West Walnut returns with pedestrian-only enjoyable – Metro Philadelphia

Open Streets: West Walnut debuted in September and returned for a particular vacation version.

R. Rabena for VISIT PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia is constant to supply distinctive methods to discover Center City with the return of Open Streets: West Walnut this fall, which can span six Sundays from Sept. 7 to Oct. 12.

This sophomore seasonal session marks the one-year anniversary of the activation, and with its rising recognition, 2025 will see two extra dates added in comparison with final yr.

Proven increase for native companies

The fashionable program debuted in September of 2024 and was a direct hit. In reality, as a launch notes, Center City District collected knowledge to investigate its preliminary influence, together with surveys from space companies, with almost 90% reporting a rise in foot site visitors to their storefronts. The common improve in site visitors throughout respondents was 86%, although some retailers cited will increase as excessive as 300% above their typical Sunday operations.

The program continued for 2 Sundays in December in anticipation of the vacation procuring season, with almost 70% of companies indicating a rise in foot site visitors and over half (55%) reporting a gross sales improve by a mean of 24%. April of this yr introduced greater than 115,000 guests to the event. Data from the spring season confirmed that common pedestrian volumes have been up 20% in comparison with Sundays in April 2024, whereas driving general visitation to the bigger Rittenhouse Row hall was 8% greater in comparison with the identical timeframe.

So, secure to say this system is working its magic.

“As we mark one year of Open Streets: West Walnut, we are thrilled to build on the success of the program and scale to 6 Sundays this fall,” says CCD President and CEO, Prema Katari Gupta. “This program provides a model of how a more pedestrian-focused Philadelphia ought to evolve — expanding public space, creating great opportunities to gather, and supporting the success of Center City’s retail and restaurant scene.”

How the closures will work

On these set dates subsequent season, road closures begin at 7 a.m. and finish at 6 p.m. alongside this system route, which incorporates 18th Street from Chestnut to Locust and Walnut Street from fifteenth to nineteenth.

Note that cross streets will stay open to automobiles at choose intersections, together with sixteenth, seventeenth and nineteenth streets and the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Sansom Street. Open Streets’ official hours will run from 10 a.m. to five p.m. The pedestrian-only thoroughfares will act as an extension of public area, with Rittenhouse Square’s 18th and Walnut entrance being a direct hyperlink to the park.

It’s as much as companies alongside the routes to find out how they benefit from the area—some plan to supply unique reductions, in-store leisure or particular incentives. Food and drinks shall be offered completely at eating places alongside the route (with many increasing their tables onto the sidewalk.) Open containers of alcohol is not going to be permitted, and takeout meals shall be on the discretion of the eating places.

The fall version of this fan-favorite collection can also be planning some additional leisure within the type of bubble magic, busker-style musicians and pop-up performances. A delegated family-friendly zone will characteristic video games and toys for all ages, plus, seating pods shall be arrange alongside the route. On choose Sundays, friends can watch the Philadelphia Eagles play at choose companies streaming the motion as properly.

A full schedule of leisure might be discovered at centercityphila.org/openstreets.