Downtown Performance Space Permit

If you are requesting to use amplified sound downtown for a performance, rally or speech and your request fits the criteria as detailed on this page, you will need a Downtown Performance Space permit.

• You are requesting one of the Downtown Performance Space locations.
• You are requesting one of the times allowed for that specific location. Your event must fit within one time slot/day for that location.
• There will not be significant setup for the event. Band equipment, speakers, and other small equipment are allowed. Tents, stages, tables, etc. are not allowed.
• There cannot be vending or fundraising at the event. Donations can be accepted.
• Food cannot be served, handed out, or sold at the event.
• Promotional activities are not allowed with this permit.

If your event or activity does not of these criteria, then you need a Street Use permit.

How to Apply

Step 1 

Apply online

Step 2 

Pay fees.

Step 3

Your permit will be issued immediately through email, if the location, date, and time are available.

Confluence at Library Mall

800 State St. 

Available Daily: 1:00–2:00 pm or 6:00–8:00 pm

Frances Street Plaza

500 N Frances St. (State & Frances)

Available Daily: 12:00–1:00 pm or 5:00–9:00 pm

No electrical access at this location

Elizabeth Link Peace Park

452 State Street

Available Monday - Wednesday 12:00–1:00 pm or 5:00–7:00 pm

Available Thursday - Sunday 12:00-1:00 pm, 1:30-2:30 pm, 3:00-4:00 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm OR 6:00-7:00 pm

The Forum

100 State Street, next to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Available Sunday–Friday 12:00–1:00 pm or 5:00–9:00 pm

Available Saturday 9:30–11:00 am, 11:30–1:00 pm, or 5:00–9:00 pm

Rotary Plaza

100 N Hamilton Street, next to the Madison Children's Museuam

Available Sunday–Friday 12:00–1:00 pm or 5:00–7:00 pm

Available Saturday 9:30–11:00 am, 11:30–1:00 pm, or 5:00–7:00 pm

• Amplified sound is only allowed during the designated time frames listed for each space.
• This permit does not allow significant equipment or stage setup.
• No vending, including bake sales, fundraisers, or product sales, is allowed under the Downtown Performance Space permit.

At this time, we cannot guarantee that public electricity at these sites will be available or reliable. If electricity is required for your event, you should plan to have your own power source such as a generator, battery, etc., as a back-up to electrical.

If the location, time or details of your event falls outside the parameters for the Downtown Performance Space permit, you will need to apply for a Street Use permit. Please be aware that the Street Use Permit application requires a minimum of 30 days advance submission and a $100 non-refundable application fee.