Block party invitation and food on the table

Plan a block party in your neighbourhood

Block parties are a great way to build social connections and improve your community.

Knowing your neighbours can make a difference:

It’s easier to get help from neighbours we know in a medical or other emergency than from a friend 10 minutes away.
Research shows that when neighbours know and trust each other, streets are safer and people are healthier and happier.

Steps to having a block party

Step 1: Pick a time and place
A. Pick a date and time

Speak to your neighhbours and find out if your selected date works for most neighbours. Download a block party invitation (1 MB)

Make sure you talk to everyone on your block, including those across the street from each end of the block.

B. Determine where your party will be located

On your street

If you're closing your street:
1. Share your idea for closing the street to your neighbours
2. Record their support with a neighbourhood poll using the block party sign-off form (115 KB)
At least 65% of households must be in support of closing a street before a permit will be issued. This polling requirement may be waived for recurring annual events with a successful history.

Other areas

If you don't have enough common space and you're not closing your street, consider a:
- Community centre or neighbourhood house for space available to rent
- Park or beach, which makes a great venue for picnics and private recreation activities (Depending on the type of party you are planning, you may need to book the park or have a permit to use it.)
- School , which may be able to provide space for your party in a school gym or yard
Step 2: Organize your party
A. Setup a team

Get your neighbours, strata, and property manager involved in the planning of your block party. They can help with invitations, as well as the setup and cleanup of the party.

B. Design your event

Possible ideas:
- Have a potluck
- Provide name tags to help with introductions
- Decorate the pavement with chalk to get kids involved
- Request emergency preparedness handouts and activities to better prepare for emergencies together
- Request a Vancouver Fire Rescue Services fire truck to visit
See if you are eligible for financial help from the Vancouver Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants Program

C. Determine how you will clean up

At the end of your party, make sure you have a good crew of neighbours to help you clean up. You could form an official neighbourhood cleanup party to make cleaning up part of the fun.
Step 3: Determine if you need insurance
We provide free general liability insurance for approved block parties that require a street closure.

What the free insurance covers

The free general liability insurance covers us and you to a limit of $2,000,000 for public liability and property damage. It is subject to limitations and exclusions.

What the free insurance doesn't cover

There is no free general liability insurance coverage for:
- Groups over 250 attendees
- Liquor liability
- The sale of products or food
- Trampolines or bouncy castles
- Fireworks
- Sporting, athletic, boxing, or martial arts events
- Farm animals or other non-domestic animals
Unsure if you need more insurance?

We can help determine if you will need additional insurance coverage. If you do need more coverage, you will need to contact a private insurance broker.
Step 4: Review guidelines and apply for a permit
A. Review block party guidelines

Block party guidelines:
- Keep alcohol on private property only
- Be respectful of party noise and not amplify music
- Keep access open to emergency vehicles
- Make tables and other structures easy to move
- Clean up afterwards
- Notify neighbours at least one week in advance
B. Apply for a free permit

Apply for your permit at least two weeks before your party date.

Register and apply for a permit
Step 5: Rent barricades and have party

A. Remind your neighbours of the party

After you get approval for your street closure, download and send out a reminder of the party (2 MB) to your neighbours to mark the date.

B. Get barricades

At this time, we are not able to lend out barricades for block parties. You will need to rent barricades from a third-party to close the road for safety.

Barricade rental suppliers (80 KB)

C. Have the party and get feedback from neighbours

Talk to your neighbours at the end of your party and asked them how it went.

Let us know how the party went. Email us at public.engagement@vancouver.ca with photos and favourite party recipes, and we'll share them.