New Yorkers will have access to “Open Streets” again this year, city transportation officials announced on Thursday — kicking off the season next month with an expanded list of street closures throughout the city.
City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the “largest-ever Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day event” will take place on April 26 with a record number of car-free streets and expanded events in Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and on Staten Island.
The annual DOT event makes select city streets car-free and promotes environmental awareness and sustainable modes of transportation.
The event will also officially start the city’s Open Streets and Public Space Programming season.
“Car-Free Earth Day is a chance for New Yorkers to enjoy our city’s world-class streetscapes as open spaces for all,” Rodriguez said. “We only have one planet — temporary public art, programming, music, and other activities at dozens of car-free streets around New York City will help us remember: we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and respect our environment.”
On April 26, 54 car-free streets and plazas will be across the city—up from 53 locations last year. Activities will take place on select streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Signature Open Streets locations are listed below, but a full list of Car-Free Earth Day streets on April 26 can be found at nyc.gov/dot.
NYC DOT Signature Locations
The Bronx
- East 188 Street between East Fordham Road and Valentine Avenue
- Creston Avenue between East 188 Street to East Fordham Road
- Valentine Avenue between East 188 Street and East Fordham Road
Brooklyn
- Fifth Avenue between 40 Street to 50 Street
Manhattan
- Broadway between 17 Street and 46 Street
- St. Nicholas Avenue between 181 Street and 190 Street
- Dyckman Street between Broadway and La Marina/Inwood Hill Park
Queens
- Woodside Avenue between 75 Street and 78 Street
Staten Island
- Port Richmond Avenue between Richmond Terrace and Castleton Avenue
NYC DOT also announced that five artists have been commissioned to provide temporary, environmentally focused artworks along certain routes through the NYC DOT Art program.
New York-based illustrator Ishita Jain’s illustration, titled Branching, honoring some of the oldest New Yorkers—the city’s trees—will be featured on 300 JCDecaux bus shelters citywide.
The popular NYC DOT Art Stop Letters will also be part of the Car-Free Earth Day event with a new botanical design by NYC-based illustrator Caitlin Keegan.
Open Streets started during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since grown to become an annual tradition that encourages more foot traffic on select streets periodically closed off to vehicular traffic.
Jackson Chabot, director of advocacy and organization at Open Plans, an organization that promotes more pedestrian space in NYC, said Open Streets events help promote biking, walking and a “sustainable future” for the Big Apple.
“People-centered streets are powerful. They create new opportunities for New Yorkers to walk and bike, help us build a sustainable future, and give us new space to gather and connect,” Chabot said. “We’re thankful to DOT for continuing to expand these vital programs and look forward to celebrating Open Streets all summer long.”
A full list of open streets for the 2025 season is available on the DOT’s website.
