— Photos by Monica Calvo

The latest installment of Somerville’s SomerStreets festival series took place on Sunday, August 4, with an afternoon packed with excitement and music. The festivities took place on Highland Avenue from Central Street to Lowell Street. Attendees enjoyed live music and entertainment at two stages, interactive games, shop local craft vendors, and much more.

SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s take on the internationally-renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles, and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity. Through SomerStreets, the City and its community partners aim to promote and encourage easy access to physical activity, and reconnecting with neighborhoods and businesses and their unique cultural elements in a thriving urban environment.

SomerStreets builds on the Shape Up Somerville healthy living initiative. Similar open streets events take place all around the world, providing space normally taken up by automobile traffic for people to be more active.

SomerStreets is an annual series that takes places on Sundays during the summer and fall.  Next event will be SomerStreets: Gilman Arts and Music Festival, on September 14, 2024, 12 p.m.- 6 p.m., 238 Pearl, Somerville.