London may extend outdoor concerts to midnight [Video]

Changes proposed to the city’s Special Events By-law would allow outdoor concerts and music festivals to play later – but not louder.

On Monday, a public meeting was held at city hall regarding proposed changes to the Special Events By-law that regulates events including Rock the Park and Sunfest.

Currently outdoor concerts must end at 11:00 p.m., but after consultation with the industry, city staff recommend extending the performance time until midnight.

“If you extend the event for an hour to midnight, [you] neglect to recognize that the thousands of people that attend these events need to clear out after the event is done,” argued Anna Maria Valastro, who lives in the North Talbot neighbourhood near Harris Park.

Valastro said it takes time for the large crowds of excited people to leave the venue and filter through her neighbourhood into the downtown.

Sunfest Founder Alfredo Caxaj told the committee that …