Using the Grounds

Planning an activity or an event on the Plains

You will find on this page all the information related to the use of the grounds for holding an activity or an event on the Plains, including shooting. Prior authorization is required, so you must submit a request by completing the form.

Aerial view of the Plains of Abraham in autumn

Managing a Park 

The National Battlefields Commission (NBC) is responsible for the management of the National Battlefields Park (Plains of Abraham), Des Braves Park and Pierre Dugua de Mons Terrace. Every year, it receives numerous requests from organizations to hold a variety of activities.

As the manager of a historic and urban park, the Commission would like to ensure a balanced use of the grounds, that is, a balance between authorizing events and preserving the site’s public and peaceful character. Accordingly, if it has to limit use of a site, it gives preference to public activities and events over those limited to a private group.

This document has been prepared to inform the organizations wishing to use the Battlefields Park.

National Battlefields Commission

Policy for Using the Grounds

Paysage des plaines d'Abraham avec vue sur l'hôtel Le Concorde de Québec en arrìère-plan. Plains of Abraham with Hotel Concorde in the background, view of Quebec City.

Types of Activity

Major activity

Any activity that has the potential to attract more than 10,000 persons, that requires the installation of one or more pieces of infrastructure, and that exclusively occupies part of the park.

Important activity

Any activity that has the potential to attract fewer than 10,000 persons, that requires the installation of at least one piece of infrastructure and that exclusively occupies part of the park.

Minor activity

All other activities not covered by previous subsections are considered minor.

Activities Permitted

Cultural activities

Festivals, concerts and other performances with the exception of regular program at the Edwin Bélanger Bandstand. Holding such activities requires installing infrastructure, and sometimes the exclusive occupation of part of the park or more.

Education and Community activities

These activities, generally organized by educational institutions, community groups or charitable organizations, include picnics, outdoor classes and fundraising activities, as well as non-competitive activities, such as treasure hunts. 

 

These activities do not require the installation of any infrastructure nor the exclusive occupation of a part of the park.

Sport activities

All sports activities, such as championships, competitions and recreational activities (cross-country, marathons, etc). These activities may require the installation of infrastructure and sometimes the exclusive occupation of part of the park.

Activities WITH admission fees

These activities encompass all activities, including those described above in previous subsections, for which admission in any form is charged, including a ticket, pass, or stamp, for an exclusive part of the park.

Public gatherings

Public demonstrations that can take place in certain parts of the park, as well as any activity involving a gathering that starts in the park and moves out of it (eg, a parade). These activities do not require the installation of any infrastructure.

Shooting and Filming

These activities sometimes require the occupation of a specific part of the park, and often occur on the same day. 

 

For more information: information@ccbn-nbc.gc.ca

Submit a Request

To facilitate the organization of your project, please complete the request form. This will help us better understand your needs and coordinate your visit while respecting the site's rules and access schedule.

Please read the following information carefully:

This form must be completed in order to submit an application for holding an event on the Plains of Abraham. Please note that completing this form does not constitute an approval.
The Commission reserves the right to review each request, assess its impact on the sites, and decide whether or not the event will take place.
A non-refundable $43.50 (taxes not included) administration fee must be paid and submitted with this application form. Once the payment is accepted, enter your transaction confirmation number in the designated field.
The fees of the National Battlefields Commission may be adjusted annually, on April 1 or August 1, due to increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or other factors.
A 30-day period is required to process and analyze your request. This period begins upon reception of the administration fees and your request.
If you expect the event in question to be partly held in the streets of Québec City, you must also send the authorization issued by Québec City.
Be sure to provide all the mandatory information as well as the supporting documents and permits, if applicable.
Is this a non-profit organization?

If yes, you must provide a copy of your charitable organization or non-profit status.

Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

Is this a new event?

Please provide a map illustrating the location where you wish to hold your activity on the Plains of Abraham. Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

Start date & time of the activity
End date & time of the event
Does your activity involve an entrance fee?

MOBILIZATION / DEMOBILIZATION

Please indicate the dates of equipment arrival and complete removal.
Mobilization of the equipment
End date of mobilization of the equipment
Start date for equipment demobilization
Start date for demobilization of the equipment

EQUIPMENTS AND RESSOURCES

Event Security
Does your activity involve setting up a stage?

You need to attach a plan specifying the location of volunteers and security during the event in the next section of this form. Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

SOUND & LIGHTING

There is no power supply in certain areas of the park. The use of electricity is only authorized during major events intended for the general public.
Does your activity involve the use of sound system?

Please provide details regarding the hours of use, sound checks, etc.

Please attach the document(s) related to the sound tests.

TENTS, BIG TOPS & BOOTHS

These installations must be held in place by counterweights not stakes. No installation is allowed inside the drip line.
You must identify these facilities on the site plan.
Does your activity involve setting up tents & big tops?
Do your tents or big tops include signage?

If yes, please provide a description of the type of signage in the following field.

Please provide details regarding the activities held inside the tents.

Site Maps

Please provide a site plan with a legend. It must show the dimensions and location of the activity's infrastructure, including the following:
Site entrances and exits, barriers, tents, marquees, kiosks, stages, displays, control rooms, lighting towers, emergency evacuation zones, portable toilets, sinks, trash bins, recycling containers, and entry and exit points.

Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

Does your activity involve setting up Booths?

All booths must be secured with counterweights not stakes. No infrastructure can be installed under the vertical projection of tree crowns.

Please provide details about the activities taking place inside the kiosks.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

It is forbidden to drink alcohol on NBC grounds, except as provided. A licence issued by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (Québec) is required to sell or drink alcohol. If you wish to sell or distribute alcohol, please give us as much information as possible.
Does your activity involve the sale of alcohol?
Does your activity involve the sale of food?

Sanitary and safety standards must be observed. It is necessary to hold a proper licence issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec.

WATER & ELECTRICITY

There is no water and power supplies in certain areas of the park.
Does your activity involve the use of electricity?
Does your activity involve the use of generators?

The generators must be equipped with a spill kit.

Does your activity involve the use of water?

TOILETS

Will toilets be installed for the activity?

The event organizer is responsible for installing a sufficient number of toilets.

PYROTECHNICS

A permit from the Service de prévention contre l'incendie in Québec City is required.
Does your activity involve pyrotechnics?

Please provide a site and perimeter plan regarding the use of fireworks. Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

STREET CLOSING

No closing of the park is allowed. If it is unavoidable, a request must be submitted to the NBC for consideration and authorization. Charges will apply.
Does your activity involve the closure of street(s)?

If yes, which one(s)?

PARKING

New pricing starting in April 2025.

Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

Measures to ensure Sustainable Development

The National Battlefields Commission requires from organizers that they minimize the environmental impact of the event they plan to hold and that, to this end, set up strategies aimed at enhancing environmental protection. That they supply a detailed plan showing that your organization has set up measures to reduce waste, ensure recycling, energy efficiency, set up parking restrictions, ensure the proper use and conservation of water, promote public transit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Accepted file types: PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and compressed folder. Maximum file size: 5 MB

User Fee for the Grounds and third-party liability insurance

Please note that licence holders must provide evidence of third-party liability insurance for a minimum of $2,000,000 according to the type of event. A higher amount may be required.
The National Battlefields Commission and His Majesty the King in right of Canada must be named as additional insured. Your certificate must be provided at least two weeks before the event is held. Once we have received the application, the event will be assessed. If it is accepted, the price determined by our Policy for Using the Grounds will apply.

Administration Fee

A non-refundable $43.50 (taxes not included) administration fee must be paid and submitted with this application form.
By clicking on the link below, you will be redirected to the Zaui transaction platform. Once the payment is accepted, please enter the confirmation number in the field below and click Submit.
Click here to proceed with the payment

Payment confirmation

Processing your Request

The completed form must be submitted 30 days before a minor activity and 90 days before a major or significant activity. Once we have analysed your request according to our Policiy for Using the Grounds, we will inform you of our decision regarding the preliminary approval.
At that time you will also be informed of the requirements relevant to the event. These may include without being limited to: occupancy expenses, visits of the premises by the surveillance team and plans of the event.
A detailed plan includes the following:
Traffic management, noise management, temporary structures, first aid and public health, health-care facilities, toilets and installations, safety and emergency situation management, electricity and lighting, including energy performance measures, site management plan, site map approved by our monitoring team, waste management, including waste reduction and recycling.

Privacy Statement and Protection of Personal Information

Reason for collecting information: for purposes of event management on NBC territory
Documents required: the request for authorization to hold an event is voluntary. However, a duly completed request form is required to hold an event on NBC grounds

Applicant's Declaration

Statement of Applicant 
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