Spooky Season kick-off with the Return of Car-Free ‘Trick-or-Streets’

Photo of previous ‘Trick-or-Streets’ celebration in Brooklyn. Credit: NYC DOT

Third Annual ‘Trick-or-Streets’ Event Will Feature More Than 100 Events Planned in All Five Boroughs Throughout October

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the agency will host more than 100 car-free events across the five boroughs in the month of October as part of the city’s third annual ‘Trick-or-Streets’ program. This year’s program is the largest ever, with NYC DOT and its partners hosting free Halloween-themed events throughout the month. Today’s announcement includes 10 signature events at locations in all five boroughs, the first of which will take place this Saturday, October 5, as well as seven partner events to be held throughout early and mid-October. In the coming weeks, NYC DOT will release the full list of Trick-or-Street events taking place this October, along with a map of car-free streets for Halloween. For more information about ‘Trick-or-Streets’ locations, visit nyc.gov/trickorstreets.

Part of the city’s Open Streets, Plaza, and Public Realm programming initiatives, ‘Trick-or-Streets’ allows groups of residents, community organizations, institutions, and other neighborhood associations to create car-free streets for New Yorkers to safely participate in Halloween activities.

Signature events will take place throughout the month of October leading up to Halloween. These premier locations include Halloween-themed programming and performances. Programming will include live music, circus acts, comedic clown performances, jugglers, and more.

• Decatur Avenue Open Street, The Bronx – October 31, 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. produced by Street Lab
• Fordham Plaza, The Bronx – October 26, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. produced by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
• Berry Street Open Street, Brooklyn – October 27, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. produced by The Horticultural Society of New York
• Kensington Plaza, Brooklyn – October 19, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. produced by Broadway for Arts Education
• W 9th Street Open Street, Brooklyn – October 26, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. produced by Broadway for Arts Education
• Audubon Avenue Open Street, Manhattan – October 26, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. produced by NYC Kidsfest
• Pell Street Open Street + Doyers Plaza, Manhattan – October 31, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. produced by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
• 165th Street Open Street, Queens – October 30, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. produced by Street Lab
• 31st Avenue Open Street, Queens – October 31, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. produced by The Horticultural Society of New York
• Castleton Avenue, Staten Island – October 5, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. produced by NYC Kidsfest

This upcoming weekend, New Yorkers can look forward to the following ‘Trick-or-Street’ events:

• October 5: NYC DOT signature event on Castleton Ave, Staten Island that will be produced by NYC DOT Public Realm Programming Partner NYC Kids Fest, Staten Island Business Outreach Center, and Castleton Ave Merchants Association.
• October 5: Bike the Block Event at the Woodside Avenue Open Street in Queens that is produced by NYC DOT in partnership with Thai Community USA
• October 6: Inaugural ‘BQ Flea’ market with BK Flea in Williamsburg, Brooklyn under BQE at Meeker Ave between Union Ave and Lorimer St. This is the first of four market dates, and the perfect place to find a spooky costume or mysterious prop for a haunted house. The market will run every Sunday in October.

In Mid-October, New Yorkers are invited to join in on the Halloween and fall festivities at the following partner events:

• October 18: Mount Hope Place Open Streets, The Bronx – 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. produced by PS 117
• October 19: 34th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Parade (E 9th St between Avenue A and Avenue B, Manhattan) – 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. produced by The Friends of the First Run
• October 19: Gansevoort Plaza, Manhattan – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. produced by Meatpacking Business Improvement District
• October 19: Chauncey Street Open Street, Brooklyn – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. produced by Chauncey Street Block and Tenant Association
• October 20: Tompkins Ave Open Street, Brooklyn – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. produced by Tompkins Ave Merchants Association and Bridge Street Development Corporation

‘Trick-or-Streets’ builds on the Adams administration’s efforts to make streets safer for children and families. This year, the city launched a record number of school-related Open Streets and improved visibility at intersections near schools. New York City has a roughly 100-year-history of closing streets for children to play and to support educational opportunities, and ‘Trick-or-Streets’ follows in this tradition by ensuring that all New Yorkers can safely enjoy public spaces.