Once again, downtown Salt Lake City transforms into a vibrant, car-free street party during weekend evenings, encouraging community interaction and supporting local businesses.
The initiative, known as Open Streets, has evolved from its inception five years ago as a response to COVID-19 lockdowns, becoming a beloved fixture in the city’s cultural landscape.
Kicking off this year’s festivities, the streets were bustling with visitors, families, and a variety of performers as artists, musicians, and other attractions filled the temporarily closed sections of Main Street and the surrounding blocks from South Temple to 400 South.
Every Friday and Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. through June, residents and visitors alike can enjoy this pedestrian-friendly reimagining of downtown.
This year, the Open Streets party encompasses ten blocks of downtown, creating a lively atmosphere where people can stroll, dine, and engage with their surroundings.
Notably, this weekend’s events coincided with the celebrations for the Utah Pride Festival, centered just a block away at Washington Square near City Hall.
Open Streets is a city-supported initiative designed to revitalize the downtown area through diverse activities and entertainment, bringing together performers, games, art installations, and public stages that enhance the cultural fabric of the area.
Restaurants are experiencing eased regulations for outdoor dining, leading to packed patios and spirited crowds.
On the opening day of Open Streets, Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez took a walking tour with other officials through the four distinct themed zones, highlighting various aspects of downtown life.
Chavez remarked that the temporary restrictions on north-south vehicular traffic have reinvigorated Main Street, drawing attention to its historic roots as a walkable urban core.
“One hundred years ago, Main Street was a walkable urban core,” Chavez noted.
She further emphasized that by examining the city’s archives, it becomes clear that they are reviving this pedestrian experience in a contemporary setting, ensuring a coexistence of vehicles and pedestrians in a safe manner.
Chavez described Open Streets as a prime example of effective place-making, creating safe spaces for entertainment and casual strolling.
This year’s Open Streets offers a fresh perspective on Salt Lake City’s urban environment as participants move further south along Main Street.
The section between South Temple and 100 South has been designated as the Family Commons, featuring family-friendly games, jugglers, and engaging spectacles near City Creek Center.
From 100 South to 200 South, the area has been dubbed Arts Avenue, showcasing live musical performances and public art installations, enhancing the artistic ambiance of downtown.
The stretch from 200 South to 300 South is themed as a Village Market, focusing on local vendors and small businesses that display their goods in booths, complemented by a community stage adjacent to the John W. Gallivan Utah Center plaza.
Finally, the segment from 300 South to 400 South is known as Restaurant Row, where various eateries are offering outdoor seating, alongside an outdoor beer garden at Exchange Place and live DJs providing entertainment, all amid a mini-golf installation.
With its themes and activities, Open Streets aims to foster community, support local businesses, and re-establish downtown Salt Lake City as a bustling, pedestrian-friendly area.
image source from：https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/07/see-how-downtown-salt-lake-city/
