Regent Street Set for a Festive Pedestrian Takeover This December
Westminster is preparing for a car-free Christmas on Regent Street as the West End’s best known shopping street shuts to traffic for an afternoon of festive celebrations on Saturday 6 December. The section between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus will be given over to people on foot from 14:00 to 21:00, with stalls, music and family-friendly events planned along the curve of the street.
Organisers describe the closure as a “festive mile”, turning one of central London’s busiest roads into a place to stroll, shop and meet friends without buses and taxis running past. They say the aim is to give residents, workers and visitors “a chance to enjoy Regent Street at its best” in the run-up to Christmas.
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The plans follow a car-free day on nearby Oxford Street in September, used to test how temporary traffic restrictions might work during busy periods. Both streets sit at the heart of Westminster’s efforts to improve air quality and make the West End more welcoming for people on foot.
As part of the car-free Christmas, three vintage red double decker buses will be parked along the route, each with a different seasonal role. One will offer bookable craft sessions, another will host gift wrapping and a festive photo area, and a third will become a disco bus with DJs and choirs performing through the afternoon and into the evening.
Shoppers can expect a mix of pop-up food and drink stalls, local offers and the usual Regent Street Christmas lights against the backdrop of its Grade II listed façades. The street is home to the original Hamleys toy shop as well as flagship stores for brands such as Apple, Armani, Polo and Burberry, all of which are likely to see a surge in footfall while traffic is diverted.
Residents and traders can find out more about the temporary closures here.
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