City officials have just unveiled their plans to repeat the successful initiative from the previous year. Once again, during several weekends in December, Fifth Avenue will be designated as a car-free zone, serving as the town’s unique way of celebrating the holiday season.
The 2023 Open Streets program, which had generated an impressive $3 million in local business revenue last year, will see an expansion of approximately 25% in the upcoming month. This expansion will encompass the closure of traffic on Fifth Avenue, running from 48th Street to 59th Street.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the iconic Fifth Avenue Open Street this holiday season, aiming to make it even bigger and better than before. He mentioned how the vibrant atmosphere on Fifth Avenue last year was truly electrifying and confirmed the city’s commitment to permanently reimagining Fifth Avenue to offer this incredible experience year-round.
While the prospect of making Fifth Avenue permanently car-free remains uncertain, the public will have a sneak peek of this experience on December 3, 10, and 17, from noon to 6 pm when the avenue will be exclusively accessible to pedestrians.
According to an official press release, these designated Sundays will also feature a variety of food and beverage vendors and captivating performances to enhance the festive spirit.
Open Streets will extend beyond Fifth Avenue, encompassing areas around popular tourist attractions like Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, particularly busy during the holiday season.
NBC New York reports that from November 29 through January 2024, 49th Street and 50th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, will be open exclusively to pedestrians from 11 am to midnight every day. This is a golden opportunity to explore the city on foot during this joyous season.
