Mayor Mamdani Announces Largest-Ever Trick-or-Streets With 160 Car-Free Open Streets and Plazas Citywide

NEW YORK - Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the return of the beloved Trick-or-Streets, with a record 160 car-free Open Streets and plazas across the five boroughs set to host Halloween and fall celebrations throughout October. The list of events is now available at nyc.gov/trickorstreets.

Cultural organizations, community groups and schools will transform neighborhood streets and plazas into spaces for New Yorkers of all ages to celebrate the spooky season safely and together. New this year, the Municipal Art Society of New York will offer free guided walking tours highlighting the history, architecture and public spaces of participating neighborhoods, and Street Lab will produce festive events at select public schools across the city.

"New York City does Halloween like nowhere else, and this year we're giving New Yorkers a better, spookier time than ever before. We're opening up 160 streets and plazas for trick-or-treating, games, music and a whole lot of fun," said Mayor Mamdani. "And 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."

"The best treat for children this Halloween is 160 car-free locations to enjoy fun, safe celebrations - but the 75,000 pieces of candy NYC DOT is giving out this year are a close second," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "These events carry on the great work we do to use public space to bring entire neighborhoods together to share in the holiday spirit. I thank our great partners and participants for always making this a fun and festive experience."

Signature Events

Brooklyn: Hillel Plaza
Thursday, October 22, 2 - 6 p.m.
In partnership with Flatbush Nostrand Junction BID and J Ember Design

Staten Island: Water Street Open Street
Saturday, October 24, 12 - 5 p.m.
In partnership with the Van Duzer Civic Association and NYC KidsFest

Queens: Austin Street Open Street
Sunday, October 25, 2 - 5 p.m.
In partnership with Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street and Hive Public Space

Manhattan: Canal Open Street and Division Plaza
Wednesday, October 28, 3 - 7 p.m.
In partnership with the Canal Street Merchants Association and Closed Frame Productions

Bronx: James Baldwin Plaza
Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
In partnership with the James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center and Orisha Wholeness

In a new partnership with Street Lab, signature events will also take place outside schools across the city, including:

• PS 59 The Community School of Technology, the Bronx
• PS 28 Mount Hope Centennial School, the Bronx
• PS 159 Luis Munoz Marin, the Bronx
• PS 18 Edward Bush, Brooklyn
• PS 137, Brooklyn
• Dock Street School for STEAM studies, Brooklyn
• Community Health Academy of the Heights, Manhattan
• PS 102 Jacques Cartier, Manhattan
• PS.95Q The Eastwood School, Queens

"For the second year, Hive Public Space is proud to collaborate with NYC DOT as the Queens Signature Partner for Trick-or-Streets, transforming Austin Street in Forest Hills into a place where neighbors can gather, play and celebrate together," said Alexa Gonzalez, Founding Principal of Hive Public Space. "Alongside Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street, we are bringing creative ideas to life, showcasing local talent and demonstrating how play, creativity and connection can turn a street into a place where community thrives and neighbors feel a true sense of belonging."

"NYC KidsFest is thrilled to partner with NYC DOT and the Van Duzer Street Civic Association to bring Trick-or-Streets to life this year," said Jessica Chornesky, Director of NYC KidsFest. "Together, we're transforming Water Street into a day of scary, family-friendly fun - with a costume contest, live music, face painting and many more activities for people of all ages and abilities."

"The Van Duzer Civic Association is thrilled to partner with the NYC Department of Transportation to provide a safe, car-free space for a Halloween-themed NYC Open Streets 'Stapleton Saturday's' Trick-Or-Streets," said Peter Lisi, President of The Van Duzer Civic Association. "Not often can you play in the middle of a normally busy NYC street and enjoy live music, activities, costume trick-or-treating and family fun for all ages. We can't wait to transform the street into a free haunted community celebration for everyone to enjoy."

"For another year, our partnership with DOT lets us transform NYC streets into free, accessible public stages featuring family-friendly Halloween- and harvest-themed activities, and this time throughout the entire month of October," said Bianka Cypriano, Director of Closed Frame Productions. "Trick-or-Streets continues to anchor our mission of driving foot traffic and economic vitality in environmental justice areas through cross-borough cultural programs that celebrate diversity and meet communities where they are."

"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," said Leslie Davol, Executive Director of Street Lab. "Street Lab is excited to be working with NYC DOT and NYC public schools to create those places on streets in front of schools on Halloween, and on other days throughout October."

"Orisha Wholeness is proud to participate in Trick-or-Streets again this year and to work alongside NYC DOT and our local community partners to transform public spaces into safe, welcoming places where families can come together, move, create and celebrate," said the Orisha Wholeness team. "Our previous Trick-or-Streets experience showed us just how much the community values free, family-friendly programming, and we're excited to continue building on that momentum."

"As always, we are thrilled to be able to host another Trick-or-Streets event in our corridor," said Kristin Daggan, Chair of the Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization (CAMO). "Programming this event is one of our favorites - and it's always exciting to kick off the entire City celebration in our very own Staten Island!"

"The Staten Island Business Outreach Center and the Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization are excited to participate in NYC DOT's Trick-or-Streets program and proud to host the first Trick-or-Streets event on Staten Island this season," said Nina Flores, Executive Director of the Staten Island Business Outreach Center. "This is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together on Castleton Avenue for a day of family fun while showcasing and supporting our local small businesses. We are thrilled to help kick off Trick-or-Streets right here on Staten Island and look forward to welcoming families from across the borough."

"J. Ember Design is thrilled to work with NYC DOT as the programming partner for the Brooklyn Signature Trick-or-Streets Event at Hillel Plaza on Thursday, October 22nd," said Julie Ember, Founder and Principal, J. Ember Design. "We are excited to partner with the Flatbush Nostrand Junction BID, along with local schools, shops and cultural groups, to celebrate Halloween and the harvest season, featuring music, dancing and more - stimulating the senses, enjoying spooky delights and joyfully reveling with fellow neighbors, families, students and older adults at Flatbush Junction!"

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