“This is Oxford Street” event: About London’s most iconic street

• ●  Date: Full day – Sunday 21 September 2025.
• ●  Time: 12 PM – 8 PM.
• ●  Entrance: Free for everyone.

The This Is Oxford Street event is a one-day, traffic-free celebration designed to showcase the potential future of London’s most famous shopping street. By closing the road to cars, buses, and taxis, the event offers visitors a first-hand glimpse of what a fully pedestrianised Oxford Street could feel like.

More than just a trial, it’s a curated experience that combines fashion, culture, music, food, and community in the heart of the West End. Think of it as Oxford Street reimagined: cleaner, greener, and focused on people, not vehicles.

Picture Oxford Street without traffic: no buses rumbling, no taxis squeezing past, just music, food stalls, and the buzz of people filling the space. That’s what the This Is Oxford Street event is all about – a chance to enjoy the street as a place to linger, not just to pass through.

Here’s what you can explore during the day:

✸ This is Style: pop-ups, photo opportunities and branded activations that celebrate Oxford Street’s place as the capital of clothing stores and high street fashion.

✸ This is Play: sporting activities and showcases, including international partners like Major League Baseball.

✸ This is Flavour: food stalls, coffee pop-ups and bars offering a taste of the West End’s dining scene.

✸ This is Sound: live performances ranging from headline acts on the main stage to acoustic corners, DJs and surprise sets.

✸ This is Love: a community-led wellness village featuring Holland & Barrett and charity partners such as Choose Love.

✸ This is History: exhibitions and photography celebrating the heritage of Oxford Street as a famous shopping street.

✸ This is Future: interactive displays of what a pedestrian-first Oxford Street could look like.

✸ This is Me: elfie-friendly spots and immersive installations designed to capture the spirit of the day.

At every corner, there’s something new to experience – shopping, eating, playing, listening, or simply pausing to take it all in.

Getting to the “This Is Oxford Street” event is simple, but planning ahead will make your day smoother. The road between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus will be closed to traffic, with bus diversions in place from Saturday night (21:00, 20 September) until early Monday morning (04:00, 22 September).

The easiest way to arrive is by Tube. You’ve got several good options:

✸ Oxford Circus: right in the middle of the action, served by the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines.

✸ Bond Street: a short walk into the event zone, served by the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth line. The Elizabeth line is a great choice if you prefer a calmer journey.

✸ Tottenham Court Road: on the Central, Northern and Elizabeth line, giving you a comfortable route in from the east.

✸ Marble Arch: on the Central line, ideal if you’re approaching via Hyde Park.

Once you’re there, a range of amenities will make the day more accessible and enjoyable:

•    ● Mobiloo toilets on Bird Street, fitted with a hoist and changing table (bring your own sling if using the hoist).
•    ● Public toilets clearly signposted throughout the area.
•    ● BSL interpreters supporting all speeches on the main stage.
•    ● Quiet zones for visitors who want a calmer space.
•    ● Step-free access across the event, suitable for wheelchair users.
•    ● First aid, welfare points and Team London volunteers on hand to help whenever needed.

If you’re cycling or using an e-scooter, remember that riding isn’t permitted in the pedestrianised zone – you’ll need to walk alongside your bike or scooter.

Oxford Street welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every day, but traffic, noise, and poor air quality often overshadow the retail experience. Pedestrianisation aims to flip that – creating a cleaner, calmer street where shopping feels enjoyable rather than rushed.

Families, visitors, and locals alike would benefit from safer crossings, more space to walk, and an environment that encourages people to stay longer in the West End.

Other UK cities show how well this can work:

• ●  Norwich saw higher footfall after its main street went car-free.
• ●  Glasgow’s Buchanan Street has thrived as a pedestrian hub since the 1970s.
• ●  Shrewsbury reported a 25% rise in shop sales during weekend closures.

Challenges remain – bus routes, taxi access, and delivery schedules will need careful planning – but the long-term vision is bold.

A pedestrian-friendly Oxford Street could revitalise the shopping district in central London, boost local businesses, and set an international example for modern high streets.

The This Is Oxford Street event is more than a one-day trial – it’s a stepping stone toward long-term change. The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) are pushing plans to permanently restrict vehicles along key stretches, beginning with Oxford Circus to Marble Arch, and potentially extending toward Tottenham Court Road and Great Portland Street.

Here’s what’s on the horizon:

• ✸ 2026: Work could begin on permanent pedestrianisation if public and business support continues.
• ✸ 2027–28: Larger sections, including the area outside the new IKEA Oxford Street, may become fully car-free.
• ✸ TfL takeover: Control of Oxford Street and 36 side roads has shifted from Westminster Council to TfL, giving the mayor’s office more power to redesign and maintain the street.

Support from retailers such as Selfridges, John Lewis, and IKEA highlights the commercial confidence behind the project. If realised, Oxford Street could evolve into a world-class example of how a historic shopping district in central London adapts to modern needs – greener, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.

Step just north of Oxford Circus and you’re in Fitzrovia Quarter – a neighbourhood directly connected to the Oxford Street experience. It sits between Regent Street and Tottenham Court Road, making it easy to reach on foot once you’ve explored the “This is Oxford Street” event.

Key stops in the area include:

• ✸ IKEA Oxford Street: the brand’s first small-format UK store, designed to showcase smart, space-saving city living solutions.
• ✸ Space NK: a well-known beauty and skincare retailer, perfect if you’re looking to refresh your routine.
• ✸ O2 Shop London: for mobile upgrades, accessories, or tech support in a central spot.
• ✸ OFFICE London: a go-to for footwear, from everyday staples to seasonal collections.
• ✸ Timberland: offering its signature boots and outdoor-inspired clothing.

By weaving a stop in Fitzrovia Quarter into your visit, you’ll see how Oxford Street’s energy connects directly into a neighbourhood that’s just as vibrant but more grounded. It’s a natural extension of your day – one that gives you a full picture of how central London retail is evolving.

Reference list:

  ●  London.gov.uk: https://www.london.gov.uk/events/oxford-street

  ●  London.gov.uk: https://www.london.gov.uk/media-centre/mayors-press-release/mayor-invites-londoners-to-experience-oxford-street-like-youve-never-seen-it-before-as-street-is-transformed-and-made-traffic-free-for-landmark-event

  ●  Oxford Street: https://www.oxfordstreet.co.uk/whats-happening/this-is-oxford-street/