New York City is opening 160 streets and plazas across the five boroughs as car-free spaces throughout October for Halloween events. After today's kickoff in Forest Hills, Queens, events remain in Manhattan on Oct. 28 and the Bronx on Oct. 31. All are free.
Throughout October, New York City is opening 160 streets and plazas across the five boroughs as car-free "Open Streets" for its Halloween program, Trick-or-Streets. The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) is giving out 75,000 pieces of candy, and all events are free. The full schedule is available at nyc.gov/trickorstreets.
Three of the flagship events remain. Today (Oct. 25), one runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Austin Street in Forest Hills, Queens. Another takes place Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Canal Open Street and Division Plaza in Manhattan, and the last on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at James Baldwin Plaza in the Bronx. The events will feature trick-or-treating, face painting, live performances and games, and the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) will also offer free walking tours on local history and architecture.
NYC Parks is separately holding events at parks and recreation centers. On Friday, Oct. 30, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn will host a haunted house and a costume and dance contest. The same day, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Bowne Park Fieldhouse in Queens will offer a pumpkin patch, crafts, rides and an indoor haunted maze. In case of rain, the outdoor event in Queens will move to Nov. 1, while the haunted house will open as scheduled. Neither event requires advance registration.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said New York "celebrates Halloween like no other city," adding that the city has opened 160 locations so children can get candy and enjoy games and music. The city will also hold events in front of some public schools together with the nonprofit StreetLab. Information on park events is available at nycgovparks.org/events/fall-festivals.