Granville Street stays car-free through Labour Day with $4.75M in city funding
Vancouver City Council approved extending the pedestrian zone from July 19 to September 7 and is exploring a possible Christmas market reactivation in November.
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The five-block pedestrian zone on Granville Street will remain in place until at least Monday, September 7, the end of the Labour Day long weekend, after Vancouver City Council approved the extension Thursday.
The zone, originally scheduled to close on Sunday, July 19 coinciding with the FIFA World Cup championship final, has been widely seen as highly successful. Large and dense crowds, lively atmosphere, and strong foot traffic have supported businesses along the strip. The area has continued to see steady pedestrian activity during quieter periods, including days without matches.
To support the extension, City Council approved up to $4.75 million in additional municipal spending, including $1.25 million for Downtown Van, the business improvement association that spearheaded the initiative, to continue delivering activations and programming.
The decision was made during a special public meeting called by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim to consider his member motion on the extension, which was also moved by ABC city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung. City Council also approved extending FIFA World Cup-related temporary patios and public realm expansions across Vancouver through September 7.
Looking ahead, City Council directed City staff to explore whether the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone could be seasonally reactivated in November 2026 to support a possible Christmas market. The motion was opposed by Green city councillor Pete Fry and Vote Vancouver city councillor Rebecca Bligh.
