Celebrate World Car Free Day at Midtown Tampa on September 20, 2025 | Events, Giveaways & Family Fun
Save the date: Saturday, September 20, 2025 for a day filled with fresh air, movement, and family-friendly activities—all designed to show off the perks of a car-free lifestyle. Whether you’re joining a bike safety workshop, shopping local vendors, or enjoying live entertainment, there’s something for everyone.
World Car Free Day
Mark your calendar! Tampa joins over 2,000 cities across 46 countries in celebrating World Car Free Day. Explore the city in a fun, active, and car-free way!
Midtown Tampa transforms into a pedestrian-only community with fun on every level. Cruise on your bike through the city to Midtown, visit with the Lightning Street Team, compete in games, raffles, and giveaways in the Commons, or see all the action from a bike ride around Midtown Lake. Save the date for our carefree, car-free weekend!
What Is World Car Free Day?
Held annually in cities around the globe, World Car Free Day invites people to leave their cars behind and explore their communities in new ways—on foot, by bike, or by transit.
Going car-free—even just for one day—reduces traffic, lowers pollution, and helps us reconnect with the people and places around us. This global movement has inspired everything from group rides and open streets to public art and transportation reform.
And right here in the City of Tampa, Midtown is leading the local charge with a day full of activities that highlight community, movement, and connection.
What to Expect at Midtown Tampa
On Saturday, September 20, Midtown Tampa becomes a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space filled with outdoor fun. Here’s what’s happening:
Interactive Chalk Art
Help bring the street to life with colorful chalk art installations and creative sidewalk designs.
Outdoor Games + Raffles
Stop by the Commons to play games and enter raffles and giveaways throughout the day.
Bike Ride Around Midtown Lake
Cruise the Midtown Lake loop on two wheels—bring your own bike or join a group ride.
Explore local vendors, handmade goods, and fresh finds at the Sunshine Market.
Lightning Street Team
Meet the Tampa Bay Lightning Street Team and snap a photo with your favorite mascot.
Special Appearance by the Mayor
Catch a special appearance by Tampa’s Mayor at 10:30 a.m. in the Commons.
Safety Workshops
Get biking tips and safety demos from REI and other local partners.
Why Car-Free Days Matter
Tampa’s Car Free Day helps raise awareness about the impact of cars on our environment and our communities. Going car-free even once in a while can lead to:
- Cleaner air and lower carbon emissions
- Less noise and stress on busy streets
- Lower transportation costs for individuals and families
- More connection with neighbors, small businesses, and public spaces
Plus, events like this help spark important conversations about walkable communities, bike safety, and smarter city planning through partners like the Transportation Planning Organization and Tampa Downtown Partnership.
How You Can Join In
Whether you’re coming from Hyde Park, East Tampa, Encore, or Seminole Heights, it’s easy to join the celebration car-free:
- Walk or Roll In
Use sidewalks, greenways, or bike paths to get to Midtown on foot. - Join a Group Ride
Plan a route with friends or join a larger group ride heading into Midtown. - Shop the Sunshine Market
Support local vendors and shop for handmade goods and fresh finds. - Share the Fun
Use #MidtownTampa and #WorldCarFreeDay to show how you’re celebrating. - Enter Raffles + Giveaways
Stop by the Commons to enter and win Midtown swag, local products, and more.
Real Talk: Going Car-Free Isn’t Always Easy
We know not everyone can go car-free every day—but this event is a reminder of what’s possible when we shift focus to people-first streets. Events like this give us a preview of what more walkable, active neighborhoods could look like year-round.
That’s why Midtown Tampa, along with partners like REI, Walk Bike Tampa, the Tampa Downtown Partnership, and the Transportation Planning Organization, is excited to lead the way.
Keep the Momentum Going
After Car Free Day, try building small car-light habits into your routine:
- Start a “no-car Friday” with your family
- Visit a parking garage less often—bike or walk instead
- Support REI and other local shops that advocate for active lifestyles
- Follow Westshore Alliance and Walk Bike Tampa for updates on new projects
- Visit Midtown Tampa by foot or public transit
Final Thoughts: A Car-Free Day, A Connected Community
Saturday, September 20, 2025 is your chance to see Tampa from a fresh perspective. Walk, roll, or cruise into Midtown Tampa and celebrate a day of fun, movement, and connection—no car required.
We’ll see you there. Midtown Tampa. Fresh air, great vibes, and a whole lot of community.
