Park City Closes Main Street for Sundance Festival Amid Safety Concerns

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City officials announced Wednesday that Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, citing heightened safety concerns following a deadly truck attack in New Orleans earlier this month. The closure will begin midday on Jan. 23, the festival’s opening day, and will restrict vehicular access to Swede Alley for operational purposes only.

Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter said the decision was made in collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. “We understand closing Main Street to vehicles improves public safety, but also may temporarily inconvenience locals and small businesses,” Carpenter said. “Public safety is our top priority, and this proactive approach ensures that we can all enjoy the festival in a secure and welcoming environment.”

The move comes in response to a suspected terrorist attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans, where a truck driver plowed into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing more than a dozen people. “In light of what happened in New Orleans, we’re always evaluating risk and assessing that risk,” Carpenter said. He also noted that the festival’s timing, coinciding with the presidential inauguration, adds to the need for heightened security measures.

Barricades will be installed on Main Street from Swede Alley to 7th Street starting Jan. 23. Carpenter emphasized that the plan is flexible and could be adjusted if conditions change. “If things change and we don’t need those precautions in place, then we’ll consider changing those or adjusting the plan as needed,” he said.

During the festival, Main Street will close to vehicle traffic daily around noon, with limited access for deliveries and other essential services in the Old Town core. Swede Alley will be restricted to vehicles with access passes or ADA permits, while Park Avenue will become one-way northbound. Hillside Avenue will also be limited to vehicles with residential passes.

Approximately 100,000 people are expected to attend the two-week festival, according to event permits. Rideshare dropoff zones will be located on lower Main Street between 7th and 9th streets and at the South Marsac parking lot. The city is encouraging festivalgoers to use public transportation, with buses running every 15 minutes between Old Town and Richardson Flat from 6:40 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2. The Main Street closure mirrors safety measures implemented during the annual Kimball Arts Festival, which also restricts vehicle access to the area.