For the first time since 2020, Regent Street has prohibited traffic to allow space for holiday shoppers and seasonal festivities.

On Saturday, the iconic street in central London was closed to vehicles from 14:00 to 21:00 GMT, becoming a “festive mile” filled with shopping, entertainment, and food, as reported by the event organizers.

Vintage red buses lined the street, with various activities including a selfie station, a gift-wrapping area, and a disco event hosted by the refugee charity Choose Love, which featured live performances.

The last time Regent Street experienced weekend traffic restrictions in the lead-up to Christmas was in 2020, aimed at promoting shopping in the area.

Karen Baines, marketing director of The Crown Estate, who orchestrated the traffic-free event, stated, “We aim to spread the holiday spirit, and closing Regent Street to vehicles fosters that atmosphere, encouraging people to return.”

She emphasized the significance of this period for retailers and eateries, describing it as their “golden quarter.” Baines estimated that nearly 73 million visitors frequent this central shopping destination each year.

When questioned about the potential for more future events, she replied, “We’ll see how things unfold, but it’s already extremely busy.”

Regent Street showcases Grade II listed architecture and is home to several flagship stores, including Burberry, Apple, and Armani.

In September, Oxford Street also went traffic-free for a day as part of an experiment to explore the mayor of London’s traffic ban proposals for that area.

The mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have outlined a plan to pedestrianize Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. A public consultation on this initiative began in November and will run until January 2026.

The recent pedestrianization of Regent Street was a distinct, one-day event organized by The Crown Estate.