Looking to showcase your creative talents and bring some serious buzz to downtown? The City of London just dropped some major news that could be your ticket to street fame.
Dundas Place is on the hunt for fresh ideas to transform the flexible street into an even more vibrant hotspot, and they’re calling on Londoners to step up with their most innovative concepts.
The City is now accepting proposals for “Dundas Place Activations” – temporary, small-scale events, installations, or displays that will inject energy and creativity into the popular downtown strip. Past successful activations that have already won over crowds include Friday Night Salsa, Sunday Afternoon Jazz, and Book Nook.
The call is open to community groups, non-profit organizations, and individual residents with a flair for the extraordinary. If you’ve been dreaming of organizing something spectacular in a public space, this is your golden opportunity.
Stretching from Wellington to Ridout Streets, Dundas Place has established itself as a flexible space perfect for shopping, dining, and celebration. The area’s wide sidewalks and absence of curbs create the perfect canvas for your creative vision, whether it’s patios, sidewalk sales, or street performances.
What sets an “Activation” apart from a regular special event? According to the City, activations are typically smaller-scale and occur more frequently, while special events tend to be larger and happen less often.
Successful applicants will receive operational support from the Dundas Place team, potentially including equipment, financial backing for artist fees and eligible event expenses, organizational assistance, and promotion through Dundas Place’s official social media channels.
The City is particularly interested in proposals scheduled between May and November 2025, with a focus on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, as well as Sundays during the day – times when portions of Dundas Place will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Londoners with experience organizing outdoor public events or those with established community followings are especially encouraged to apply. The City is seeking partners who can present clear activation ideas with strong thematic focus, actively oversee the event, promote it to a dedicated audience, and bring subject matter expertise or relevant skills to enhance the experience.
Proposals can utilize a portion of the sidewalk (with the street open to traffic), Market Lane, or an entire City block closed to traffic, offering flexibility based on the scale and nature of your activation concept.
Ready to make your mark on Dundas Place? Interested individuals and groups can submit their proposals through the online application form.
For more information about events and visiting Dundas Place, the City encourages residents to visit london.ca/dundasplace.