Mayor Eric Adams and NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced yesterday, Monday October 24, that for the first time ever nearly 100 NYC streets will go car-free on Monday, October 31 to provide NYers a safe way to spend their night trick-or-treating.
Aptly being called “Trick-or-Streets,” NYC’s original Open Streets program will expand on its hours this coming Monday from 4p.m. – 8p.m.
Some of the streets will even have Dia de las Muertos programming from NYC DOT’s Public Space partners throughout the Halloween weekend for some spooky, fa-boo-lous fun. NYC DOT’s Public Space Programing Initiative brings free arts, cultural, fitness, and educational experiences to public spaces for all New Yorkers to enjoy.
This news comes the same day the DOT celebrated the completion of the 34th Avenue Open Street redesign in Jackson Heights, a project started in 2020 that has successfully transformed 1.3 miles of 34th Avenue into a pedestrian and cyclist priority corridor. This Open Street dramatically reduced vehicular volumes and through traffic, improving safety for all road users with a 41.7% drop in crashes involving pedestrians.
“As we permanently open the gold standard, Open Street on 34th Avenue, we hope every family and every child has a safe and enjoyable Halloween with special evening Trick-or-Streets across the entire city,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This program brings together communities and city government to promote safety, community, and fun, and I want to thank all our partners on the ground for their contributions.”
Several special Halloween events will also be held at select Open Streets locations and include:
- Dumbo Arch Way: Pearl Street between Water Street and Anchorage Place, Brooklyn
4p.m. – Annual March to the Arch – parade through Dumbo & Brooklyn Bridge Park, led by brass bands & puppets. (Start at Washington at Water Streets).
4:30p.m. – 7p.m. – Dumboween Party. Live music. Arts & crafts. Photo booth. Costume contest for humans and pets. Plus pick up a map of trick or treating in the neighborhood. - 12th Street Plaza: 12th Street Between 44th Avenue and 43rd Road, Queens
4p.m. – 6p.m. – Trick or treat your way around the 12th Street Plaza with arts & crafts, candy, and lots of fun. - Myrtle Avenue Plaza: Myrtle Avenue from Grand Avenue to Emerson Place, Brooklyn
From 4p.m. – 6p.m. the annual Myrtle Avenue Monster Mash dance party will welcome back guests with games, treats, dancing, a live DJ, and a special Thriller dance-off. - Quisqueya Plaza: Dyckman Street between Broadway and Seaman Avenue, Manhattan.
A Halloween Parade will begin at 3p.m.
The full list of open streets, as well as the full calendar of Halloween events, can be found here.