Open Streets Returns to Center City With Expanded Schedule

Open Streets Returns to Center City With Expanded 2026 Schedule

Philadelphia’s popular Open Streets program is returning to Center City in 2026, giving residents and visitors more opportunities to walk, shop, dine and enjoy city streets without vehicle traffic.

The spring portion of the program, Open Streets: West Walnut returns to Center City on Sept. 13, bringing seven straight Sundays of car-free fun. During these Sundays, Walnut Street will be closed between Broad and 19th streets from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 18th Street will be closed from Chestnut to Locust streets.

The event transforms the area around Rittenhouse Square into a pedestrian-friendly destination, with businesses able to extend activities outdoors and visitors encouraged to explore the neighborhood on foot.

One visitor described the experience as “really fun,” adding, “They shut down the streets and Parc has all the tables outside. We just walked around and went into the shops, and it was really fun.”

The program is designed to encourage outdoor activity while supporting Center City restaurants, retailers and other businesses. For residents and visitors, it also offers a chance to experience some of Philadelphia’s busiest streets from a different perspective—without cars.

Open Streets Returns to Center City With Expanded 2026 Schedule was originally published on rnbphilly.com