Organizing special events and parades in the downtown area necessitates a special agreement with the City of Abilene. This agreement is accompanied by a fee, which is determined by factors such as the type of event, its duration, and other relevant details.
Applications are due at least 14 days before the event date but may be required as many as 60 days before an event, such as a multi-day gathering requiring control of City streets or parades. Parades use an approved route in the downtown area, which can be seen on our Downtown Abilene Parade Route (PDF)
The City reserves the right to categorize events. Depending on the type of event, fees range from $25 to $200. Events outside the Downtown area also require City of Abilene approval and a $100 fee.
Please visit the Special Events Application page for a complete list of requirements for scheduling a downtown event, including fees for each type, agreements, insurance, and notification requirements for affected businesses.
View submitted events on our Special Events Calendar.