Event Regulations

City Licenses


Entertainment and Liquor Licenses

Your event may require the purchase of a Liquor License for alcohol and/or an Entertainment License. Through the event registration process, the Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement Office, Residential Life Programs, FSILG Office, or MIT Events and Information Center will assist your group in determining if you need any licenses. Licenses must be posted at the event. To obtain licenses, please take the following steps:

  1. Complete the first five (5) steps of the Event Registration Form. For more information regarding Event Registration, please see the "Event Registration" chapter.
  2. At least two weeks before the event, you must take the Event Registration Form to the Cambridge Licensing Commission, 831 Massachusetts Avenue, First Floor (349-6140) to apply for necessary license(s). Make check payable to "City of Cambridge." Note: This is step six (6) of Event Registration. The licensee must, prior to the event date, pick up the one-day license, pay for it, and on the date of the event, post it conspicuously at the event location.
     
    • Alcohol licenses may only issue to a natural person who is 21 years old or older. The applicant must present proof of age (passport, MA driver’s license, MA liquor identification card, MA identification card, or active US military identification card) upon submission of the application or pick-up of the license.
  3. Complete the seventh and final step of Event Registration by returning the completed Event Registration Form, along with copies of City licenses, to the appropriate registration office (either Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement Office or MIT Events and Information Center 7-121) and scheduling office.

Entertainment Licenses

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts defines entertainment as "theatrical exhibitions, public shows, public amusements and exhibitions of every description." A license should be obtained if an event:

  • will have entertainment rather than academic learning as its main purpose AND
  • will include either an admission fee/mandatory donation OR the serving of alcohol. The cost of a one-day Entertainment license is $50.00 per day.
  • Cambridge License Commission - Fees for One Day Licenses

Cambridge License Commission
Monday, 8:30AM to 8:00PM.
Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Friday, 8:30AM to 12:00 noon.
http://www.cambridgema.gov/License/
617-349-6140


Raffles and Game Nights

Any group wishing to hold a raffle in the City of Cambridge must obtain a One Day Raffle License ($10 per day) from the City of Cambridge, Licensing Commission located at 831 Massachusetts Avenue (349-6140). It may be helpful to bring along a flyer or other information regarding the raffle to the Licensing Commission when purchasing the license. The license is required for the day of the drawing, however, it is suggested that the license be purchased before raffle tickets go on sale and that a copy of the license be available wherever the tickets are sold. Please note that events where tickets are given away rather than sold does not constitute a raffle and does not require a raffle permit. Only non-profit Cambridge-based organizations are allowed to apply for this license. If a non-profit organization is from another city, then a Cambridge resident must sign the application. The sponsoring group is also required to pay the state Lottery Commission 5% of the raffle proceeds.

The City of Cambridge does NOT allow Las Vegas and/or Casino nights or similar games of chance unless:

  1. the Organization meets the Criteria set by the State Attorney General, AND
  2. the event is approved by the License Commission after a public hearing, AND
  3. the event is approved by the City of Cambridge Police Commissioner.

It takes approximately one month from date of application until the required hearing date.


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Peddler's License

If a group is selling items at an event, the Event Host must apply for a Peddler's License. This license will cover all food sales at the event. (This does not apply to promotional booths and tables.)


Carnival License

If you are interested in holding a carnival with or without rides and the event is being held on MIT property, you should contact the Executive Officer of the License Commission in writing one month in advance of your proposed event date with all the details of the proposed event. If the proposed event is not being held on MIT property, you must apply to the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works Operations Manager at 349-4800 for a meeting in front of the City Special Events Committee. A full listing of the carnival procedure can be found in W20-500. For more information regarding MIT's carnival procedures and the new amusement policy. See web.mit.edu/environment/ehs/event_safety.html.

Cambridge License Commission
Monday, 8:30AM to 8:00PM.
Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Friday, 8:30AM to 12:00 noon.
http://www.cambridgema.gov/License/
617-349-6140

For more licensing information, see the Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement Office in W20-500.