Each Friday throughout the summer, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall hosts various pop-up events from 2 to 4 p.m. in front of the Scotiabank building featuring local entertainers.

Every Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., starting July 9, Water Street comes alive with Markets on Water — a weekly celebration of local creativity, culture, and community.

Spanning from Ayres Cove to Prescott Street, the market will feature vendors hosted by The Mom Market. Each week, you’ll discover a rotating lineup of carefully curated small businesses — from handcrafted goods and artisan products to one-of-a-kind art, fashion, jewelry, home décor, sweet treats, and so much more.

Don’t miss our two special Saturday markets on August 8 and 22!

The City of St. John’s is providing free space on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for organizations to get creative and engage with the community. We would love to hear your ideas. If interested, please fill out the application form and share with us how you would like to enhance the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Ensure you review the important considerations and requirements within the form before submitting. Questions can be referred to specialevents@stjohns.ca.

Two portable, accessible toilets and a handwashing station are available on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall in the area of Water Street and McBride's Hill during hours of operation (noon to 10 p.m. daily). 

The City of St. John’s will regularly maintain the facilities and appreciates the public's cooperation in keeping these facilities clean and accessible for all.

Accessible Parking, Metrobus and GoBus

• Approximately 23 accessible on street parking spaces and 36 accessible parking spaces within private parking garages are available near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall for accessible parking permit holders.
• Metrobus customers can use Route 3 on an Accessible Low Floor Bus which stops at Ayres Cove/Harbour Drive near the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Route schedules can be accessed through Metrobus.
• GoBus customers can book their ride to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall through GoBus.
• Accessible Parking and Bus Stop locations can be found on the Downtown Pedestrian Mall Parking and Transportation Map. 

Barrier Free Routes

• Where the built environment permits, 2 meter barrier free routes are available through the centre of the pedestrian zone and along the sidewalks.

Accessible Rest Areas

• A variety of rest areas including, accessible picnic tables, benches, Adirondack chairs and high-top tables are available throughout the DPM.

Wayfinding and Navigation

The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is BlindSquare enabled. BlindSquare accessible wayfinding and navigation apps are free to download in Apple and Android app stores and help pedestrians to safely navigate the mall. Apple users can download BlindSq Event. Android users can download XploreNinja by BlindSquare

Planning your visit

Accessibility features of businesses within the Downtown Pedestrian Mall vary and are regulated by provincial legislation. Pedestrians are encouraged to contact businesses of interest for more information when planning a visit.

Accessibility feedback

Visitors are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to further advance inclusion and accessibility of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall by contacting 311, Access St. John’s or emailing inclusion@stjohns.ca.