The City of Cambridge's Economic Opportunity and Development Division has launched the Cambridge Nightlife Industry and Thriving Entertainment Spaces (NITES) Grant as a pilot program to support and highlight the city's nightlife and entertainment sector. Designed to encourage public engagement and economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, this grant provides funding for outdoor, public, nighttime events during June 2025.
The program will fund 4–5 events with grants of up to $5,000 per awardee. Events must take place in public spaces within Cambridge and be held between 7:00 and 10:00 PM. All events must be free and open to the public, with awardees responsible for full event production by June 30, 2025. Events can be shorter than the full three-hour window but must take place within the specified time frame.
Eligibility is open to Cambridge-based businesses and nonprofit performance organizations. The program prioritizes applicants in four tiers: (1) existing nightlife and entertainment venues, (2) bars and restaurants currently offering live entertainment, (3) existing nonprofit performance organizations, and (4) bars and restaurants interested in offering live entertainment in the future.
The grant application deadline is March 30, 2025, and applicants will be notified of decisions by April 16, 2025. The EOD Division will assist with permitting, location coordination, and overall marketing of Cambridge NITES. Awardees must submit a post-event evaluation and provide media content (photos, videos) from their event.
Tentative event locations include Brattle Square, Palmer Street, Porter Square, Lafayette Park, Kendall Square areas, and others, with applicant-suggested locations also welcome.
