 12, 2024
- December 17, 2024
Hearing videos and materials
- Violation Hearing: January 9
- January 21, 2025
- Violation Hearing: April 10
- Application Hearing: April 10
- Fenway Park Concert Decision + Documents (Decision Issued December 11, 2024)
- Application Hearing: August 7
- Violation Hearing: August 11
- Application Hearing: August 28
- Violation Hearing: September 11
- Violation Hearing: September 18
- 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.
-
We license and regulate entertainment activities in Boston. We maintain safety and order in Boston's restaurants and nightclubs through the licensing and monitoring of entertainment activities. Find out more about our work. Watch our video on the One-Time Entertainment application process.
