This guide covers public fairs and carnivals, not private parties
If you are organising a public carnival, community fair or school event with stalls selling food or merchandise, there are regulatory requirements beyond just renting equipment. This guide is a route map for the main approvals. It is not legal advice and does not cover every scenario. For a private gathering, ask the venue which approvals apply to the proposed use and setup rather than assuming a blanket exemption.
Step 1: Venue permission
Before anything else, you need written permission to use the venue for a carnival or fair. Who gives that permission depends on where you are holding it:
- A public park: NParks event venue booking (see the park birthday guide for the process).
- A void deck or HDB common area: Your Town Council (see the void deck guide below).
- A school compound: The school administration.
- A commercial venue, mall atrium or convention space: The venue management.
Get venue permission confirmed before applying for fire safety or food approvals. Those agencies will ask where the event is being held.
Step 2: SCDF Temporary Change of Use (if applicable)
The Singapore Civil Defence Force requires a Temporary Change of Use Permit (TCOUP) when a premises is used temporarily for a purpose different from its approved use. SCDF approval must be obtained before setting up.
The application must be submitted at least three working days before the temporary event begins; SCDF targets a decision within three working days. An existing Fire Safety Certificate-approved event space may be exempt if the evacuation and fire safety measures remain unchanged, but this is conditional, not automatic.
The SCDF exemptions for funerals and weddings in specific contexts do not automatically extend to birthday parties, carnivals or other event types. Do not assume a permit exemption without checking with SCDF directly.
Source: SCDF Temporary Change of Use. Checked 19 October 2026.
Step 3: SFA temporary fair and food-stall licensing
SFA’s temporary-fair definition covers events where stalls sell merchandise, food or drinks. Events meeting that definition need a fair permit. Stalls preparing or handling food for sale need separate food-stall licences.
The fair permit application should be submitted at least two weeks before the event. Supporting documents should be submitted at least five working days before the event begins.
A catered buffet at a private booking is not automatically a temporary fair. Ask SFA whether your specific arrangement meets its temporary-fair definition; do not infer an exemption merely because the gathering is private.
Source: SFA requirements for food retail licence/permit (Temporary Fair section). Application process: SFA application process. Checked 19 October 2026.
Organiser responsibility checklist
- Venue permission. Written confirmation from the venue owner or managing body, with the approved dates, hours and permitted activities.
- SCDF. Determine whether your event needs a TCOUP. If so, secure approval before setup, and submit the application at least three working days before the event begins. Allow for any earlier setup date.
- SFA. For a temporary fair within SFA’s definition, submit the fair-permit application at least two weeks before the event and identify food-stall licensing requirements separately.
- Vendor coordination. Share the venue conditions, approved setup area, power access and timing restrictions with every vendor. Vendors quote based on what you tell them; conditions you did not mention may affect delivery, setup and operation.
- Document collection. Keep copies of the venue confirmation, SCDF permit (if required), SFA permit (if required) and each vendor's quotation. The venue owner or an inspector may ask for these during setup.
Following this checklist does not guarantee compliance with all requirements. Regulations change, and your specific event may have conditions not covered here. Verify the current rules with the relevant agencies before your event.
For carnival game, food station and entertainment rental options to include in your event brief, browse the carnival games, carnival food and all rentals pages.