Trial to pedestrianise Oxford Street announced
A special event's taking place in September
Last updated 29th Aug 2025
Oxford street is set to go traffic free for one day next month to see what plans to pedestrianise it could look like in reality.
It'll be closed to traffic from Orchard Street to Oxford Circus from 12pm to 8pm on Sunday 21st September, as Transport for London develops proposals for consultation on it being permanently pedestrianised, following a public consultation held earlier this year
It showed around 7 in 10 people back the plans to regenerate Oxford Street, with two-thirds specifically supporting the idea of banning traffic.
London Mayor, Sadiq Khan says the ‘This is Oxford Street’ will bring together fashion, food, music, sport, music, heritage and community in one place, showcasing the best of Oxford Street’s past, present and his vision for the future.
Mr Khan is progressing with steps to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) dedicated to regenerating the area and ultimately making Oxford Street a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events. Following support from the London Assembly in July 2025, the Mayor is working with Government to make the necessary legislation for the MDC to be established by 1 January 2026.
Detailed traffic and highway proposals are being developed to pedestrianise almost a mile-long section of the road between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus up to Great Portland Street. These will be consulted on later this year.
The event on Sunday, 21st September will include:
This is Style – a celebration of Oxford Street’s global fashion and retail identity, with branded activations, pop-ups, and unique photo opportunities.
This is Play – celebrating London as a global sporting capital with activities and showcases from international partners like Major League Baseball.
This is Flavour – food and drink stalls, coffee pop-ups and bars, offering a taste of the West End’s dining scene.
This is Sound – live music and performances, from headline acts on the main stage to acoustic corners, DJs, and secret sets.
This is Love – charity and community-led zone including a showcase led by Choose Love and featuring a wellness village hosted by Holland and Barrett.
This is History – honouring Oxford Street’s rich heritage through photography and storytelling.
This is Future – giving Londoners a glimpse of the Mayor’s plans to transform Oxford Street into a greener, cleaner, pedestrian-friendly destination.
This is Me – interactive selfie spots and experiences to capture the excitement of the day.
Further details about the event and partners will be announced in the coming weeks, and on the day of the event, a number of Oxford Street stores will be offering bespoke offers and deals.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m excited to announce our landmark ‘This is Oxford Street’ event which will take place in September and offer Londoners, visitors, and businesses a glimpse of what the nation’s high street could look like in the future.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to see Oxford Street in a whole new light, traffic-free, full of music, great food, pop-ups and entertainment for everyone. As Mayor, I’m determined to unlock Oxford Street’s true potential and deliver a world-class, accessible, clean, avenue.
“So add the date to your diary, it’s going to be a fantastic day out as we reimagine the West End for everyone. This Is Oxford Street – vibrant, thriving and back on the map.”
Karim Fatehi OBE, Chief Executive at London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The plans to revitalise Oxford Street are a bold and exciting step towards re-energising London’s West End, improving the area, increasing footfall for local businesses, and boosting the city’s international reputation. We welcome the commitment to work with local businesses and residents to address logistical challenges and ensure the economic benefits are shared by everyone.”
Some bus routes in the area will be operating differently from around 21:00 on Saturday 20th September and until around 04:00 on Monday 22nd September. People travelling to the event are advised to check before they travel.