The Downtown Development Board’s Special Event Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations hosting events within the area. The program provides limited reimbursable grants for events that help drive downtown’s economic vitality, celebrate arts and culture, enhance downtown’s identity as a welcoming destination, encourage creative partnerships, and activate public spaces with vibrant programming.
Applications are open now for events taking place between December 2025 and May 2026. To apply, click here. All submissions will be reviewed after the application period closes.
A
special events permit is required when events involving more than 100 people will take place on city property or is held on other property which impacts adjacent streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-way. A Special Event Permit is the official document authorizing the performance of an event on city property. To obtain this permit, applicants must
submit a completed application, meet requirements, and submit a non-refundable application fee to the City of Orlando.
Applications close on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.