Main Street Sundays returns to Johannesburg on Women’s Day, transforming the inner city into a vibrant public space celebrating community, creativity, active mobility and inclusion.
Johannesburg residents are being invited to reclaim the city’s streets when Main Street Sundays returns on 9 August, turning a section of the inner city into a car-free public space designed to encourage walking, cycling, creativity and community connection.
Organised by Jozi My Jozi in partnership with Young Urbanists, the City of Johannesburg, Proudly South African and Gautrain, the free event follows the successful inaugural edition in April, which attracted more than 5,000 visitors to the city centre.
The event also builds on the momentum created by the recent 702 Jozi My Jozi Walk the Talk, where approximately 25,000 people explored Johannesburg on foot, highlighting growing public interest in reimagining the city’s public spaces.
Visitors will be able to enjoy Main Street between 44 Main and Gandhi Square without vehicle traffic, creating a safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists, roller-skaters, skateboarders, families with prams and wheelchair users.
“We invite everyone to come out and experience the inner city as a car-free zone for the day,” said Dawn Robertson, Visitor and Creative Economy Catalyst at Jozi My Jozi.
“It’s not a commercial event. It’s a charge-free day and there is no need to rush to get to a stage or a performance. It’s essentially about human connection. Main Street Sundays is a chance to meet Jozi at a chilled, walking pace.”
The programme includes live acoustic music, pop-up markets, a walkable art mile, children’s activities, wellness experiences, interactive games, creative makers’ markets, a Vintage & Vinyl market and a variety of food vendors and restaurants celebrating Johannesburg’s diverse culture.
Families can also enjoy Play Africa’s interactive children’s museum activities, while art lovers will have access to exhibitions at the Standard Bank Gallery and rooftop installations hosted by Asisebenze Gallery.
Dedicated wellness spaces will offer yoga sessions, urban sketching and quiet reading areas, creating opportunities for visitors to experience the city in a slower, more relaxed environment.
Organisers say the initiative is designed to demonstrate how public spaces can strengthen social cohesion while supporting local businesses, artists, entrepreneurs and creative industries operating in Johannesburg’s inner city.
“If we want Jozi to work, we must start with its streets. Because once you change the street, you change the city. And once you change the city, you change the country,” said Roland Postma, Managing Director of Young Urbanists.
This year’s event also celebrates National Women’s Day, encouraging families to honour mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and other influential women while enjoying one of Johannesburg’s largest open-street experiences.
Attendance is free, with visitors encouraged to register in advance. Safe parking, Gautrain shuttle services and City Sightseeing bus access will be available to make the event easily accessible throughout the day.
