After 2024's pedestrian-friendly pilot project in Gastown, 2025 will see car-free days return to the historic neighbourhood with a series of themed events.
Inspired by other pedestrian-first activities around the world and the return of the Water Street Pedestrian Pilot, Gastown will host a series of events with four rotating themes this summer.
"It’s street-level culture, served up weekly in the heart of Vancouver’s most iconic neighbourhood," according to a press release from the Gastown BIA.
Themed events on the cobblestones
The four themes are the Streetside Sessions (based on the growing trend of coffee shop parties), Open Air Atelier (focused on art), Gastown in Bloom (an open-air flower market theme), and Unscripted Sundays (which will be a series of Sundays with less programming going on).
The four themes will rotate starting on June 15 and running until August 27:
- Streetside Sessions: June 15, July 27, August 31
- Open Air Atelier: June 22, July 13, August 3
- Gastown in Bloom: June 29, July 20, August 17
- Unscripted Sunday: July 6, August 10, August 27
"Gastown Sunday Set is part of the larger City of Vancouver Public Spaces Plan," explains the Gastown BIA's webpage for the events.
"The Sunday closures are meant to test a pedestrian-friendly environment in Gastown aimed at enhancing the area’s public realm while maintaining access for businesses and residents. What we learn this summer will inform the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, which will guide future investments in the area."
Traffic change in Gastown
Along with the weekend pedestrian zones in Gastown, a traffic change started this week in the same area: Cordova is now a two-way street.
