Latest news with #SummerStreets
Time Out
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
NYC Summer Streets is back this month and bigger than ever, with 22 miles of car-free roads
Clear your calendars and dust off your sneakers: NYC Summer Streets is rolling back into town and this year it's stretching further, louder and more joyfully than ever before. Kicking off July 26 and running for five Saturdays across all five boroughs, the citywide celebration will transform more than 22 miles of traffic-jammed roads into a human-powered playground of free fitness classes, live performances, art installations and plenty of icy freebies. In honor of the city's 400th anniversary, this year's edition is doubling down on scale and energy, with more than 400 blocks of car-free bliss. For the first time, you'll be able to walk, bike, jog—or cartwheel—your way from the Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood without seeing a single traffic light turn red. The Manhattan mega-route, open Aug. 2, 9 and 16, includes a Harlem activation along Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd with community programming and live entertainment. The series kicks off July 26 in Queens and Staten Island. Expect waterfront views along Vernon Boulevard and a new Staten Island route on Forest Avenue, complete with giveaways from Coca-Cola, Siggi's yogurt and FIFA's Skyline to Shoreline Tour. On Aug. 23, Brooklyn and the Bronx close out the season with routes along Eastern Parkway and the Grand Concourse, respectively. And if you're the competitive type (or just need a reason to break in your new Hokas), the New York Road Runners Start Line Series is bringing free 2.5-mile and 5K community races to Queens and Brooklyn. Summer Streets will also pack plenty of memorable moments along the route this year—think a giant inflatable soccer darts game from Brooklyn FC, photo ops with larger-than-life NYC letters, slushie samples from mushroom coffee brand RYZE and an interactive sculpture called Collective Bloom that turns your literal energy into art. There's even a 'Grand Lawn' pop-up at Park Avenue and 40th Street courtesy of Grand Central Terminal, complete with lawn games and snacks. Everything's free. It all happens rain or shine. And Citi Bike is even throwing in free 24-hour passes during the events (just use code LYFTSUMMER25).
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
NYC Summer Streets program set to return in July, with record number of car-free miles
More than 20 miles of car-free streets will be returning to New York City this summer, courtesy of the Summer Streets program. The annual initiative is back and the Department of Transportation says this year will be its most expansive yet, providing New Yorkers a unique way to spend a Saturday outdoors. What Summer Streets is all about The annual event has been taking over the streets of the Big Apple since 2008, with the goal of offering residents and visitors a unique way to experience the city by providing, this year, a record 22 miles of public space devoid of vehicles. For the third straight year, the program will impact all five boroughs. For the first time ever, city residents will also be able to travel the length of Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood, the DOT said Tuesday. "With Summer Streets this year, we're not only going to 125th, but we're going to Dyckman, 22 miles," DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. Queens and Brooklyn will kick off the first Saturday of the program on July 27, followed by Manhattan on Aug, 2, 9 and 16, and then Brooklyn and the Bronx on Aug. 23, with festivities running each day from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The city said the series will also include free fitness classes, bike-riding lessons, art installations, and performances. CBS News New York "It has the ability to help native New Yorkers come together" New Yorkers said they are thrilled to once again have the opportunity to take part in the program. "Sometimes people are intimidated riding bicycles in New York City, and Summer Streets is a great way to get started," Brooklyn resident Eric Brooks said. "People in New York don't have much space to be out in the street, so it's good for physical health but also mental health," Bronx resident Belkis Loia said. Brooklyn native Kaya Kulu said she grew up experiencing the event in Manhattan with her family and is glad to see it now taking place throughout the entire city. "It has the ability to help native New Yorkers come together. I really get to enjoy supporting small businesses, walking around the streets, meeting people I didn't know," Kulu said. "Everybody is so happy, so excited," another person added.
Time Out
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
It's official: outdoor street dining is coming back to London this summer
If you're loving London's current bout of warm, sunny weather but feel a bit restricted by the capital's current offering of alfresco dining options, we bring excellent news. Today (June 19) the Mayor of London has announced that a bunch of areas in the capital will be turned into outdoor eating and drinking spots this summer. Dubbed 'Summer Streets', the scheme will see some of London's most popular neighbourhood spots go car-free for longer during the summer months. The areas are spread across the city (well, south, east and central), and the project is being funded by £300,000 from the Mayor's Summer Streets Fund. So, where exactly in London is getting alfresco dining this summer? The lucky places are Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and the West End. Today's announcement follows a hint back in April that Soho could be bringing back its pandemic-era pedestrianised street dining zones. In the West End, Westminster Council will receive £100,000 to make St Martin's Lane car-free from 11am to 11pm every day. Up to 34 businesses on the street will get alfresco licences. In Shoreditch, Lambeth Council is getting £100,000 so that bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street can offer outdoor eating and drinking until midnight. Both streets will go car-free on Fridays and Saturdays. Down in Brixton, the Mayor says businesses on Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road will benefit from 400 square metres more outdoor space. In this area the scheme will only be in place on select weekends, with cars banned until 10pm. And finally, over in Leyton – which was named Time Out's coolest neighbourhood in London last year – community hub Francis Road will extend its car-free hours, and there'll also be more outdoor seating at Leyton Midland Road. Both the Leyton and Brixton schemes will get £50,000 in funding. The Summer Streets project follows the mayor being given extra powers to boost London's nightlife by the national government, and it's hoped that they'll expand in future years. Commenting on the scheme, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: 'I'm delighted to announce the first of many new al fresco hotspots across the capital to help Londoners and visitors make the most of our summer this year. 'The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we're looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead.' The Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill said: 'The launch of al fresco dining in key areas like Brixton, Shoreditch, Leyton and the West End marks the beginning of an important initiative that supports the recovery and long-term growth of London's nightlife and hospitality sector. 'Creating vibrant, accessible outdoor spaces for food, drink and culture is a powerful way to bring communities together and boost local economies. We see this as a strong foundation — and hope it will grow into a city-wide movement that helps reshape and revitalise London's nightlife for years to come.'
Time Out
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
You can do free yoga in Grand Central Terminal's iconic Vanderbilt Hall this summer
Next time you're barreling through Grand Central Terminal on your commute, you might want to ditch the rush and strike a warrior II instead. On Saturday, June 21, the MTA is transforming Vanderbilt Hall—the historic, marble-clad gateway to Midtown rush hours and Metro-North trains—into a full-on yoga sanctuary. And the best part? It's totally free. In celebration of the International Day of Yoga, Grand Central is hosting a trio of movement sessions open to the public. The day kicks off at 11 a.m. with a kid-friendly fitness and yoga class led by Adriana Zito, a veteran trainer known for bringing her energy-packed workouts to cruise ships, college campuses and Brooklyn block parties. If your little yogis can hold a downward dog longer than you can, now's their moment. Then at noon and again at 1 p.m., Killer Bodies NYC takes over for two energizing adult sessions promising 'energy, empowerment and yoga.' No equipment necessary—just bring yourself, a water bottle and maybe a towel if you're the sweaty type. This wellness moment is part of a broader 'Summer Fun' series announced this week by the MTA. From book readings and stand-up comedy to kids' concerts and painting nights, Grand Central is going full community hub this summer. The event lineup was developed after public feedback from Summer Streets last year and the programming is aimed squarely at making NYC transit feel a little less… stressful. It's also a savvy move to bring more foot traffic through the station, especially with new restaurants opening soon, including Palladino's Steak & Seafood and San Wei's ramen-and-dumpling spot. 'We are very excited to bring a first-of-its-kind series of summer events to Grand Central,' said David Florio, MTA's chief of real estate transactions. 'Grand Central is a perfect space to bring people together.' It turns out Vanderbilt Hall is no longer just where you dart through with a latte; it's your new go-to yoga studio. RSVP is recommended via Grand Central's website, but walk-ins are welcome if space allows. Go ahead—unroll that mat beneath the chandeliers and soak up the serenity. Your train can wait 45 minutes.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
London mayor launches £300k fund to boost al fresco dining
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has announced a £300,000 fund to boost al fresco dining across the Summer Streets Fund allows councils to apply for a share of the money towards the creation of new outdoor eating and drinking areas, enabling businesses to extend their space or opening hours, City Hall will also reduce the cost burden to venues by making processes shorter and more accessible or by reducing or waiving fees, according to the Local Democracy Reporting authorities were last month urged by two of Sir Sadiq's deputy mayors to support al fresco dining and late-night openings, which City Hall hopes cash-strapped councils will now also support. "London is the greatest city in the world and as summer approaches and our city is set to welcome millions of tourists, I'm keen to put al fresco dining and later opening hours back on the menu," said Sir Sadiq."London's world-class range of restaurants, cafes and bars is part of what makes our city special, but too often they have found themselves restricted through bureaucracy and rules constraining their growth."This new £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will help to kickstart al fresco dining and extend opening hours this summer, allowing the industry to thrive."The announcement was welcomed by Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, who called it "a vital and timely move by the mayor that signals loud and clear: London is open for business and ready to thrive this summer".He added: "As the days get longer and temperatures rise, the ability for venues to trade outdoors and extend their hours isn't a luxury, it's essential." Last month, the government announced it will give the mayor new licensing powers, allowing him to "call in" blocked licensing applications in nightlife McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the Summer Streets scheme was "a positive first step to improve London's licensing regime"."We look forward to working with the mayor and London's councils to remove barriers that prevent pubs from doing what they do best – serving up great pints and a warm welcome to Londoners and visitors alike," she added.
