Event Checklist
Waterfront PArk and Belvedere Permits and Fee Schedule
Waterfront Park is the community gathering place. With 85 acres of public green space along the river's edge, Louisville Waterfront Park offers uniquely scenic views of the Louisville Metro skyline and the Ohio River. The "front door to Louisville" hosts hundreds of events year round.
Individuals, corporations and charitable non-profit groups come together to plan events ranging from family reunions, weddings, company picnics, concerts, and festivals, to walkathons and major sporting events.
If you're looking to plan an event of your own, you've come to the right place. Look over our event checklist at left, and then get started by looking at our Permits and Fee Schedules Page.
If you have any questions after reviewing this information, please contact us at 502.574.3768.
Waterfront Park and Belvedere Rental Rates are based upon the attendance expected at your event. Please review the following descriptions to determine the fee structure for the type of event you are interested in hosting at the park.
Small Group Events | Major Events | Commercial Permits | Stage Rental | Electrical Charges | Restrooms | Special Notes
Key Information
User Fees and Security Deposits:
The user fees and security deposits listed are based upon common events held at the park. If your event goes outside the normal scope of activity because of extensive infrastructure or other reasons, WDC reserves the right to augment fees and deposits. After reviewing your application materials we will advise if the final rental rate will be augmented.
Reservation Down Payments:
Waterfront does require a 50% down-payment on your user fee (reservation down-payment) to be included with your application. User fees are outlined below. Applications are not considered without the down payment. Reservations are not considered without a completed application and down payment.
Due Dates:
Applications and deposit deadlines are based upon the attendance expected at your event. Please review the following descriptions:
Small Group Events
Apply for this permit if your event is a group gathering such as a family picnic, wedding, small exposition or other special event with more than 50 and less than 500 people in attendance. OR, apply for this event if your group is less than 50 but you are bringing event support gear or materials that cannot be carried from the parking lot &/or support equipment that needs to be supervised by the Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation. Please also note that Waterfront Development Corporation cannot physically reserve space for a function, but can hold a space on the calendar of events.
Due 30 days in advance:
- Between 50 and 249 attendees:
- - $220 non-refundable fee per day.
- - $300 refundable security deposit.
- Between 250 and 499 attendees:
- - $440 non-refundable fee per day.
- - $600 refundable security deposit.
Major Events
Apply for this permit if your event is a festival, concert, fund-raiser, corporate promotion or other special event with anticipated attendance greater than 500. There are two levels of this permit. Please find the level which best characterizes your event.
LEVEL 1, Waterfront Park Major Event:
Apply for a level 1 permit if your event is expected to attract between 500 and 4999 people.
- Due 60 days before the event:
- - Completed Louisville Metro Government and Waterfront Applications.
- - 50% down payment on the user fee.
- Due 30 days before the event:
- - $1210 per day user fee.
- - Required certificate(s) of insurance. *
- - $1375 refundable security deposit.
LEVEL 2, Waterfront Park Major Event:
Apply for a level 2 permit if your event is expected to attract more than 5000 people. User fee and damage deposit for a Level 2 Major Event are determined by staff based upon the specifics of your event.
- Due 90 days before the event:
- - Completed Louisville Metro Government and Waterfront Applications.
- - 50% down payment on the user fee.
- Due 60 days before the event:
- - Balance of user fee.
- - Required certificate(s) of insurance. *
- Due 30 days before the event:
- - Refundable security deposit (determined by staff based upon event setup)
Commercial Permits
Commercial Media Permits:
Apply for this permit if you are interested in photographing or filming Waterfront Park for commercial purposes.
- Due 7 days before the event:
- - Completed Waterfront Application.
- - $330 location use fee.
- - $200 refundable security deposit.
- - Certificate of insurance*.
- * a large scale production may require supplemental deposits and permits.
Commercial Docking (Waterfront Park only):
- - $182 per boat per day user fee.
Stage Rental (Waterfront Park only)
TOP NOT INCLUDED
Cost includes set-up and tear down labor.
- - $484, stage base dimensions are 20'x40'. Stage is 4' tall.
Electrical Charges (Waterfront Park only)
- - Use of Electrical Distribution Trailer - $275 (required to access power on Northwest Great Lawn and Brown-Forman Amphitheater)
- - High Mast Lights - $275 per night for overnight illumination
- - Use of power on Harbor Lawn - $110 per day
- - Use of power in Festival Plaza, Brown-Forman Amphitheater (2 outlets or less) - $138 per day
- - Use of outlets in Festival Plaza, Brown-Forman Amphitheater or Amphitheater Lawn (3 outlets or more) - $165 per day
- - Use of hard wired power on Great Lawn, Overlook, Brown Forman Amphitheater, Wharf or pavers underneath 64 on Great Lawn – 200 amps or less – $220 per day**
- - Use of hard wired power on Great Lawn, Wharf, Brown Forman Amphitheater – 400 amps or more - $303 per day
- - Use of power on Great Lawn Pavers - $138 per day**
Please Note
- - If your event does not meet any of the above specifications, WDC will be happy to advise you of appropriate guidelines and fee schedules.
- - Daily rental fees for non-profit organizations are eligible to receive a 33% discount.
- - Security deposits, stage rental fees, electrical fees, equipment fees and restroom cleaning fees are not discounted.
- - WDC reserves the right to augment fees on a case by case basis.
- - Refunds will be given at the sole discretion of Waterfront Development Corporation.
- - There are seasonal flooding possibilities which could affect your special event. WDC will do everything possible to accommodate your special event in the case of park flooding.
- - WDC cannot provide special parking privileges in any of the surrounding pay lots. WDC may assist you in obtaining a Validation Program with the neighboring pay lots at your request.
- - Permit Holder is solely responsible for obtaining all other necessary permits as relates to alcohol sales, food sales, street closings, EMS major event permits, or other permits. For more information, please contact the Office of Inspections, Permits and Licenses, 810 Barrett Avenue Suite 134, Louisville Kentucky; phone: 574-3321; or www.louisvilleky.gov/ipl/.
- - Waterfront Development Corporation does NOT provide amenities such as sound & lighting systems, tables, chairs OR other support materials and services unless otherwise indicated.
- - Reservation down payments are necessary to ensure date reservation. User fees & security deposits have been established to cover administrative & operational costs & to ensure adequate clean up of the park after each event.
- - WDC reserves the right to amend any portion of these guidelines if deemed appropriate by WDC. This includes and is not limited to, suggestion of alternate park locations upon opportunity of a greater or better use of the facility with consideration of the public benefit, rescheduling an event, restricting some activity with consideration of inclement weather, and suggestion of alternate dates with consideration of conflicting programmed activity within the park.