Boston to – Mayor Michelle Wu says Boston will scale back Open Newbury Street events this year, citing a summer calendar packed with major programs, including World Cup-related activities, the city’s 250th anniversary, and the Tall Ships visit. The city has not released O
On the days when Newbury Street goes car-free, the city’s mood changes. For shoppers, residents, and visitors, the closed corridor has become part of the summer rhythm — but Mayor Michelle Wu said this year that rhythm will be quieter.
In a Reddit response, Wu wrote that Boston will scale back Open Newbury Street events in 2024. She did not say the events would disappear. Instead, she said Boston is doing fewer Open Streets events this year because June and July are “mega-programmed with lots of events already.”
Wu pointed to the broader calendar as the deciding factor: each year. she said. the city looks at the entire schedule. including non-City events that also require public safety and streets coordination capacity. Her message was direct: “We’re always trying to do things more efficiently to be able to increase our capacity.”.
The city has not yet released dates for Open Newbury Street. The event typically closes the Back Bay shopping corridor to traffic on 10 Sundays during the summer and one in the winter for a special holiday stroll. This year, Boston has signaled that the schedule will not match that usual run.
Boston has announced other Open Streets events in Jamaica Plain, Allston/Brighton, Mattapan, and Roslindale between August and October. Wu’s decision means there is one fewer Open Streets event in that stretch than there was last year.
In her response, Wu also asked residents not to assume the change is permanent. She said after the big summer events end, Boston will return to regular programming in 2027.
The city did not respond to a request asking when it will release dates for Open Newbury Street or how many events will be held.
Open Newbury Street Michelle Wu Open Streets Boston 250th anniversary Tall Ships World Cup events Back Bay car-free weekends
So they’re just canceling it? Sounds like Boston hates fun now.
World Cup stuff? Tall Ships? 250th anniversary? That’s a lot. But if Newbury Street isn’t car-free those weekends, what do tourists even do.
She said 2027 it’s back to “regular programming” which is wild, like why not just do fewer and keep the tradition. Also I’m confused because it says she didn’t say disappear but then it says one fewer event?? So… still on or not on.
I saw this on Facebook like “Open Newbury Street cuts back” and thought it was because of crime or something lol. Turns out it’s like staffing/public safety capacity with other events. Still, June and July are packed so maybe it’s safer to just shut down everything? Not sure. Boston always changing plans anyway.