Center City’s popular pedestrian-friendly shopping experience is set to return for one final Sunday in 2025.
Open Streets: West Walnut, made possible by the Center City District (CCD), is coming back with a special holiday edition on Sunday, December 7.
Since its launch in 2024, Open Streets has welcomed over 150,000 visitors. And now for the first time, CCD will expand the route to include the 1400 block of Walnut Street.
In honor of Open Streets: West Walnut, organizers said CCD will host a one-of-a-kind installation at the intersection of 18th and Walnut streets — a baby grand piano made entirely of ice.
Artists from Ice Sculpture Philly will build the piano throughout the day, allowing passersby to observe the process. Then, by the afternoon, spectators can enjoy a live performance.
In addition to the ice piano, you can expect entertainment throughout the day, a visit from Santa Claus, holiday carolers and more.
And if you’re hungry, you are encouraged to enjoy a meal or cocktail at one of the many restaurants along the route.
Organizers said the hours for Open Streets: West Walnut are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with street closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Walnut Street from Broad to 19th and along 18th Street from Chestnut to Locust. Sansom, 15th, 16th, and 17th streets will remain open to vehicular traffic.
“In 2025, visitors from every corner of Philadelphia came to Center City to experience our commercial corridors re-imagined as pedestrian-focused thoroughfares,” CCD President and CEO Prema Katari Gupta said. “This holiday season, we’re excited to deck the halls and bring the community together for a day of shopping and holiday festivities along our premier retail corridor, Rittenhouse Row.”
To find the full list of participating businesses, schedule of entertainment, frequently asked questions and more, visit centercityphila.org/openstreets.