Inner City Initiative Returns on 21 June Following Record April Turnout
By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: Join thousands of city lovers as Main Street Sundays transforms the heart of Marshalltown into a vibrant, car-free playground filled with art, music, food, wellness, cycling, skating and family fun. From Gandhi Square to Main Street, experience Jozi at its best — open, creative, connected and full of life. Photo Credit: Supplied
Johannesburg’s inner city is set to come alive once again as the highly anticipated Main Street Sundays returns on Sunday, 21 June 2026, transforming Main Street in Marshalltown into a vibrant, car-free public space designed for walking, cycling, play and community connection.
Following the success of the inaugural event in April—which drew more than 5,000 visitors—the initiative is once again being led by Jozi My Jozi, Young Urbanists, the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Tourism, with a renewed focus on reclaiming urban space for people.
A City Street Reimagined
At the heart of the initiative is a bold idea: that Johannesburg’s streets can become safe, inclusive and joyful spaces for all residents.
Visitors can expect a fully pedestrianised Main Street stretching from 44 Main Street to Gandhi Square, where pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, families with prams, wheelchair users and children will all have priority.
“We invite everyone to come out and experience the inner city as a car-free zone for a day,” said Dawn Robertson, Visitor and Creative Economy Catalyst at Jozi My Jozi.
“It’s not a commercial event. It’s about human connection. Main Street Sundays is a chance to meet Jozi at a chilled, walking pace.”
A Growing Movement to Reclaim the CBD
The first edition of Main Street Sundays saw spontaneous street culture take over the city centre, with ping pong games, skateboarding ramps, live music and pop-up art installations transforming the urban landscape.
Journalist Gus Silber described the experience as a rare moment of urban freedom, where “the chorus of hooting and tooting was replaced by saxophones and trumpets,” and pedestrians moved at their own pace through a reimagined city.
Organisers say the initiative is designed not only as a cultural activation but also as a deliberate intervention to address safety perceptions in Johannesburg’s CBD by increasing visibility, security and foot traffic through coordinated support from marshals, volunteers and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).
Zones of Experience Across Main Street
This weekend’s edition will feature a series of themed zones designed to offer diverse experiences along the street:
- Wellness Zone (44 Main Street): Yoga sessions, silent book clubs and urban sketching under tree-lined surroundings
- Information Zone: Community guides and event support services
- Active Mobility Zone: Cycling, skating, prams, scooters and pedestrian movement
- Kids’ Zone: Interactive play areas, street games and creative graffiti walls by Play Africa
- Art Mile: Street galleries, rooftop exhibitions and live creative installations, including the Homecoming Exhibition at Standard Bank Gallery and activations at Aegis Building
- Makers’ Market: Local designers and artisans showcasing handmade goods
- Vintage & Vinyl Market (Gandhi Square): Live music, food stalls and curated retail experiences
A dedicated food court at Gandhi Square and live outside broadcasts by Talk Radio 702 and VOW88.1 FM will further animate the corridor.
“A Street That Belongs to People”
According to Roland Postma, Managing Director of Young Urbanists, the initiative is about reshaping urban identity through public space.
“If we want Jozi to work, we must start with its streets. Because once you change the street, you change the city.”
He added that Main Street Sundays is designed to demonstrate how cities can be more inclusive, walkable and economically vibrant when prioritising people over vehicles.
Transport, Access and Family Experience
Organisers have encouraged the use of public transport and shared mobility options, including Gautrain access via Park Station and a free shuttle service to Main Street.
Visitors can also park at nearby facilities such as Standard Bank parking garages or make use of the City Sightseeing Red Bus route from Rosebank, which offers a family-friendly hop-on, hop-off experience linked to the event.
Registration for attendance is free, with organisers requesting pre-registration to manage attendance numbers.
“Restoring the Soul of Johannesburg”
For organisers, Main Street Sundays represents more than an urban event—it is a cultural statement about reclaiming public space.
“Main Street Sundays is about restoring Johannesburg’s soul,” said Robertson.
“When we close the streets to cars and open them to community, we remind people that this city is theirs. It always has been.”
She added that the event is designed to bring together people from across the city’s social and economic spectrum.
“This is a Sunday for everyone. Parents, children, grandparents, visitors—everyone belongs on this street.”
A Growing Urban Movement
As Johannesburg continues to grapple with questions of safety, mobility and urban renewal, Main Street Sundays is emerging as a flagship example of how temporary pedestrianisation can reshape perceptions of the inner city.
By combining art, culture, mobility and community engagement, the initiative is positioning itself as part of a broader movement to reimagine African cities as people-centred spaces.
Main Street Sundays returns on 21 June 2026, promising another transformative day in the heart of Johannesburg’s CBD.
For more information and registration: https://www.jozimyjozi.com/events/main-street-sundays
