The Charles Street Promenade is a one-day road closure of Baltimore’s historic Charles Street between its northern 300 and 1300 blocks. The duration of the closure varies with each event, and will be updated on the FAQ accordingly. The road will be safely closed so that people are free to walk, cycle, scoot, etc., safely in the roadway for the duration of the event.

Several community groups and residents initially requested the closure back in 2020 to encourage socially distanced pedestrian activity and foster support for the businesses and restaurants along Historic Charles Street during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The event has since become popular among area residents and businesses as a means to get out an explore the neighborhood.

Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with customers walking right past your doors! Businesses are encouraged to think of sales & promotions, host entertainment, and even extend for outdoor dining. Whatever you want to do, we need to know about it! Please contact Downtown Partnership of Baltimore by 5/17/24 to be included in our marketing!

Outside of the road closure itself, no special permits are being issued for this one-day closure.

Restaurants along Charles Street already permitted for outdoor dining, will operate as normal and are not allowed to serve alcohol outside their already permitted area. Those not permitted can apply for a one-day temporary license.

Retail and other businesses open to the public along Charles should follow their normal operating procedures.

If you wish to vend in the street, please contact us to make sure that no special approvals are required. (promotions@dpob.org and/or info@dpob.org)

Yes, they are allowed. As are skateboards, roller skates, etc. Riders should operate them safely and yield to pedestrians. Outside of electric scooters and bicycles, no motorized vehicles will be permitted within the road closure.

On-street parking will not be allowed during the Promenade. Businesses and residents in the area will be notified in advance of parking alternations by the different neighborhood groups involved. As well as through direct contact with property managers, emails to the Downtown Safety Network, residential outreach emails from Downtown Partnership, social and traditional media, road closure alerts, parking meter covers, and street pole signs.

There are many off-street garages available in the area. Their locations are noted on the Parking & Maps page of this site.

Northbound Buses will be routed to Park Avenue and bus stop signage along both Park and Charles streets will alert riders. The Promenade will not affect southbound traffic.

Yes, absolutely. The street closure barricades are all manned and can be moved to allow public safety vehicle access.

Email Downtown Partnership of Baltimore via email at info@dpob.org.