Redwood City turns Broadway Pedestrian Mall into summer test for downtown activity

Redwood City, California – Broadway will take on a new rhythm this summer as Redwood City opens the Peninsula’s first Entertainment Zone, a pilot program designed to bring more life, movement, and shared experiences to the heart of downtown.

The new zone will be centered on the Broadway Pedestrian Mall, where the city plans to host three early activations filled with live music, games, and downtown activities. The first events are scheduled for Thursday, June 11, from 3 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, June 20, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.; and Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

City officials say the idea is simple: give people another reason to come downtown, walk Broadway, visit local businesses, and enjoy public space in a fresh way. The July 18 activation will also connect with a larger community gathering, serving as a pre-event for the Soccer on the Square third-place match watch party at Courthouse Square.

“Downtown Redwood City is already one of the Peninsula’s most vibrant public spaces, and the Entertainment Zone gives us another way to support local businesses, bring people together, and create a welcoming experience on Broadway,” said Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos.

“This pilot builds on that energy and gives residents and visitors another reason to come downtown, stay longer, and enjoy everything Broadway has to offer.”

The launch follows action by the Redwood City Council, which adopted an ordinance on May 11, 2026, creating one Entertainment Zone in the city. The designated area includes the 2000 block of Broadway between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street, along with Redwood Creek from Broadway to the Main Street Parking Lot.

Under the program, adults 21 and older will be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages in certain public spaces, including streets, sidewalks, and plazas, but only when the Entertainment Zone is officially active. The rules are meant to keep the experience controlled and tied closely to city-approved events.

Alcohol must be purchased from participating businesses and served in designated cups. Outside alcohol cannot be brought into the Entertainment Zone, and drinks cannot be taken out of it. Only businesses with doors that open directly onto the zone may sell alcohol for consumption within the area.

The Entertainment Zone will not operate every day on its own. It can only be activated during a City Special Event. Businesses and residents will receive at least 72 hours of notice before each activation. Events may be held any day of the week between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., as long as at least one eligible business in the zone participates.

For Redwood City, the pilot is part of a broader effort to strengthen downtown activity and support the businesses that help shape the area’s character. By pairing music, games, food, drinks, and community gatherings, the city hopes to turn Broadway into more than a walkway. For a few hours at a time, it becomes a shared outdoor room.

The summer activations will also serve as a test. City leaders will be able to see how the zone works in real time, how visitors respond, and how local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic. The approach gives Redwood City a chance to try something new while keeping the program limited, organized, and connected to specific public events.

More information about the Entertainment Zone is available at www.RedwoodCity.org/EntertainmentZone.