Regent Street in central London is set to be closed to traffic for a day of festive celebrations, marking the first car-free event on the street since 2020. Between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, the street will be pedestrianised on Saturday, 6 December, from 14:00 to 21:00 GMT, creating what organisers are calling a “festive mile” for Christmas shopping and entertainment.
During the event, traffic will be replaced by pop-up food and drink stalls, roving performers, and family-friendly activities. Three vintage red double-decker buses will be stationed along the street, offering bookable craft sessions, gift wrapping, a seasonal “selfie station”, and a disco bus featuring live music from DJs and choirs. Local shops will also participate, offering special deals to visitors on the day.
The car-free event follows a similar experiment on Oxford Street in September, which demonstrated the potential for pedestrianisation as part of the mayor of London’s wider plans to reduce traffic in central shopping areas. Regent Street is renowned for its Grade II listed buildings and curved façades, and is home to iconic stores including Hamleys, Apple, Armani, Polo, and Burberry.
The street was last closed to traffic at weekends before Christmas in 2020 as part of a pilot to encourage shopping and enhance the festive atmosphere. Organisers hope that the 2025 event will recreate that experience, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy Christmas lights, seasonal activities, and a traffic-free shopping environment.
