Newbury Street went car free Sunday for the first of 10 days this summer, as the expanded Open Newbury Street traffic diversion took place.

For consecutive Sundays from yesterday thorough September 1, Newbury Street will be pedestrian only, opening up the heart of the Back Bay to residents on foot.

“Open Newbury has become a beloved summer tradition in Boston, and I’m grateful to the many small business owners who work together with the City to make this possible,” said Mayor Michelle Wu when she announced this year’s expanded schedule.

Open Newbury Street was first piloted in 2016 and since then thousands have enjoyed food, shopping, and dining along the mile-long, eight-block stretch from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue.

People enjoy Sunday’s Open Newbury Street, the first of 10 car-free Sunday’s on the Back Bay thoroughfare. (Chris Christo/Boston Herald)