Walnut, 18 Streets Closing To Cars Sundays Through April

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's Center City District is bringing back its Open Streets: West Walnut for four Sundays this spring, and it starts this weekend.

On Sundays, April 6 to April 27, pedestrians are invited to shop, stroll and socialize along seven blocks of car-free space.

The program launched as a pilot in September 2024 in support of neighboring restaurants and retailers.

CCD collected data to analyze its initial impact, including surveys from those businesses, with nearly 90 percent reporting an increase in foot traffic to their storefronts. The average increase in traffic across respondents was 86 percent, though some retailers cited increases as high as 300 percent above their typical Sunday.

To build upon that success, the program continued for two Sundays in December in anticipation of the holiday shopping season, with nearly 70 percent of businesses indicating an increase in foot traffic and over half (55 percent) reporting a sales increase by an average of 24 percent.

"From the moment we closed the street on that first ‘Open Streets’ Sunday, it was clear that we had created something special," Prema Katari Gupta, President and CEO of CCD, said. "In addition to driving pedestrian traffic, visibility and sales to retailers and restaurants, our goal was to prove that streets filled with people drive more business than streets filled with cars."

The hours for Open Streets: West Walnut are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with street closures starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. along the program route: 18th Street from Chestnut to Locust and Walnut Street from 15th to 19th.

Cross streets will remain open to cars at select intersections, including 16th Street, 17th Street, 19th Street and the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Sansom Street.

The pedestrian-only thoroughfares will act as an extension of public space, with Rittenhouse Square’s 18th and Walnut entrance being a direct link to the park. Streets will be used as walkways, allowing retailers to expand outdoors. Some plan to offer exclusive discounts, in-store entertainment or special incentives as part of Open Streets: West Walnut.

Food and beverages will be sold exclusively at restaurants along the route, with many expanding their tables onto the sidewalk. Open containers of alcohol will not be permitted, and takeout food will be at the discretion of the restaurants.

CCD will provide ambient entertainment, including acoustic musicians, dancers,and an appearance by the Easter Bunny on April 20. Along the 1800 block of Walnut Street, a kid-friendly zone will feature sidewalk chalk, bubbles, games and toys. Seating pods will be set up along each block.

A full schedule of entertainment and the list of participating businesses is online here.

There will be no supplemental vendors on the street; visitors are encouraged to support the businesses located on the closed streets and surrounding areas.