Beginning on Saturday, March 29, the City of Philadelphia will close MLK Drive to motor vehicle traffic between the East Falls Bridge and Sweetbriar Drive on weekends to increase recreational access for the public. Closures will begin this weekend – March 29-30, 2025 – and will be in place each Saturday at 7 a.m. through each Monday at 7 a.m. through November.

The City is hosting the BMW Love Run Half Marathon & 7.6K this weekend, which will use parts of MLK Drive for the half marathon route. The event will conclude at noon. Please see the Office of Special Events announcement for full road closures and parking restrictions related to event.

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

  • Good Friday/Easter (Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20) 
  • Memorial Day (Saturday, May 24 to Monday, May 26)  
  • Juneteenth (Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 22)   
  • Independence Day (Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6)   
  • Labor Day (Saturday, August 30 to Monday, September 1)  
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Saturday, October 11 to Monday, October 13)   
  • Veterans Day (Saturday, November 8 to Tuesday, November 11) 
  • Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, November 30) 

Seasonally since 1995, MLK Drive has been closed to vehicular traffic on weekends creating a safer experience for walkers, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy the warmer months. The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and Department of Streets work together to oversee the program with support from the Philadelphia Police Department and Department of Sanitation. 

MLK Drive is closed to traffic through gates that are monitored by City staff during the day and locked overnight. The Philadelphia Police Department supports this program as Traffic Police District Teams are responsible for closing and reopening the roadway. 

This year’s Head of the Schuylkill Regatta will be held on the weekend of October 25-26. Please note that MLK Drive will not be closed to vehicles on this weekend. The side path on MLK Drive will remain accessible to trail users. 

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

If users notice any issues with gates and closures during the weekend, please contact the City by emailing OTIS@phila.gov.