Harbourfront Centre’s Busker Program has multiple waterfront pitches available throughout the our site to licensed circle and animation acts.
Local Busker License: Year-long licenses to perform on Harbourfront Centre busker pitches. Licenses are issued each spring starting May 1st.
Guest Busker Pass: Two-week licenses to perform on Harbourfront Centre busker pitches. When available, these are issued to qualified performers for specified two-week periods throughout the year.
License Fees:
Local Busker License – $50 annual
Guest Busker Pass – $15 two-week pass
Merchandising Fee – $15 (in addition to License)
Please ensure you have read the Busker Rules and Regulations before applying:
Busker Rules and Regulations
A complete outline of Busker Rules & Regulations will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
Fees
License will be issued to the Licensee upon full payment of License Fee of $15.00 per two week period (HST included) or $50 for an annual period (May 1 2025 to April 30 2026). There is a Merchandising Fee of $15 where applicable by the Licensee. License and Merchandising Fees are non-refundable.
Signing In
Licensee must sign in at the Security Desk each time they arrive on site and follow the designated procedures for reserving a pitch, appropriate to their specific license. Signing in is proof of Licensee’s attendance, which may be taken into consideration for acceptance in the subsequent year(s).
Amplification
Sound levels are limited to a 65 decibel level; this limitation is for both amplified and non-amplified acts. The exception to this rule is on ”C“ pitches, where sound levels are permitted to 75 decibels. These decibel limits may be changed at any time by Harbourfront Centre and if ever a performer is requested by a Harbourfront Centre Security or a staff member to reduce their sound level, that request supersedes these sound level policies.
Equipment
The use of any electrical equipment must be applied for and approved by Harbourfront Centre. The Harbourfront Centre Busker Program has a strict no generator or strobe light policy.
Costume/Dress Code
Performers must present themselves in a professional manner.
Busking Hours
Busking on site is permitted from 9am until 11pm inclusive. Busking after 11pm may result in the revoking of a licensee’s permit. Busking hours and days may change depending on other Harbourfront Centre programming, location and sound curfew.
Insurance
It is mandatory that all Circle Act Buskers secure Commercial General Liability Insurance for at least $2 million per occurrence and is suggested for all performers. Harbourfront Centre should be named as an Additional Insured.
Code of Conduct
Performers must abide by the following code of conduct:
- To treat other licensed buskers with dignity and respect.
- To display their photo identification permit, supplied by Harbourfront Centre, in a clearly visible manner at all times while performing on site.
- Not to assign or transfer this License.
- Not to aggressively solicit or interfere in any unwanted way with Harbourfront Centre’s visitors.
Ready to apply? Let‘s go!