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Apply for a public entertainment licence

You need a licence to provide some types of entertainment if members of the public are admitted. This applies to free and paid-for performances.

Complete your application form and send it to the address on the form. You must apply at least two months before the licence is needed and include any supporting documents necessary to process your application. Without this we can not guarantee your licence will be ready when you need it.

Each licence has a number of conditions that you should read before applying. This includes a condition that you must not be disqualified from holding a licence or have applied for the same licence in the last year.

After you apply

There is a minimum consultation period of 28 days before applications are considered. This allows people to submit objections or representations before a decision is made. We'll contact you after this.

Available licences

Information on fees and any supporting documents you'll need to send are included on the forms.

Check all our licensing fees.

Find out about each licence by clicking the + plus signs.

Available licences

Public entertainment licences

Cinema

Public performance of plays

Hypnotism performance or demonstration

Bungee jumping

Circus

Fireworks display

Find out about fireworks and explosives licensing

Funfair

Indoor music event or festival

If you hold a music event or festival in a premises that holds 350 people or more you need a licence.

Outdoor music event or festival

Sunbed and tanning centre

Performances and events that do not need a licence

The following types of event and performance do not need a licence:

  • an athletic or sports ground while being used as such
  • premises in respect of which an indoor sports entertainment licence under section 41A of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 is required while such premises are being used for the purpose mentioned in that section
  • a sexual entertainment venue (as defined in section 45A) in relation to which Schedule 2 (as modified for the purposes of section 45B) has effect, while being used as such
  • an educational establishment while being used as such
  • premises belonging to or occupied by any religious body while being used wholly or mainly for purposes connected with that body
  • premises licensed under section 1 of the Cinemas Act 1985
  • premises in respect of which there is a club gaming permit (within the meaning of section 271 of the Gambling Act 2005 (c.19)) or a prize gaming permit (within the meaning of section 289 of that Act of 2005)
  • premises in respect of which a premises licence within the meaning of section 17 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 has effect in which public entertainment is being provided during licensed hours within the meaning of that Act (for the avoidance of doubt premises operating under an occasional licence are no longer exempt)
  • premises in which machines for entertainment or amusement are being provided incidentally to the main purpose or use of the premises where that main purpose or use is not as a place of public entertainment
  • such other premises as the Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument specify