Halloween Goes Car-Free: NYC’s Trick-or-Streets Brings Family Fun to Every Borough
New York City is doing Halloween its own way again this year, and families are in for a treat. Trick-or-Streets is back for its fourth season, and the celebrations are already in full swing across the five boroughs. Through October 31, several neighborhood blocks, plazas, and open streets will continue to transform into festive, car-free zones filled with music, costumes, and fun.
What started as a one-week experiment has grown into a two-week citywide festival, turning some of the busiest pedestrian areas into fun and walkable spaces packed with music, performances, crafts, and Halloween fun for all ages.
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For parents, that translates into a safer way to celebrate Halloween. Every year, Halloween sees a spike in traffic accidents, many involving children. It is one of the deadliest nights on the streets for kids. Trick-or-Streets creates car-free spaces so kids can walk, play, and trick-or-treat without the usual risks of crowded streets and passing cars.
This year’s Trick-or-Streets lineup offers plenty for kids and even teens. Families can enjoy live music, interactive performances, seasonal games, and arts and crafts. The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) works with community groups, local businesses, and city agencies to make it all happen, so every event is meant to capture its own local flavor.
Plus, events are happening across every borough. The Staten Island celebration has already taken place. Castleton Avenue, between Bement Avenue and Davis Avenue, was lit up on Saturday, October 18, in Staten Island. The event had a cozy, small-town vibe, with local merchants joining in the fun.
Here are a few other signature events still coming up:
- Queens: 61st Street Open Street in Woodside hosts a festive evening on Friday, October 24, from 4–8 pm., thanks to the team at Woodside On The Move Inc.
- Brooklyn: Franklin Avenue Open Street, between Atlantic Avenue and Eastern Parkway, becomes a Halloween hub on Saturday, October 25 from noon to 6 pm with music, food, and community spirit.
- Bronx: Manor Avenue, from Westchester Avenue to East 172 Street, joins in on Friday, October 31 from 1–6 pm, organized by The C.O.R.E Family Enrichment Center.
- Manhattan: St. Nicholas Avenue, from West 116th to West 118th Street, keeps the celebration going on Friday, October 31 from 3–8 pm, led by The A. Philip Randolph Square Neighborhood Alliance.
Whether your kids are young and excited to show off their costumes or you have teens looking for something a bit more interesting than the usual door-to-door trick-or-treating, Trick-or-Streets can attract all ages and keep them safe on Halloween.
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Some blocks will feature dance troupes and DJs, while others focus on crafts, games, and harvest-themed fun. Each location reflects its neighborhood’s personality, from local food vendors and artists to cultural performances that highlight NYC’s diversity.
As always, events are free and open to the public, but they’re weather-dependent, so be sure to check for updates before heading out. The city’s interactive Trick-or-Streets map lets families search by date or location to find events nearby.
With activities organized by local groups and no traffic to worry about, parents can focus on enjoying the holiday with their children instead of constantly watching for danger, and that is surely something to celebrate.
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