No cars on King William Street for next 2 months to make way for 'energy and creativity'

Samantha Beattie · CBC News

· Posted: Jul 15, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago

Soon, King William Street's "iconic edifice row" successful downtown Hamilton will beryllium unfastened to pedestrians only. 

The City of Hamilton inaugural volition spot it closed to vehicles betwixt James and Hughson Streets beginning connected Wednesday until the extremity of Supercrawl connected Sept. 14. 

"With the vigor and creativity of our residents starring the way, this is simply a arrogant infinitesimal for our city," said Mayor Andrea Horwath successful a quality merchandise past week. "I can't hold to see King William Street travel live arsenic a dynamic nationalist abstraction wherever neighbours connect, section civilization shines, and our tiny businesses thrive."

The thoroughfare volition go the "heart" of the Hamilton Fringe Festival, which runs from July 16 to 27, 2025, the metropolis said. 

It volition besides beryllium a diagnostic of Supercrawl, the arts and euphony festival, taking spot Sept. 12 to 14.

Throughout the summer, seating, pop-up vendors and activities will be acceptable up connected the thoroughfare to make a "welcoming atmosphere" alongside edifice patios, the quality merchandise said.

Pop-up performances volition besides instrumentality place, including by section musicians and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the 73 'Til Infinity creation series.

"This translation is astir much than creating a pedestrian portion — it's astir creating a spot for people," said metropolis manager Marnie Cluckie. "King William Street reflects Hamilton's creativity, culture, section character, and assemblage spirit."