Open Streets program

Carefree and car-free! No exhaust fumes, no darn honking horns, and no watching while you cross the intersection. That’s right. Philly is taking it to the streets in the Rittenhouse Row area. Part of West Walnut Street in Center City Philadelphia will be closed to vehicles for two glorious Sundays. It will be part of the Center City District’s Open Streets program. It will be a street takeover. Closed will be sections of Walnut Street and 18th Street in Rittenhouse Row to create open space to shop, walk, and socialize along nearly seven blocks. The hours for West Walnut are 11 a.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST, from the 15th to the 19th. Cross streets will remain open to cars at select intersections, including 16th, 17th, and 19th streets, and on the 1700 and 1800 blocks of Sansom Street. The Center City District officials say that fewer cars mean more business in the area. Check out the entertainment including acoustic musicians and holiday carolers in these traffic-free areas. On the 1800 block of Walnut Street, enjoy a kid-friendly zone with games and story-time events with Santa Claus. Seating pods will be set up in the streets, including an area on South 18th Street where passersby can watch holiday movies. Watch the Eagles’ games broadcast live at 1 p.m. EST on December 8 and at 4:05 p.m. EST on December 15. Free admission, 11 a.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. Rittenhouse Row. online here or https://centercityphila.org/explore-center-city/openstreets.