160 NYC Streets And Plazas Are Going Car-Free For Halloween

NEW YORK CITY — Candy, costumes and car-free streets are coming to neighborhoods across New York City this October for the city’s largest-ever “Trick-or-Streets” celebration.

A record 160 Open Streets and plazas across the five boroughs will host free Halloween and fall festivities, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and city Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said Wednesday.

Activities will include trick-or-treating, face painting, live entertainment and games, with cultural organizations, community groups and schools helping turn neighborhood streets into gathering spaces.

“The only cars you should see at Trick-or-Streets are the ones made of cardboard, powered by two legs and fueled by a lot of sugar,” Mamdani said.

The DOT plans to give out 75,000 pieces of candy during this year’s celebrations, Flynn said.

New this year, the Municipal Art Society of New York will offer free guided walking tours exploring the history, architecture and public spaces of participating neighborhoods.

The city will also partner with Street Lab to hold events outside nine public schools, including Manhattan’s Community Health Academy of the Heights and P.S. 102 Jacques Cartier.

“Halloween is a day when New York City kids should feel happy and safe on the streets of their neighborhood, and have a place to gather with friends, family and neighbors,” Street Lab Executive Director Leslie Davol said.

Five signature celebrations — one in each borough — are scheduled for late October:

• Brooklyn: Hillel Plaza, Thursday, Oct. 22, from 2 to 6 p.m.
• Staten Island: Water Street Open Street, Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Queens: Austin Street Open Street, Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m.
• Manhattan: Canal Open Street and Division Plaza, Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Bronx: James Baldwin Plaza, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Families can find the full list of events here.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.