Selling Your Home During a Major City Event: A Guide to Success

Listing your home in a bustling downtown area, especially when a major city event or festival is kicking off, can feel like trying to open your door into a parade. You want to capture the benefits of the spring market without losing serious buyers to street closures and parking headaches. In this guide, you will learn how to time your listing, plan showings around major activity, and use smart marketing to ensure you still attract motivated buyers. Let's dive in.

Why Event Timing Matters

Large city events are massive, citywide occasions that draw significant crowds and generate high traffic in and around downtown corridors, public parks, and event venues. You’ll feel this impact most around main thoroughfares and entertainment districts. According to national research, mid-spring is often the best week to list for higher views and faster sales. Major city events can often overlap with this seasonal sweet spot, so the goal is to gain the springtime advantage while strategically limiting access issues.

Traffic, Parking, and Access

Managing logistics is your first priority to ensure a smooth showing process.

Major Closure Windows to Watch

Events often involve parades, races, or major installations that require street closures. Closures can begin hours before the event starts and last well after the event ends, which can block buyer access and curbside parking. Always review the current year’s closure maps and schedules before you set any showings or an open house.

Parking Changes You Should Plan For

During major events, the city often adjusts standard parking rules. Free parking programs may be suspended, and garages near event routes often switch to event rates. Meter rules and garage availability can also change. Share paid-lot options, estimated costs, and directions with buyers in advance so they know where to park.

Transit and Rideshare Options

Local transit services like VIA (in San Antonio) often run dedicated event shuttles or adjust routes. On heavy event days, encourage buyers and agents to use public transit or rideshare services and plan extra buffer time for arrival and departure.

Showings and Open Houses During Events

Best Days and Times

Avoid public open houses during the heaviest event activity—for example, a Saturday parade or a major street festival. Instead, offer by-appointment showings outside of closure windows and on quieter, non-event days. Block out known closure periods in your MLS remarks so buyer agents don't get surprised by barricades and delays.

Go Virtual First

When in-person access is limited, keep your listing momentum online. Use high-quality photography, video, and a 3D virtual tour so buyers can preview the property remotely. The adoption of 3D tours continues to grow, and it’s a practical way to keep interest high until in-person showings can resume.

Safety and Visitor Management

Large crowds can make it harder to supervise a property during events. Remove valuables and medications, require sign-in, and verify ID for open houses. These are standard best practices anytime, and they matter even more when your neighborhood is crowded with visitors.

Staging, Photos, and Curb Appeal

Plan exterior photography on non-event days to avoid crowds, event detritus (like confetti or trash), and blocked streets in your images. If you absolutely must shoot during the event, add a caption noting the city festival so buyers do not assume the street is always that busy. Keep sidewalks clear and schedule quick clean-ups after any nearby events.

Legal Signage and City Rules

Do not place signs in the public right-of-way or attach anything to poles or trees. Municipalities remove illegal signs, and penalties for non-compliance are increasing. Use only on-premises signs that comply with city code, and ask about special event rules before adding anything extra.

A Simple Listing Week Game Plan

List just before peak event days if possible to capture strong spring demand and minimize initial access issues.

Block out known closure windows on your showing calendar.

Share a one-page access guide with buyers that includes parking, rideshare, and public transit options.

Prioritize 3D tours and video while access is tight, then convert interest to in-person showings when the neighborhood is quieter.

Schedule exterior photos and drone shots on non-event days.

Keep a Plan B for weather or event route changes and update all parties quickly.

Should You List During a Major Event?

Yes, if you plan for it. Spring demand is strong, and you can still attract serious buyers with the right strategy. If you have flexibility, a launch just before the busiest event days is ideal. If not, use virtual tools, clear access instructions, and targeted scheduling to protect your sales momentum.

Ready to sell smart during a big city event or any time of year? Let's build a plan that maximizes your results.