Morristown is the ideal location for free community events, fun runs or your organization’s fundraiser.

Below are tips and important contacts needed to operate a successful event in downtown Morristown.

Do you have a great idea?  You’re going to need a team to help you bring it to life!  Create a committee and assign tasks such as fundraising, location selection, permits, safety, sanitation, communications and volunteers.

Check our Upcoming Events page for up to date information on already scheduled community events. If you would like to host your event at a local venue, visit the Morristown Partnership Business Directory to browse available locations.  Options include a wide range of restaurants, as well as professional spaces and unique locations in Morristown. Contact the businesses directly for pricing and availability details.

The Town of Morristown requires Administrative and Council approvals for all street closures and facilities use.

• A Facilities Use Request Application and Hold Harmless Agreement is needed for municipal meeting rooms, public parks, block parties and road closure requests (road closures are permitted for non-profit Organizations ONLY). Submission is REQUIRED at least 30 days prior to event. **Requests may be subject to Governing Body Approval (Fees associated with the Morristown Police Bureau and Division of Public Works may be assessed, Insurance Required).
  • Town of Morristown, Office of Administration: (973) 292-6627
• A New Jersey Department of Transportation permit is REQUIRED for any County or State road closure.  Your organization must first obtain Town of Morristown approval before submitting any permits to the NJDOT (Permit Fee and Insurance Required).
  • NJDOT, North Region, Permits: (609) 530-2239
• The Morristown Green (“The Green”) is for the use and enjoyment of the public, however commercial use is strictly prohibited. The Green is privately owned and maintained by the Trustees of The Morristown Green.The Trustees of the Morristown Green are dedicated to the preservation and good repair of the Morristown Green and its availability to individual members of the public and to a limited number of special events operated by non-profit entities.Recently, the preservation and good repair of the Green have been significantly challenged by the number and intensity of special events. As a result, the Trustees of the Morristown Green instituted a moratorium upon special events utilizing the Green. An exception to this moratorium shall be those entities or uses on the Green within recent years, concerning which there has been either no or minor damage to the Green or an appropriate response by the sponsoring entity.
  • The Trustees of the Morristown Green

All road closures, race routes and event logistics must be reviewed and approved by all Municipal departments.

To aid in the approval process, it is recommended your organization contact the Morristown Police Bureau at (973) 538-2200 to approve race routes and identify any special needs your event may have prior to the Facilities Use Request Application submission.

A fire permit is required to operate all open flames at special events.

• All vendors using open flames MUST HAVE a 10lb. fire extinguisher present, with a valid tag issued within the last year.
  (A, B, C).
• No tent sidewalls are permitted near grills or open flames. Grills should be placed a safe distance from public access to prevent injury.
• All connections from the tank to the grill must be secure. No propane is to be stored indoors. All propane tanks must be secure and out of the way of all vehicle traffic. Propane Tanks must be secured to a sturdy support structure.
• DO NOT BLOCK FIRE HYDRANTS

For questions please contact the Morristown Fire Department, Fire Official at (973) 292-6605.

ALL events, individuals, organizations and businesses selling, serving and distributing food or drink, outside of their regular operations approved by the Town of Morristown Division of Health, MUST submit a Temporary Food Vendor Application to the Division of Health 10 days prior to the event (Fee Required).  Shelf stable and pre-packaged items such as water and candy are considered food items and also require the application, approval and fee. Contact the Division of Health directly with any questions (973) 796-1975.

• NOTE: Food Trucks MUST also receive approval from the Town of Morristown’s Office of the Clerk. Contact the Town Clerk at (973) 292-6636 for more information.

Many questions regarding the use of public parks can be answered by the Town of Morristown’s Recreation Division.  If you would like to use a public park for your event, it is recommended your organization contact the Recreation Division at (973) 292-6717 prior to the Facilities Use Request Application submission.

Some events may require additional services to aid in successful operations. Always contract with a reputable vendor for rentals, portable restrooms, hand washing stations and crowd control barriers.

• Contact vendors prior to an event to seek recommendations for number of portable restroom units based on your expected attendance.
• Never place Accessible portable restrooms facing a curb. Always face towards an open area on a sidewalk or plaza for easy access.
• Be aware of portable restroom placement in the business district.  Be considerate of businesses also conducting operations alongside your event, look for open areas not close to doors or windows.

Be ready to clean-up!  The Town of Morristown’s Department of Public Works requires event organizers to submit a Litter Prevention Plan 14 days prior to an event. Contact the Clean Communities Program for more information (973) 644-4363.

Litter Prevention Guidelines:

• One (1) trash and one (1) recycling receptacle for every 4 booths or stations
• One (1) trash and one (1) recycling receptacle for every open area approximately 50 ft. x 50 ft.
• Two (2) trash and two (2) recycling receptacles at every intersection the event is planned, to be placed on opposite sides of the street
• Two (2) trash and two (2) recycling receptacles for every 250 or more people expected to attend.

Special events are a huge draw to a downtown; however, sometimes road closures and detours can affect regular business and community operations.  Upon approval from the Town of Morristown, Morristown Partnership recommends contacting our office at (973) 455-1133 with your road closure plans.  We can add your road closures to our notification list. In addition, we ask your event operations team or designated volunteers hand deliver any notifications to businesses or organizations on the immediate route.

Once you have planned your event, be sure to add your event to the Morristown Partnership website. Click here to add your event.