Car-free pedestrian zone on Sundays in Gastown to return every summer, starting in 2026

For the third consecutive summer, a pedestrian zone will return to Water Street in downtown Vancouver’s historic Gastown district. While the inaugural activation in Summer 2024 created a weeks-long, vehicle-free pedestrian zone, it proved highly controversial among businesses, with many reporting significant financial losses during the extended period. In response to this feedback, the City of Vancouver adjusted its approach for Summer 2025, introducing a Sundays-only, vehicle-free pedestrian zone. This revised approach received highly positive feedback. City surveys showed 81 per cent support among business respondents who wanted to see the program return, along with 84 per cent support from the general public. You might also like: - This is the plan to transform Gastown's streets for pedestrians and events, starting with a $25-million overhaul of Maple Tree Square - Gastown hotel tower proposal includes rooftop restaurant destination with panoramic views - Holborn Group proposes 38-storey social housing tower for Gastown - $10-million new permanent Bute-Robson plaza finished, cementing car-free space in the West End - No timeline to fix Gastown Steam Clock, stuck on wrong time for at least weeks - Car-free revival plan for Granville Strip approved by Vancouver City Council - Can this office tower design succeed where others failed at Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver? Today, the municipal government announced that the Water Street Pedestrian Zone will return on Sundays only, from July 5 to Sept. 6, 2026 operating between noon and 8 p.m. — also coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup period, during a time when Gastown also sees an influx of tourists particularly from cruise ships. Programming on Water Street will be led by the Gastown Business Improvement Society, with support from the City. Additionally, Vancouver City Council has given final approval to the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, developed through a three-year planning...