“Open Canal Street” Celebration on Saturday July 8th

Expanding its pedestrian-only street experiments (e.g. “Open Newbury Street”) the City of Boston is shutting down Canal Street in the Bulfinch Triangle to vehicular traffic from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 8. On the two-block Canal Street stretch, people will be free to mill about the street “to dine, relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Boston’s West End.”

The “Open Canal Street” celebration will feature displays from area businesses and organizations. The West End Museum will participate, hosting a tabletop exhibit featuring archive photos of the Old West End and more. Restaurants and hotels will provide a variety of outdoor food options. There will be entertainment for kids and adults alike, including Celtics mascot “Lucky,” the Celtics Green Team and live bands, plus music from Country 102.5. City of Boston staff will be on hand to discuss the long term transformation of Canal Street.

Canal Street, between Causeway Street and Market Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic between 10 AM and 8 PM.  Anthony “Rip” Valenti Way, between Haverhill Street and Merrimac Street will also be closed to traffic from 10 AM to 8 PM.

Parking restrictions for this event will be as follows.

• “Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Saturday”
• Canal Street, both sides, Market Street to Causeway Street
• Anthony “Rip” Valenti Way, both sides, Haverhill Street to Merrimac Street
• Friend Street, both sides, Anthony ‘Rip” Valenti Way to Market Street/Merrimac Street

Canal Street is also part of the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s North Station Area Mobility Plan, which in connection with the Boston Transportation Department will develop near-term, multimodal transportation improvements in the areas immediately adjacent to North Station.

All are welcome. Visitors are encouraged to encouraged to utilize public transit the day of the event.