What to know about St Kilda
- Port Phillip requires an event permit for a private celebration in its public open spaces if there are 20 or more people or the event involves a structure such as a 3 m by 3 m marquee.Source: City of Port Phillip, outdoor weddings and celebrations
- Under a Port Phillip celebrations permit, organisers may set up a maximum of 10 trestle tables and 100 chairs, structures 3 m by 3 m or smaller can be used and marquees cannot be pegged into the ground.Source: City of Port Phillip, outdoor weddings and celebrations
- Port Phillip does not permit glassware in any of its open spaces or foreshore reserves, and drinks must be served in recyclable cups.Source: City of Port Phillip, outdoor weddings and celebrations
- From 1 November to 31 March, Port Phillip may not accept minor event bookings in high use areas of the St Kilda foreshore.Source: City of Port Phillip, outdoor weddings and celebrations
- St Kilda Town Hall at 99A Carlisle Street seats up to 480 banquet style without a dance floor, and hirers supply their own crockery and cutlery.Source: City of Port Phillip, St Kilda Town Hall
Planning a party in St Kilda
Port Phillip sets a low bar for needing a permit: a private celebration of 20 or more people in a park or on the foreshore, or any structure such as a 3 m by 3 m marquee, needs one. Within a celebrations permit you can set up to 10 trestle tables and 100 chairs and use structures up to 3 m by 3 m, weighted rather than pegged. The council also says jumping castles are not permitted for minor events (City of Port Phillip).
No glass by the water
Glassware is not permitted in any Port Phillip open space or foreshore reserve, so for a park or beach party ask the hire business about other drinkware, or keep the glassware for a venue or a backyard. Port Phillip also has alcohol bans on beaches and in the St Kilda foreshore reserves. From 1 November to 31 March the council may not take minor event bookings in the busiest parts of the St Kilda foreshore.
Gardens and the town hall
The council lists Catani Gardens, O'Donnell Gardens, St Vincent Gardens and the St Kilda Botanical Gardens as heritage gardens for weddings and celebrations, with applications open up to 12 months ahead. Indoors, St Kilda Town Hall seats up to 480 banquet style without a dance floor, and hirers bring their own crockery and cutlery (St Kilda Town Hall), which is where tableware hire comes in.
St Kilda party hire FAQs
How many guests can I have in a St Kilda park without a permit?
Fewer than 20, with no structures. From 20 people, or with a marquee, Port Phillip requires an event permit.
Can I bring glasses to a foreshore party?
No. Port Phillip does not permit glassware in its open spaces or foreshore reserves; drinks are served in recyclable cups.
Can I have a jumping castle in a Port Phillip park?
Port Phillip says jumping castles are not permitted for minor events. A backyard or private venue is the usual answer.