Mayor Adams Unveils The Second Annual “Trick-or-Streets,” Expanding Car-free Streets From Harlem To Hollis

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the return and expansion of “Trick-or-Streets.”

Its second installment, following its successful launch last year. Throughout October, the city will activate Open Streets, plazas, and other corridors to celebrate Halloween and expand access to safe, car-free pedestrian space. Additionally, at 15 premier locations in all five boroughs, DOT and its partners will host festive Halloween programming at events throughout the month. 

“‘Trick-or-Streets’ was a hit last year, and we’re excited to bring it back so New York City youth can safely enjoy Halloween,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration has been relentless in our efforts to be creative in maximizing and utilizing the city’s public space, allowing communities to come together in ways they never could before. We encourage anyone interested in hosting a ‘Trick-or-Streets’ event to apply to join the program, and we look forward to working with you to deliver the safest and most fun Halloween the city has ever seen.” 

“Our Open Streets are a ‘treat’ to us all, and we’re excited to continue this holiday tradition with our community partners,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Having a designated safe place for families to celebrate costumes and candy is now another reason to be in New York City.” 

“After a remarkably successful inaugural ‘Trick-or-Streets’ last Halloween, we are proud to bring this event back this year with even more holiday spirit. Open Streets has led to many great programs, ranging from the transitioning of temporary open spaces to permanent plazas, to bike boulevards, and now to the annual Halloween tradition of ‘Trick-or-Streets,’” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “This event gives New Yorkers the opportunity to safely enjoy the holiday along a wide variety of safer, shared community spaces, and I wish all of New York’s ghouls and goblins a wonderful and safe night of tricks and treats!

In 2022, for the first time ever, DOT activated nearly 100 Open Streets, plazas, and other corridors on Halloween night, so New Yorkers could enjoy a safe, car-free, trick-or-treating experience.  

This year, also for the first time ever, DOT is producing 15 premier events at Open Streets and plazas in all five boroughs. Programming will include special performances, festive activities, expanded public space for trick or treating, and more. A full list of participating locations will be available online later this month. Open Streets partners, plaza partners, and community-based organizations can apply to join the “Trick or Streets” program online by October 18, 2023. 

The initial set of “Trick or Streets” premier events will take place at the following times and locations: 

Saturday, October 14 

• West 12th Street, from Surf Avenue to Dead End (Brooklyn), 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by HONK NYC! and the Alliance for Coney Island 

Saturday, October 21 

• 5th Avenue, from Douglass Street to DeGraw Street (Brooklyn), 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by HONK NYC! and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District 
• Parkside Avenue and Ocean Avenue (Brooklyn), 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by HONK NYC! and Flatbush Avenue/Parkside Empire Merchants Association 

Friday, October 27 

• Lafayette Street, from Spring Street to Kenmare Street (Manhattan), 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by Mov!ng Culture Projects and Osteria Morini 

Saturday, October 28 

• Audobon Avenue, from West 186th Street to West 188th Street (Manhattan), 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Connectemos and The Horticultural Society of New York 
• West 186th Street, from Audubon Avenue to St. Nicholas Avenue (Manhattan), 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Connectemos and The Horticultural Society of New York 

• Fordham Plaza at Webster Avenue (Bronx), 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by The Bronx is Reading 
• Troutman Street, from St. Nicholas Avenue to Irving Avenue (Brooklyn), 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, sponsored by Mov!ng Culture Projects and Bushwick Foundation for Artists and Merchants 
• Beverley Road, from Church Avenue to East 2nd Street (Brooklyn), 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by HONK NYC! 
• Beverley Road, from Church Avenue to East 2nd Street (Brooklyn), 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Trick-or-Streets Brooklyn ride sponsored by WE Bike NYC! 

Sunday, October 29 

• Frederick Douglass Boulevard, from West 112th Street to West 120th Street (Manhattan), 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM, sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance 

Tuesday, October 31 

• Dyckman Street, from Broadway to Seaman Avenue (Manhattan), 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsored by Dyckman Gardens 

• Evelyn Place, from Aqueduct Avenue East to Grand Avenue (Bronx), 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, sponsored by HONK NYC! and I Am My Community 
• Jackson Avenue, East 149th Street to Pontiac Place (Bronx), 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by Street Lab and The Horticultural Society of New York 
• Minthorne Street, from Bay Street to Victory Boulevard (Staten Island), 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by The Angiuli Group 

Saturday, November 4 

• Fordham Plaza at Webster Avenue (Bronx), 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by The Bronx is Reading 

The city will also release a schedule of activities for Dia De Los Muertos/Day of the Dead to take place in early November in Times Square Plaza. 

“I’m so thrilled to collaborate with the Department of Transportation to host our ‘Authors & Writers Out Loud’ event at Fordham Plaza on October 28th during Bronx Night Market for ‘Trick or Streets’ that will include story time readings, author talks, and our fan favorite ‘trick or treat, give me something good to read’ book giveaway,” said Saraciea J. Fennell, founder, The Bronx is Reading. “It’s going to be a fun-filled day, and the entire community is invited!” 

“The Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance is pleased to be participating in DOT’s ‘Trick-or-Streets’ celebration,” said John Lynch, co-president, Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance (FDBA). “For three summers, FDBA has sponsored one of the city’s largest Open Streets programs on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, which is known as ‘The Gateway to Harlem’ and ‘Harlem’s Restaurant Row.’ The corridor is home to many minority-owned and small businesses that drive the neighborhood’s economy and employ numerous community residents. Halloween provides an opportunity to bring together people of all ages from all over New York — costumed or not! — to enjoy a safe and joyous celebration. Our numerous restaurants will offer Halloween specials, and our businesses will welcome all trick or treaters.” 

“HONK NYC!’s 2023 festival is built around our Open Streets — the best place to celebrate the creativity, diversity, and spirit of New York City,” said Sara Valentine, artistic and executive director, HONK NYC! “Especially during Halloween, when costuming, dancing, and parading happens in every community of the five boroughs.” 

“The Hort, a long-term partner of DOT in the horticulture, maintenance, and operations of Open Streets and public plazas, is proud to host another year of autumnal plant programming during Trick or Streets,” said Sara Hobel, executive director, The Horticultural Society of New York. “‘Harvest with the Hort’ will bring wonderfully spooky fall fun to Open Streets throughout the city in October!” 

“I am thrilled to be partnering with DOT and working alongside the Troutman and Lafayette Open Streets groups to help creatively transform their Open Streets into fun and safe ‘Trick-or-Streets’ where neighbors can gather to celebrate and participate in Halloween festivities right in the safety of their backyard,” said Robin Schatell, founder and director, Mov!ng Culture Projects. 

“Halloween is such an exciting day for New York City kids, and it gives people of all ages a chance to come outside, see neighbors, and feel connected. Making sure that neighborhoods have safe, welcoming community space is a great way to help good things happen on Halloween and every day of the year,” said Leslie Davol, executive director, Street Lab. “Street Lab will be out on Jackson Ave with P.S./M.S. 5 for ‘Trick-or-Streets,’ and we’re excited to be working with DOT and community groups across the Bronx to create new Open Streets at locations like this across the city.” 

Photo credit: “Trick-or-Streets” logo. Credit: New York City Department of Transportation.