NDOT and Walk Bike Nashville Invite Ghosts and Goblins to Enjoy Record Breaking Expansion of Halloween Open Streets

Halloween festivities bring an increase of people walking on neighborhood streets, including little ghouls and vampires on the prowl for candy, and The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) and Walk Bike Nashville are inviting residents to attend any of the 71 Halloween Open Streets events scheduled for the upcoming holiday. The 71 Open Street events represent a more than 73 percent increase in participants from the 2025 program.

Commonly known as block parties, these street closures are part of NDOT's Open Streets Program that gives neighborhoods the opportunity to temporarily close streets to cars for community activities.

In partnership with Walk Bike Nashville, and as part of Nashville's Vision Zero initiative, residents can submit Open Streets permits for free and check-out approved traffic control materials such as signs and cones at no cost.

"Halloween gives us an opportunity to engage our neighbors and meet new ones, and NDOT's expansion to 71 Open Street events shows how excited the community is about the chance to gather in this way," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "Choose How You Move is the largest investment in roadway safety in our city's history, so I look forward to the opportunity to have more events like this in the years ahead."

Community members can explore the Nashville Halloween Open Streets map to discover an event near them.

"Halloween is scary, but trick-or-treating doesn't have to be!" said NDOT Director Ryan Lynch. "Street safety is a priority every day and Halloween night is no different. Opening streets for people is a great tool for neighborhoods looking to celebrate their BOO-tiful communities. I'm excited to see so many Nashville residents embracing this great program, and NDOT hopes it grows even bigger next Halloween."

"There's no better time than Halloween for neighbors to host an open street in their community," said Walk Bike Nashville Open Streets Assistant Manager Calah Gipson. "We're excited to see so many Nashvillians opening their neighborhood streets to ghouls of all ages."

Metropolitan Council Members throughout Davidson County are also encouraging residents to enjoy Open Streets in their neighborhoods.

"There's nothing spookier than an unsafe street. Every neighborhood deserves a safe place to gather and celebrate and it's fantastic to see this many Open Streets across Nashville this Halloween," said Council Member Sean Parker.

"Block parties strengthen communities and help neighbors to see the street as a bridge to each other," said Council Member Burkley Allen.

"I'm delighted that so many Nashville neighbors are coming together to make their streets safe and joyful this Halloween. I, and the parents and neighbors of all the Dollys, Spidermen, Pumpkins, and Cats are deeply appreciative of NDOT's work to make sure our streets are for people," said Council Member Quin Evans Segall.

For the many neighborhood streets that will still be open to motor vehicles during Halloween celebrations, NDOT has the following safety tips:

• Drivers Pay Attention- Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians.
• Drivers Slow Down- Roads will be more crowded. Slower speeds save lives.
• Follow the Rules of the Road- Obey all signs and signals.
• Where Possible, Walk on Sidewalks- If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Make the Effort to Cross at Crosswalks or Street Corners- Look for cars in all directions.

More information on the Open Streets Program, including how to apply, is available at Open Streets Nashville.

To report a non-emergency issue affecting a Metro Nashville street, visit hub.nashville.gov.