Following a successful summer with the Downtown Pedestrian Mall in St. John’s, the city will be putting off another pedestrian-friendly event during two weekends in December.

The Downtown Holiday Market will close a portion of Water Street—from Adelaide to Prescott—to allow for pedestrians to complete their holiday shopping on December 5 and 6, as well as December 12 and 13.

Councillor Debbie Hanlon says there will be outdoor shopping, music, mummering and beautiful lighting to allow for safe holiday celebrations that adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

Although the Pedestrian Mall was criticized for excluding other streets in the downtown, Hanlon says bringing people to the downtown core will benefit all businesses.

Hanlon says although Water Street will be the only street closed to vehicular traffic, the events taking place on Water Street will also take place on Duckworth Street to encourage the public to shop throughout the whole downtown.

She says this market is a pilot project, much like the Pedestrian Mall this summer, and a new season adds its own challenges. Hanlon says they will be considering what they learned earlier this year as they plan the holiday market.

Road closures will be from 9:00 p.m. Friday night until 6:00 p.m. Sunday on both weekends.