NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday the return and expansion of the Open Streets program around Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue for the holiday season.
The program which runs for the first three Sundays in December from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., will expand between 48th Street and 59th Street to pedestrian only zone.
“Open Streets are good for people and good for business, and we can’t wait to bring back the iconic Fifth Avenue Open Street this holiday season — bigger and better than ever,” Adams said. “I felt the energy walking down the middle of Fifth Avenue last year — it was electric. And as we get excited for more of the same this December, we’re moving full speed ahead on permanently reimagining Fifth Avenue, so people can have this incredible experience every day of the year.”
The expansion will aim to reduce crowding and enhance public safety during the busy holiday season, allowing easier access to the window displays.
In 2022, local businesses along Fifth Avenue experienced a 6.6 percent increase in spending during the Open Streets program, according to a Mastercard study.
Building on this success, Adams' administration, in partnership with the “Future of Fifth” initiative, is looking to permanently transform Fifth Avenue into a pedestrian-centered boulevard.
Additionally, the area around Rockefeller Center will be pedestrian central starting from the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree until January.
Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues will be closed to vehicles during peak hours.
More details of the programming will be released in November, the press release stated.