Street parties on quiet streets that don’t affect the wider road network count as small events. If you’re planning a small event for neighbours, apply to hold a street party through your local council.

Tell your council 4 to 12 weeks before about your event.

Tell your council:

• the date and time of the party or event
• whether or not you want to close a road or section of road, and its name
• if the road is part of a bus route or used by through traffic
• a list of any properties or businesses affected
• if you’ve consulted neighbours

Smaller events

If you don’t want to have to tell the council, you could hold a smaller event.

You'll need to get permission from your local council to close a road. Some local councils will lend you signs and cones to help with this or you can download signs to print.

Make sure that the emergency services can still get down the street if they need to.

If your party is on a bus route, the bus company will want to know about it in advance.

Some councils will contact emergency services and transport providers for you, but others expect you to do it.

If your council thinks that insurance would be a good idea, costs start from £50. The Streets Alive website offers advice on getting insurance for small street parties.

Alcohol and food

A licence isn’t needed if you're going to provide alcohol for free at your event.

To sell alcohol you'll need a ‘temporary events notice’ which costs £21. You can get one from your local council..

Food can be served and sold up to 11pm without a licence. If you want to serve or sell it after 11pm, contact your council.

You don’t need a licence to give alcoholic beverages away as prizes, like a bottle of champagne for a winning raffle ticket, but there are rules about what can be given away. Contact your council for more information.

Music

You don't need a music licence, whether the music is live or prerecorded, as long as your street party is a private party for residents and you haven’t advertised the music to make money or attract people.

Raffles and tombolas

If tombola or raffle tickets are sold on the day and the prizes aren't worth more than £500 in total then gambling regulations don't apply.

If tickets are sold in advance or your prizes are worth more than £500 contact your local council as you might have to register your raffle as a lottery.