New Yorkers looking for a little holiday spirit in Midtown Manhattan this weekend will have much more room to enjoy iconic landmarks, from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to the luxury shops of Fifth Avenue.
The city Department of Transportation (DOT) resumes its Holiday Open Streets program for the fourth consecutive year this Sunday, December 14. The agency will close several blocks of Midtown to vehicular traffic for six hours, from 12 pm to 6 pm, leaving more space for pedestrians to enjoy the area during peak hours.
The heart of this Sunday’s Open Streets plan will be Fifth Avenue, which will be closed to cars between 48th and 57th streets. Other nearby streets that will also be closed to vehicular traffic during that time are 49th and 57th streets, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Drivers are advised to avoid the Midtown area between 8 am and 8 pm on Sunday.
“Midtown Manhattan is one of the best places in the world to celebrate the holiday season, and we’re bringing some car-free holiday cheer to Fifth Avenue,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement.
“Providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits iconic locations like Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall and Central Park during the holiday season is not only cause for celebration for pedestrians, but also for local businesses, which will see increased visitor traffic,” he added.
Additionally, West 49th and 50th streets, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, will be open only to pedestrians each day between 11 a.m. and 1 a.m., until January 4 of next year.
Edward Pincar Jr., president of the Fifth Avenue Association, praised the program as “a holiday tradition that New Yorkers and visitors from around the world look forward to each holiday season.”
“Open Streets creates a unique opportunity for visitors to experience Christmas magic in the city’s most iconic shopping corridor, while enjoying live musical performances, shopping pop-ups and festive decorations and window displays,” he added.
In previous years, the Holiday Open Streets program has helped businesses along these streets generate millions of dollars in additional revenue, according to the city.
