City Announces MLK Drive Seasonal Weekend Closure for Recreation Will Return on March 28

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

City Announces MLK Drive Seasonal Weekend Closure for Recreation Will Return on March 28

PHILADELPHIA - Beginning on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the City will close Martin Luther King Drive to motor vehicle traffic between the East Falls Bridge and the MLK Bridge/Eakins Oval on weekends to increase recreational access for the public.

Closures will begin this weekend - March 28-29, 2026 - and will be in place every Saturday at 7 a.m. through Monday at 7 a.m. until November 29 for runners, cyclists, and walkers to enjoy traffic-free access.

While the closure starts this weekend, parts of MLK Drive are being used on Sunday morning, March 29, for a half-marathon - the Saucony Love Run. The half-marathon will conclude at noon. People will still have access to the drive for recreation, but should be aware that part of the roadway will be blocked for the race participants. Please see the Office of Special Events announcement for full road closures and parking restrictions related to the event.

This season, there will be multiple holiday weekend extended closures on MLK Drive, including:

• Good Friday/Easter (Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 5)
• Memorial Day (Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25)
• Juneteenth (Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21)
• Labor Day (Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7)
• Indigenous Peoples Day (Saturday, October 10 to Monday, October 12)
• Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, November 29)
• Hours for all days listed above are 7 a.m. through 7 a.m.

For planning purposes, this year's Roots Picnic will be held on May 30-31, 2026, and the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta will be held on the weekend of October 24 and 25, 2026. Please note that MLK Drive will not be closed to vehicles on these weekends due to operational access needs. The side path on MLK Drive will remain accessible to trail users.

The season will conclude with the Thanksgiving extended holiday weekend closure.

Since 1995, the City has proudly offered the seasonal and popular outdoor space on MLK Drive in Fairmount Park as one of many quality-of-life improvements in Philadelphia. The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR), and the Department of Streets work together to oversee the program, with support from the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and Department of Sanitation.

MLK Drive is closed to traffic through gates that are monitored by City staff during the day and locked overnight.
If users notice any issues with gates and closures during the weekend, please contact the City by emailing [email protected].

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