Get a street performer permit in Ville-Marie

Do you play music, entertain passersby, or create balloon sculptures? Would you like to perform in Ville-Marie? You’ll need a street performer permit. Find out more about permit fees, rules to follow, performance locations and the permit application process.

On this page:

Fees

Application types

Processing fee to create your file

$68

Street performer permit

$183

Replacing a lost permit

$68

When you submit your initial application, you must pay the processing fee to create a new file along with the permit fee.

Permit application

Your permit is valid from its date of issue until December 31 of the same year. You must renew your permit annually.

    Required documents

    When you submit your initial application, you can e-mail any additional information that would help us assess your application such as audio files, links to your professional Website, Facebook page, Instagram, etc.

    For initial applications:

    • Proof of membership in a recognized professional association of performing or recording artists
    • Proof of membership in a group of street performers that conducts a qualitative assessment of its members
    • Administrative proof of a certain level of training or professional practice validated by Ville-Marie’s Division de la culture et des bibliothèques.

    Your proof of address must be less than 3 months old:

    • Utility bill (electricity, telephone, Internet or cable)
    • Employment Insurance statement
    • Statement from a financial or credit institution
    • Government ID

    See also safety requirements for special effects performances and requirements for fire performers.

    In person

    1. Bring all required documents. On site, you’ll fill out a form and pay the fees.
    2. If you are renewing a permit, you will receive your permit immediately.
    Accès Montréal Office – Ville-Marie
    800 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Est
    Ground floor
    Montréal, QC H2L 4L8

    Locations

    Street performers are allowed in the borough from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., except on sites where an event has already been authorized.

    A performance cannot last longer than 1 hour. If you travel for at least 60 minutes, you can present another performance. If you stay in the same place, you must allow at least 1 hour between performances.

    In Old Montréal, street performers can only perform at designated locations on Place d’Armes, Place Jacques-Cartier and Rue Saint-Paul Est. You must register using the borough’s online reservation system: mapvillemarie.com (in French).

    It is prohibited to perform within 2 metres of a space that has been reserved by another performer. 

    Balloon sculpting is not allowed on Place d’Armes.

    Street performances are prohibited in the Old Port of Montreal, on Île Sainte-Hélène, on Île Notre-Dame, in the area around Quartier des Spectacles and at La Ronde.

    To perform in the metro, you must play a musical instrument and reserve a time slot on the Société des transports de Montréal’s Web site.

    Volume

    The use of sound amplification equipment or a soundtrack must not be audible more than 25 metres away.

    It is prohibited to amplify percussion or brass instruments.

    For certain locations on Rue Saint-Paul Est, amplifiers are prohibited outright. This is clearly indicated when you register online for these spaces.

    Sales

    You may only sell goods or services that are directly related to your performance. If you perform solo, products from one of your groups cannot be sold, nor can you promote another artist. Groups that perform cannot promote solo material from one of their members. 

    Soliciting children is strictly prohibited.

    Legislation

    Overview of applicable municipal legislation

    Last updated August 24, 2026