Open Newbury Street
Whether you’re shopping, dining out, or just going for a walk, pedestrian-only days on Newbury Street are a Boston summer staple.
Newbury Street is a mile-long, eight block stretch of shops, salons, galleries and restaurants. This famous Boston street becomes a pedestrian-only walkway on Sundays in the summer. The street is closed to vehicles to allow pedestrians the opportunity to use the full width of the street, from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue.
Event Information
The City of Boston is relaunching Open Newbury Street starting on July 2, 2023, through October 15, 2023, for 16 consecutive Sundays of car-free Newbury Street.
Open Newbury Street will occur on these Sundays in 2023:
- July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30
- August 6, August 13, August 20, and August 27
- September 3, September 10, September 17, and September 24
- October 1, October 8, and October 15
Are you interested in writing about Open Newbury Street for a publication? Check out the press kit, including event photography.
How do you feel about Open Newbury Street? Send your thoughts to OpenNewbury@boston.gov and mayor@boston.gov to let us know!
Getting there
Newbury Street will be car-free from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue.
The intersections of Fairfield Street, Gloucester Street and Hereford Street will be car-free. The remaining intersections will be open to vehicular traffic for public safety access and general vehicular traffic flow. Parking will be prohibited from 6am to 8pm. Any vehicles remaining after 6am will be towed.
- Arlington, Copley, Hynes stations on the Green Line
- Back Bay Station on the Orange Line, Commuter Rail, or Amtrak
- Bike corrals are stationed throughout the event.
- There are multiple Blue Bikes stations on streets adjacent to Newbury Street.
- There are multiple parking garages available in the Copley Square area south of Boylston Street.
Information for businesses
The City of Boston encourages all businesses to take part in Open Newbury Street by activating their outdoor spaces.
To participate as a business, you must have a brick-and-mortar location on Newbury Street. Do you represent a business on Newbury Street and would like to set up an event outside? Please fill out our online form to alert us to your plans. Contact the Transportation Department at opennewbury@boston.gov or 617-635-2672 with any questions.
We're excited to hear about what you're planning, and look forward to making this year's Open Newbury Street days successful for your business!
NOTE: All deliveries must be made before 9 a.m. on pedestrian-only days.
Business requirements
You may use the parking lane directly in front of your business from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Open Newbury Street days:
- Sidewalks must be kept clear for wheelchair access.
- Maintain a minimum 20-foot fire lane through the center of the street.
Please discuss your plans with your neighboring businesses to avoid conflicts!
- If you use a tent, the maximum size is 10 feet by 10 feet.
- If you play music, clear it with your neighbors and keep it under 70 decibels.
History of Open Newbury Street
The City of Boston first piloted Open Newbury Street in 2016. Thousands of people enjoyed food, shopping and dining in the street on one Sunday in August. To build on the success of the first event, we expanded Open Newbury Street to three Sundays a year in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Open Newbury Street returned for three Sundays in 2021 after a one-year hiatus. The event was held for six consecutive Sundays in late August and September in 2022.
