Quincy Square Goes Car-Free on Weekends: A Step Toward a Walkable Downtown Bremerton

Starting August 8, 2025, every weekend brings a new rhythm to downtown Bremerton; one that doesn’t include cars. Thanks to a new pilot program approved by the City of Bremerton, Quincy Square is fully pedestrian-only from Fridays at 3:00pm through Mondays at 8:00am, through the end of December. This isn’t just about street closures. It’s about opening up a whole new way for the community to connect with each other, with the arts, and with the urban lifestyle. Welcome to the new Quincy Square.

New signs installed in Quincy Square for no-parking during the weekends. Photo by Emily Ferrer courtesy Downtown Bremerton Association

A Response to a Community’s Call

The decision didn’t come from a top-down initiative; it came from the community. The grand opening of Quincy Square in July revealed what people have been wanting in Bremerton for a long time and locals and visitors flooded social media with one shared sentiment: “We want more of this!” A people-friendly, community-driven space.

Jessica Combs, Executive Director of the Downtown Bremerton Association, heard the message loud and clear. “Quincy Square was always envisioned as a dynamic public space for people,” she said. “By going car-free on weekends, we’re allowing families, artists, musicians, and small businesses to thrive in a safer, more engaging environment.”

Photo by Andrew Jones courtesy Downtown Bremerton Association

Mayor Greg Wheeler called the weekend closures “an important next step” in fully realizing Quincy Square’s potential. For years, residents have called for a more walkable, art-forward downtown. Now, the city, Downtown Bremerton Association, Public Works, and emergency services have come together to make that vision a reality.

This pedestrian-first experience makes space for buskers and pop-up markets, for spontaneous dance performances and late-night poetry readings. It’s about letting a city’s creative energy spill freely into the streets without worrying about oncoming traffic. Even on quieter weekends, the square will remain lively and safe for strolling, relaxing, or simply soaking in the beauty of Bremerton’s most creative corridor. And if the pilot program proves to be a success, the “no parking during weekends” signs may very well become permanent!

Collaboration with Community, for Community

Photo by Andrew Jones courtesy Downtown Bremerton Association

The Downtown Bremerton Association is partnered with the City of Bremerton to manage this new space and ensure that it’s filled with community programming all year long. Whether that be open-air markets, community events, cultural showcases, intimate concerts, or the Soccer Fan Zones coming in 2026. But we can’t do it alone, so if you have a creative idea to bring Quincy Square to life, let us know by joining our Programming Directory today!

We’re looking for:

🎨 Pop-up markets, fitness and dance instructors, cultural performances

🎶 Live music performances, buskers, DJs, slam poetry readers

🍽️ Food carts, local vendor booths, passive programming

As the DBA is curating the calendar we'll use this directory to connect with potential partners; whether for inclusion on signature events or for smaller-scale happenings that keep Quincy Square active and engaging throughout the year.

More ways to use Quincy Square: Learn more about how to host your event in Quincy Square here.

A Tribute to Quincy, A Gift to the Future

Photo by Andrew Jones courtesy DBA

It’s no accident that this space bears the name Quincy Square. Honoring the legendary Quincy Jones, whose global influence began right here in Bremerton, the square is a living tribute to artistic innovation, cultural pride, and community spirit.

With public art, musical elements, and the permanent bandstand, Quincy Square invites everyone to share in a legacy of creativity. And with this new pedestrian-first program, that invitation just got a whole lot more open.

See You in the Square!

Downtown Bremerton is evolving into something more human, more expressive, and more inclusive. So this weekend, ditch the car. Bring your curiosity. Walk, dance, or roll your way into Quincy Square. Whether you're a lifelong Bremertonian or just passing through, the street is open, and the story is just beginning.

For full details and upcoming events, visit www.quincy-square.com.

Our Downtown is alive and Quincy Square is calling.

Photo by Andrew Jones courtesy Downtown Bremerton Association