Special Events

Whether you’re planning a parade, a festival, craft fair, a 5K walk/run, bike race or a similar type of gathering, the City of Hayward would like to help you make your event possible!

People enjoying an outdoor festival

Special Events include any event or activity taking place on or in public spaces such as a city facility, a city street or sidewalk, alley or public-right-of-way. These events are free of charge, open to the public and presented for the primary purpose of providing community entertainment, promoting awareness, and supporting economic vitality and quality of life. Examples include but are not limited to parades, street parties and music festivals.

Permitting:

Special Events that involve using public spaces or could have a notable impact on city services, neighborhoods, businesses, or the community as a whole require approval through a Special Events Permit from the City.

Special Events Permit Intake Application

Funding:

Each year, the City of Hayward allocates and awards funding to support the production and presentation of Special Events. Total funding available to support Special Events fluctuates—as do individual award maximums and, from time to time, processes for applying for and evaluating applications for Special Events funding awards. 

Lastly, the award of City funding to support a Special Event does not carry with it right of use of City of Hayward logos and brand assets. Nor does it carry with it a promise of promotional support by the City of Hayward of an individual Special Event. Requests for use of City of Hayward logos and brand assets and City promotional support of Special Events should be made directly to the Community and Media Relations Division of the Office of the City Manager. 

Special Events Funding Grant

Promotion

Promotion of Special Events are primarily the responsibility of the event producer, whether or not the event is recipient of a City Special Events funding award. 

Use of City communication channels and platforms to promote and provide public information about Special Events is at the discretion of the Community and Media Relations Division. In making these decisions, the Division takes into account a range of considerations related to the Special Event itself including whether the City is a co-producer or formal sponsor of an event other communication needs of the City, principles of building and maintaining effective digital communication channels and platforms.

The City of Hayward primarily uses digital communication channels and platforms to promote and provide public information about Special Events. These channels and platforms include the City’s official website including the site’s Upcoming Events calendar and associated pages, a separate, City-managed Community Calendar, a variety of City and departmental social media accounts, The Stack e-newsletter and formal news releases

Event organizers are encouraged to contact City staff at (510) 583-3911 or zach.ebadi@hayward-ca.gov, if they have any questions or concerns about planning, funding or promoting Special Events.