No cars allowed on Park City’s main street for the Sundance Film Festival

Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter said Wednesday closing Main Street to car traffic during Sundance is part of increased security procedures for this year’s festival.

Carpenter said the decision was made in cooperation 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 can also temporarily inconvenience local residents and small businesses,” Carpenter said. “After careful consideration and consultation with several key federal, state and local public safety agencies and event partners, it became clear that this was the necessary and right decision. Public safety is the Park City Police Department’s top priority, and this proactive approach ensures that we can all enjoy the festival in a safe and welcoming environment.”

The move comes after a suspected terrorist drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, killing more than a dozen people.

“In light of what happened in New Orleans, we always evaluate the risk and assess that risk,” the police chief said. “Also looking at the fact that Sundance is coming on the heels of the inauguration, there are a lot of potential risks that we need to assess.”

Carpenter said barricades will be placed on Main Street from Swede Alley to 7th Street beginning on the first day of the festival, Thursday, Jan. 23.

“If things change and we don’t need these precautions in place, then we will consider changing them or adjusting the plan as needed,” he said.

While restrictions are in place, Main Street will close to vehicular traffic around noon each day. Carpenter said they will provide access to supplies and other needs in the Old Town.

“This will be very similar to what you see during the (Kimball Arts Festival),” the chief said.

During the two-week festival, Swede Alley will be limited to vehicles with a pass or ADA permit. Park Avenue will be one-way northbound or downhill. Only vehicles with a residence permit may drive south.

Hillside Avenue will also be restricted to vehicles with residence permits.

About 100,000 people are expected to attend the two-week festival in Park City, according to event permits.

For those using rideshare apps, the drop-off zones are lower Main Street between 7th and 9th streets and the South Marsac parking lot.

The city encourages festival-goers to use free public transport system. Buses will run every 15 minutes between Old Town and Richardson Flat from 06.40 to 02.00 am

The Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 23 to Sunday, February 2.

Sundance website

Park City’s 2025 Sundance Community Guide