August brings another reason to spend your Sundays in downtown as the New Haven Open Streets Festival returns for its second year. On August 9, 16, and 23, Church Street between Chapel and Elm Streets will close to vehicle traffic from 1 to 6 p.m., creating a lively, pedestrian-friendly destination filled with live entertainment, local vendors, family activities, food, and community programming. Admission is free.
Presented by the City of New Haven’s Economic Development Administration and the Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking, the festival invites residents and visitors to experience downtown from a new perspective. Throughout the three-weekend series, Church Street becomes an open-air gathering space where local artists, musicians, performers, small businesses, and community organizations come together to celebrate the city’s creativity and culture.
Each Sunday features a different theme while offering the core experiences that define Open Streets. Visitors can enjoy live music, DJ sets, interactive performances, bounce houses, arts and crafts, lawn games, food trucks, and welcoming spaces to relax, connect, and explore.
The series kicks-off on Sunday, August 9, with a roller skating celebration that also serves as the kickoff to Black Wall Street Week. A pop-up roller rink, music, and entertainment create a high-energy opening that celebrates community while building excitement for the following weekend’s Black Wall Street Festival on the New Haven Green.
On August 16, Church Street transforms into an open-air bazaar, featuring local makers, artisans, and small businesses offering everything from handcrafted goods to specialty foods. It’s an opportunity to shop local while discovering the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to shape downtown New Haven.
The festival concludes on August 23 with a carnival-themed finale featuring family-friendly games, street entertainment, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that brings together players and spectators for one final celebration before summer comes to a close.
Whether you’re planning to roller skate through downtown, shop local vendors, or spend an afternoon enjoying live entertainment with family and friends, the New Haven Open Streets Festival offers three Sundays of free programming that showcases the energy, creativity, and community spirit of downtown New Haven.
