Philadelphia 'Open Streets': Car-free strolls return for holiday season

PHILADELPHIA - Santa Claus was far from the North Pole on Sunday, instead he was roaming the streets of Philly.

"Merry Christmas Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly Love," one of my favorite cities to visit every year. Go birds!" says Santa Claus.

Before the Birds took the field, many were enjoying the sights and sounds of the open streets around Rittenhouse and Center City.

"I feel like it’s really good for Philadelphia, it’s good for Center City, especially the retail, kids come out, parents enjoy themselves, it’s perfect," says Adrian Sam of Logan Square.

The concept of closing the streets to foot traffic is only making a second appearance for the holiday season after a successful stint back in September.

"It’s just a really cool way to see a city road that you get to see in another way, in a slower, more calm scenic way," says Delta Ghoshal of Fairmount.

Which is exactly what Jessica Tashman and her friends were doing, sitting right in the middle of Walnut Street.

"I think it’s really nice. I didn’t know it was happening today and I walked outside and saw this beautiful table here where we can eat our bagel for breakfast," says  Tashman.

The open streets concept brings a smile to the faces of many businesses in the area who use it to offer additional holiday deals.

Michael Zabrodski the VP of Operations at Philadelphia Runner says, "It’s wonderful for the businesses in the community around here. It’s really nice to have Walnut Street which is usually very busy with road traffic and foot traffic alike, this time of year just to shut it down and allow shoppers and people out enjoying the holiday season, to be able to come in and do a little bit more than just their regular shopping, enjoy the community and enjoy the streets."

‘Open Streets’ will be back again next Sunday, December 15.