Open Newbury kicks off summer series to last through September

Newbury Street closed to cars and welcomed a wealth of pedestrian traffic Sunday – kicking off a series of summer programming as part of the city’s Open Streets events. “Opening our streets makes it possible for residents to engage with their neighborhood in a new way, or to explore a new part of the City for the first time,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Boston Chief of Streets. “We’ve seen how local communities can flourish when we create a safe environment for walking, biking, and recreation.” Open Newbury started off Sunday and will occur every Sunday through Sept. 21, skipping only Aug. 31. During the events, Newbury Street closes to car traffic and encourages businesses to, “activate their outdoor spaces with programming such as family-friendly activities, pop-up parklets and brand activations.” Newbury Street in Back Bay closes for a mile-long, eight-block stretch from Berkeley St. to Mass Ave. during the events to allow for the outdoor dining, shopping and more. Parking is banned along the route beginning at 5 a.m. on the Sundays, and the street closes to cars from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open Newbury was launched first as a pilot in 2016 and has grown every year since to incorporate more small business and resident programming. “The restaurants, retailers, and service businesses along the iconic street, and the entire Back Bay area, benefit from the exposure that Open Newbury provides and through the draw of new visitors, especially those who may not otherwise shop or dine in the neighborhood,” said Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association. Open Newbury is scheduled to return for one winter Sunday on Dec. 7 for holiday shopping. The city also holds Open Streets events at neighborhoods across the city on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer and fall months from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Open Streets launched in 2022 in just Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury and now includes five neighborhoods. Roxbury hosted the first Open Streets event of the season Saturday. The programming is set to continue in Hyde Park on Aug. 10, Dorchester on Sept. 14, Mattapan on Oct. 18, and Jamaica Plain on Nov. 2. The programming varies across the neighborhoods, but each event includes “food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, interactive games, photo installations, exclusive performances and activations, and Pedicabs,” city officials said. “When we see streets shut down to car traffic, community gets to take over, small businesses have tables out in the street, kids are running back and forth, music, dancing, food, it’s the best of what our public spaces look like,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Open Streets is all about creating opportunities for neighbors to spend time together and show off everything that makes your neighborhood special, to deepen relationships on your block and across communities.” More information on the Open Streets 2025 series and Open Newbury can be found on the boston.gov. Boston, MA - People walk down Newbury St. during the Open Streets event Sunday. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)