Downtown Pedestrian Mall

The City of St. John’s Downtown Pedestrian Mall is open in 2025 from June 26 to September 1 from noon to 10 p.m. daily.

This popular location is bustling with excitement as restaurants and bars create outdoor patios and other businesses expand into the street. Water Street from Adelaide Street to Prescott Street will be closed to vehicles, with pedestrian traffic ramping up to take in the festivities and enjoy the energy and people-friendly vibe. During this time, delivery drivers and other business related traffic can access the street from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The DPM was introduced in 2020 as a way to bring foot traffic into the city's downtown and to give businesses some added attention during the pandemic. It was such a hit, that it’s been an annual event ever since.

Entertainment is also on offer with a variety of free performances and events taking place throughout the summer.

Click through the below sections by pressing the plus tab to learn more about events and other information to help you plan your visit.

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Markets on Water
Every Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., starting July 10, Water Street comes alive with Markets on Water — a weekly celebration of local creativity, culture, and community. Spanning from Ayres Cove to Prescott Street, the market will feature vendors hosted by The Mom Market. Each week, you’ll discover a rotating lineup of carefully curated small businesses — from handcrafted goods and artisan products to one-of-a-kind art, fashion, jewelry, home décor, sweet treats, and so much more. Don’t miss our two special Sunday markets on July 27 and August 17, also from 2 to 8 p.m.
Community Event Space
The City of St. John’s is providing free space on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for organizations to get creative and engage with the community. We would love to hear your ideas. If interested, please fill out the application form and share with us how you would like to enhance the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Ensure you review the important considerations and requirements within the form before submitting. Questions can be referred to [email protected].
Pop-Up Events
Each Friday throughout the summer, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall hosts various pop-up events from 2 to 4 p.m. in front of the Scotiabank building featuring local entertainers: Friday, June 27 - ProMotion Bachata Dance: ProMotion Bachata Dance is a vibrant social dance school where people of all ages come together to move, connect, and express themselves through the soulful, rhythmic art of Bachata, rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the Dominican Republic. Friday, July 4 - Trinity Sound: Trinity Sound is a youth music group that focuses on arranging songs anywhere from traditional folk tunes to the latest top 40 hits with the use of traditional instruments such as violin, mandolin, bodhran, and guitar. Friday, July 11 - Salt Beef Junkies: The Salt Beef Junkies are a high-energy trio of young musicians keeping traditional Newfoundland music alive. Blending accordion, guitar, mandolin, and bodhran, they deliver toe-tapping performances that charm both locals and visitors. Since 2019, they've played festivals and venues across eastern and central Canada, released their debut album Somewhere in Between, and earned national award nominations — all while giving back to their community through volunteer performances. Friday, July 18 - Drag on Water: In collaboration with St. John's Pride, Drag on Water brings drag performers to the spotlight for an unforgettable afternoon of performances in the heart of St. John’s. Come celebrate pride, creativity, and self-expression! ASL interpretation will be available. Friday, July 25 - Vuelo Directo: Vuelo Directo is a St. John’s–based pop-rock band bringing the energy of Spanish-language music to local stages. With a vibrant mix of folk, rumba, flamenco fusion, and pop-rock, their upbeat sets feature iconic hits from Spain and Latin America — from Joaquín Sabina to Manu Chao. Their lively performances are crafted to engage and entertain audiences of all ages. Friday, August 1: No performance due to the Downtown St. John's Busker Festival Friday, August 8 - Cirque'letics: Cirque’letics is a community-based educational facility where all individuals, regardless of age, skill or ability, can safely learn and develop circus and acrobatic-based skills as a means of personal growth and enrichment. They strive to contribute to the artistic community of Newfoundland and Labrador through the learning and creation of circus-based educational programs and performances. Friday, August 15 - De La Paz Quintet: This quintet aims to share with the public the joy and flavour of Latin culture through its music. It is comprised of Mario Miranda, Liam Kovich, Julien Bouchard, Estefania Arreguín and Beto de La Paz. Friday, August 22 - East Coast Rhythm Project: East Coast Rhythm Project is a collective of teachers, choreographers, and performers dedicated to the percussive art of tap dance. Based in St. John's, NL, they offer workshops and perform city wide with the hope of spreading love and knowledge of all things tap. Friday, August 29 - Port-Aux-Poutines: a two-time MusicNL Award winning French-Canadian duo based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, formed by Jenna Maloney and Axel Belgarde. Since 2022, Port-Aux-Poutines fuses French-Canadian and Newfoundland musical traditions. Through original songs, folk songs, as well as translations of Newfoundland songs, the band celebrates the diversity of French-Canadian culture, tells stories and legends of the province, and celebrates the heritage of Francophonie in Newfoundland.
Accessibility
Accessible parking, Metrobus and GoBus Approximately 23 accessible on street parking spaces and 36 accessible parking spaces within private parking garages are available near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for accessible parking permit holders. Metrobus customers can use Route 3 on an Accessible Low Floor Bus which stops at Ayres Cove/Harbour Drive near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Route schedules can be accessed through Metrobus. GoBus customers can book their ride to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall through GoBus . Accessible Parking and Bus Stop locations can be found on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall Parking and Transportation Map. Barrier free routes Where the built environment permits, 2 meter barrier free routes are available through the centre of the pedestrian zone and along the sidewalks. Accessible rest areas A variety of rest areas including, accessible picnic tables, benches, Adirondack chairs and high-top tables are available throughout the DPM. Wayfinding and navigation The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is BlindSquare enabled. BlindSquare accessible wayfinding and navigation apps are free to download in Apple and Android app stores and help pedestrians to safely navigate the mall. Apple users can download BlindSq Event. Android users can download XploreNinja by BlindSquare Planning your visit Accessibility features of businesses within the Downtown Pedestrian Mall vary and are regulated by provincial legislation. Pedestrians are encouraged to contact businesses of interest for more information when planning a visit. Accessibility feedback Visitors are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to further advance inclusion and accessibility of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall by contacting 311, Access St. John’s or emailing [email protected]. Bathrooms Two portable accessible toilets and a handwashing station are available during the Downtown Pedestrian Malls hours of operation (noon to 10 p.m. daily.) on the corner of Harbour Drive and Ayre’s Cove. Portable toilets will remain in place until the closure of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall on Monday, September 1. The City of St. John’s will regularly maintain the facilities and appreciates the public's cooperation in keeping these facilities clean and accessible for all.

Markets on Water

Every Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., starting July 10, Water Street comes alive with Markets on Water — a weekly celebration of local creativity, culture, and community.

Spanning from Ayres Cove to Prescott Street, the market will feature vendors hosted by The Mom Market. Each week, you’ll discover a rotating lineup of carefully curated small businesses — from handcrafted goods and artisan products to one-of-a-kind art, fashion, jewelry, home décor, sweet treats, and so much more.

Don’t miss our two special Sunday markets on July 27 and August 17, also from 2 to 8 p.m.

Community Event Space

The City of St. John’s is providing free space on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for organizations to get creative and engage with the community. We would love to hear your ideas. If interested, please fill out the application form and share with us how you would like to enhance the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Ensure you review the important considerations and requirements within the form before submitting. Questions can be referred to [email protected].

Pop-Up Events

Each Friday throughout the summer, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall hosts various pop-up events from 2 to 4 p.m. in front of the Scotiabank building featuring local entertainers:

Friday, June 27 - ProMotion Bachata Dance: ProMotion Bachata Dance is a vibrant social dance school where people of all ages come together to move, connect, and express themselves through the soulful, rhythmic art of Bachata, rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the Dominican Republic.
Friday, July 4 - Trinity Sound: Trinity Sound is a youth music group that focuses on arranging songs anywhere from traditional folk tunes to the latest top 40 hits with the use of traditional instruments such as violin, mandolin, bodhran, and guitar.
Friday, July 11 - Salt Beef Junkies: The Salt Beef Junkies are a high-energy trio of young musicians keeping traditional Newfoundland music alive. Blending accordion, guitar, mandolin, and bodhran, they deliver toe-tapping performances that charm both locals and visitors. Since 2019, they've played festivals and venues across eastern and central Canada, released their debut album Somewhere in Between, and earned national award nominations — all while giving back to their community through volunteer performances.
Friday, July 18 - Drag on Water: In collaboration with St. John's Pride, Drag on Water brings drag performers to the spotlight for an unforgettable afternoon of performances in the heart of St. John’s. Come celebrate pride, creativity, and self-expression! ASL interpretation will be available.
Friday, July 25 - Vuelo Directo: Vuelo Directo is a St. John’s–based pop-rock band bringing the energy of Spanish-language music to local stages. With a vibrant mix of folk, rumba, flamenco fusion, and pop-rock, their upbeat sets feature iconic hits from Spain and Latin America — from Joaquín Sabina to Manu Chao. Their lively performances are crafted to engage and entertain audiences of all ages.
Friday, August 1: No performance due to the Downtown St. John's Busker Festival
Friday, August 8 - Cirque'letics: Cirque’letics is a community-based educational facility where all individuals, regardless of age, skill or ability, can safely learn and develop circus and acrobatic-based skills as a means of personal growth and enrichment. They strive to contribute to the artistic community of Newfoundland and Labrador through the learning and creation of circus-based educational programs and performances.
Friday, August 15 - De La Paz Quintet: This quintet aims to share with the public the joy and flavour of Latin culture through its music. It is comprised of Mario Miranda, Liam Kovich, Julien Bouchard, Estefania Arreguín and Beto de La Paz.
Friday, August 22 - East Coast Rhythm Project: East Coast Rhythm Project is a collective of teachers, choreographers, and performers dedicated to the percussive art of tap dance. Based in St. John's, NL, they offer workshops and perform city wide with the hope of spreading love and knowledge of all things tap.
Friday, August 29 - Port-Aux-Poutines: a two-time MusicNL Award winning French-Canadian duo based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, formed by Jenna Maloney and Axel Belgarde. Since 2022, Port-Aux-Poutines fuses French-Canadian and Newfoundland musical traditions. Through original songs, folk songs, as well as translations of Newfoundland songs, the band celebrates the diversity of French-Canadian culture, tells stories and legends of the province, and celebrates the heritage of Francophonie in Newfoundland.

Accessibility

Accessible parking, Metrobus and GoBus

Approximately 23 accessible on street parking spaces and 36 accessible parking spaces within private parking garages are available near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for accessible parking permit holders.
Metrobus customers can use Route 3 on an Accessible Low Floor Bus which stops at Ayres Cove/Harbour Drive near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Route schedules can be accessed through Metrobus.
GoBus customers can book their ride to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall through GoBus .
Accessible Parking and Bus Stop locations can be found on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall Parking and Transportation Map.

Barrier free routes

Where the built environment permits, 2 meter barrier free routes are available through the centre of the pedestrian zone and along the sidewalks.

Accessible rest areas

A variety of rest areas including, accessible picnic tables, benches, Adirondack chairs and high-top tables are available throughout the DPM.

Wayfinding and navigation

The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is BlindSquare enabled. BlindSquare accessible wayfinding and navigation apps are free to download in Apple and Android app stores and help pedestrians to safely navigate the mall. Apple users can download BlindSq Event. Android users can download XploreNinja by BlindSquare

Planning your visit

Accessibility features of businesses within the Downtown Pedestrian Mall vary and are regulated by provincial legislation. Pedestrians are encouraged to contact businesses of interest for more information when planning a visit.

Accessibility feedback

Visitors are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to further advance inclusion and accessibility of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall by contacting 311, Access St. John’s or emailing [email protected].

Bathrooms

Two portable accessible toilets and a handwashing station are available during the Downtown Pedestrian Malls hours of operation (noon to 10 p.m. daily.) on the corner of Harbour Drive and Ayre’s Cove. Portable toilets will remain in place until the closure of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall on Monday, September 1.

The City of St. John’s will regularly maintain the facilities and appreciates the public's cooperation in keeping these facilities clean and accessible for all.