Special Events in Ladysmith

The Town of Ladysmith offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for hosting events of all kinds.

Outdoor venues include Transfer Beach Park & Amphitheatre, sports fields, the downtown core, Holland Creek Trail, and Harmony Square, while indoor options include the Agricultural (Aggie) Hall and the Frank Jameson Community Centre. Each year, these spaces welcome over 50 events, from public markets and concerts to car shows and dances.

Explore the full list of community events on the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce’s calendar.

Planning A Special Event in Ladysmith?

In order to host a special event in Ladysmith, organizers are required to obtain a Special Event Permit from the Town.

To support community groups, organizations and businesses in planning a special event, the Town has developed a comprehensive Special Event Handbook, which outlines how to obtain a Special Event Permit, highlights available rental spaces, and provides essential information to ensure your event runs smoothly.

APPLYING FOR A SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT

Ready to apply for a special event permit? The process begins with an initial contact with our staff and up to two forms. Additional steps may be required for specific needs, such as street closures.

Below is the list of steps you need to take in order to obtain a permit.

  1. Contact Us: Reach out to our front counter staff at the Frank Jameson Community Centre via e-mail, phone, or in person. Our staff will discuss your preferred location, check availability, and offer suggestions or alternatives to meet your needs.
  2. Facility Booking Request Form: After your first discussion, our staff will instruct you to complete a Facility Booking Request Form. This form temporarily holds your space, confirms it’s a good fit for your event, and reserves it for you. 
  3. TOL Special Event Application: In addition to completing the Facility Booking Request Form, you will need to either complete a Special Event Application or Special Event Renewal Application, depending on your event.
    • New Events: Complete the Special Event Application, which collects essential details about your event, including who, what, where, and when.
    • Returning Events: For events held within the last two years, you must submit a Special Event Renewal Application. This form is necessary for us to update contact details, event dates/times, and any changes from previous years.
    • Street Closure and Sign Advertising (if applicable):
      • Street Closures: Is your event occurring on a public roadway? If so, provide the details in our special event application(s) to have this included.
      • Highway Sign Advertising: The Town has two highway-facing signs available for public use. You may apply to have your signage installed on them, see details in the special event application(s).
  1. Liquor Special Event Application (if applicable): For events involving alcohol, you must submit a Liquor Special Event Application. This application is required to meet liquor permit requirements.
After You've Applied

Once your application(s) are submitted, our dedicated Parks, Recreation & Culture (PRC) staff will process your request. Typically, they will respond within a few days with clarifying questions, which may include:

  • Insurance requirements
  • Site specific needs
  • Clarification of timing, set-up or items brought to the site
  • Additional requirements or support needed from the Town

After addressing these details, your application will be referred to Town departments, emergency services and other relevant agencies for feedback and information. Upon completion of this step, the Parks, Recreation & Culture department will contact you with any additional questions, or approve the application and issue the Special Event Permit(s).

For further assistance, please contact us at bookings@ladysmith.ca or visit the Frank Jameson Community Centre. For street closure or advertising inquiries, please e-mail info@ladysmith.ca.

Application Forms

Looking for a form? Don’t worry! Below is a list of all the application and permit forms you’ll need to apply for a Special Event Permit. All forms are available for download as PDFs.