Special Events

The City of Albuquerque's Special Events Section organizes free music festivals, parades, concerts, and other cultural events.

Special Events also oversees the rental of the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza facility and the SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT PROCESS.

 

Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza Rental

Have you considered renting the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza for your special event?

Civic Plaza is the social and ceremonial center of our community. This unique, outdoor venue has a capacity for more than 20,000 people and includes a performance stage measuring 35 feet by 96 feet. A beautiful fountain compliments the area.

The rental fee for the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza is $60.00 per hour. Additional fees may apply.

Call the City of Albuquerque at (505) 768-3556 for rental information.

• Civic Plaza Rental Packet [pdf, 858k]
• Map to Civic Plaza

Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza Usage Information

The following policies and procedures are for the use of the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza.  It is the purpose of these policies and procedures to inform the Permittee of what is expected while occupying the Plaza.

Reservations and Deposits.  A verbal reservation will hold an available date on the calendar for up to 10 days.  Your reservation will not be confirmed until all the necessary paperwork is complete and fees are paid in full.  It is the Permittee’s responsibility to make sure that:

• The Rental Application is turned in with complete and accurate information;
• The Facility Permit is signed and turned in with the appropriate deposits and rent;
• All additional (if necessary) permits are acquired;
• The City has a Certificate of Insurance, and all deadlines for providing the above-listed items are met.

Insurance.  It is the responsibility of the Permittee to procure and maintain at its expense commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.  The City of Albuquerque shall be named an additional insured.  If for any reason the Permittee fails to provide a Certificate of Insurance no later than ten (10) days prior to the event, the event may be cancelled.

Personnel.  It is the Permittee’s responsibility to provide staff for the event, which shall include set-up, take down, and clean up.  The City will not provide any staff.  The only exceptions are for specialized electrical hook-ups and/or for a request by the Permittee to have the water fountain operating during general non-operating hours.  The individuals must be City employees, and an additional fee may be required.

General Rules

No vehicles of any kind are allowed on the Plaza.  All loading/unloading must be done from the street or from the loading dock, if it is available.

It is the Permittee’s responsibility to provide all necessary and/or desired equipment for the event, to include set up and tear down.  Permittee is also responsible for securing all equipment used at/for the event (i.e. chairs, tables, canopies, etc.).

It is the responsibility of the Permittee to leave the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza (dressing rooms included) and the adjacent areas, in the same state of cleanliness they were in prior to the event.  This includes removing all objects brought on site, as well as removing all trash from the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza. 

The food vendors secured by the Permittee for the event are required to cover the ground within their vending area and a three foot perimeter around their area to minimize damage to the concrete.  If any excess follow-up cleaning is required, the Permittee will be charged for the additional cleaning costs.

Permittee must have all necessary permits before and during the day of the event, such as street barricading, food and/or noise permits, tent inspections, and liquor licensing, if applicable.  It is recommended that the Permittee attend an Event Permitting Meeting for any large scale event (i.e. concert, showcase, festival, etc.); most additional permits can be acquired at this meeting. 

To accompany the signed Facility Permit, the Permittee must supply a complete list of any and all vendor(s), including what they will be vending, as well as a valid mailing address and phone number.

Hours of Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza use shall be listed on the Facility Permit; hours must include set-up, tear-down, and clean up time.

If a street closure is required, as part of your event, it is the Permittee’s responsibility to not only obtain a barricading permit, but also, to notify the adjacent businesses that may be impacted as a result of the street closure.

Permittee may be required to provide security if the Special Events Manager, or the Special Events Permit Committee, feels it is necessary for the safety of the public.

It is the responsibility of the Permittee to supervise the conduct of the hired and/or volunteer staff, vendors, and the event participants when on the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza.

Permittee must list all equipment and enclose a layout of the event along with the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza Rental Application.

Restrictions

• No Vehicles of any kind may be brought on to the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza.
• No Skateboarding on Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza.
• No riding bicycles on Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza, riders must walk bicycle while on Civic Plaza.
• Hot air balloons are not allowed on the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza.
• No breaking into any of the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza concrete structures.
• No body piercing.
• Noise levels maintained at 90 decimals at speakers.
• No public access into the dressing rooms.
• Portable Restrooms are required for all events.
• No equipment may be left on the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza beyond the “Term” of the Facility Permit.
• All equipment being brought on to the Harry E. Kinney Civic Plaza must be identified and approved.
• During the event, including set-up and tear-down, a representative of the event must be on hand at all times.
• Any electrical hard wiring must be done by a certified City electrician for an additional fee.

 

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How to Get a Special Event Permit

Are you planning an event in the City?

Special events require advanced approval and permits from the City of Albuquerque.

The Special Events Office is happy to help guide you through the Event Permitting Process.

A Special Event Permitting Committee meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Event organizers should call early in the planning stages to arrange a meeting.

If a citizen or group intends to organize and stage a protest, they must contact the Cultural Services Department to receive instructions. A permit may be required but the organizers must call the Cultural Services Department at the phone number listed below for that to be determined.

To obtain a hard copy of the Special Event Permit, and to schedule yourself to present your event to the permitting committee, please contact Eric Werner at (505) 768-3451.