The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has today announced that half a mile of the nation’s most famous high street, Oxford Street, will go traffic-free on Sunday 21st September, for a landmark ‘This is Oxford Street’ event.

‘This is Oxford Street’ will see part of the iconic road free of traffic from 12pm until 8pm for the first event of its kind, giving Londoners and visitors a glimpse of what the street could look like in the future. The event will bring together fashion, food, music, sport, music, heritage and community in one place, showcasing the best of Oxford Street’s past, present and the Mayor’s bold vision for the future.

It comes as the Mayor moves ahead with proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street and supercharge regeneration in the area following the overwhelmingly positive response from Londoners to plans for the transformation of Oxford Street. The GLA’s report on the public consultation, published in June 2025, showed Londoners and businesses back the Mayor’s ideas. Almost seven in 10 expressed support for the Mayor’s proposed interventions to regenerate Oxford Street, while two-thirds were supportive of the pedestrianisation idea specifically. [1]

It includes a public consultation on proposals to pedestrianise the main shopping thoroughfare on Oxford Street which would improve visitor experience and better enable new leisure offers, such as al fresco dining and outdoor events. The Mayor has been clear that Oxford Street is an area of critical national economic importance, with an estimated annual contribution of £25bn to London’s economy – but it has suffered over many years for a variety of reasons, from the pandemic to the growth of online shopping and retail parks. [2]

Now, Mayor 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.

Major businesses in the Oxford Street area and across the capital have also welcomed the plans, which aim to boost retail and drive growth for London and the wider UK economy. Detailed traffic and highway proposals are being developed to pedestrianise the section of road between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus up to Great Portland Street – almost a mile of one of London’s most iconic high streets. These will be consulted on later this year.

The event on Sunday, 21st September will offer something for everyone, including: 

• 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, with City Hall working in close partnership with shops and venues on Oxford Street such as Holland & Barrett who will be curating a wellness zone. Other confirmed partners for the event include charitable non-profit organisation Choose Love, who support refugees and displaced people with everything from search and rescue to food and legal advice. On the day of the event, a number of Oxford Street stores will be offering bespoke offers and deals.

The Mayor of London, Sir 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.”  

(Pic: Mayor of London)