Shutterstock / Einstein Barathyraj
This past summer was the summer where New Yorkers were outside. Now, we’re taking that same energy straight into spooky season—but this time, the costumes are on, the candy is flowing, and the streets are completely car-free.
NYC’s annual Trick-or-Streets is returning for its fifth year this October, and it’s officially bigger than ever. The city is opening up a record 160 car-free Open Streets and plazas across all five boroughs for Halloween and fall celebrations throughout the month.
Instead of dodging traffic, New Yorkers can spend the spooky season wandering through car-free neighborhood streets filled with trick-or-treating, face painting, live entertainment, games, interactive performances, and more.
And this year’s Trick-or-Streets isn’t just bigger in numbers. New for 2026, free guided neighborhood walking tours and Halloween-themed programming outside NYC public schools are joining the lineup, giving New Yorkers even more ways to celebrate without leaving the city.
The citywide celebration runs throughout October, with the biggest day of festivities arriving on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.
Here’s everything you need to know about Trick-or-Streets 2026.
Source / NYC DOT
🎃 What to Expect at Trick-or-Streets 2026
For the entire month of October, NYC DOT, cultural organizations, community groups, schools, and local partners will transform Open Streets, plazas, and other corridors into pedestrian-friendly destinations filled with Halloween and harvest-themed programming.
Along the car-free routes, New Yorkers can expect a lineup of free community programming, including:
Trick-or-treating (NYC DOT is handing out 75,000 pieces of candy!)
Face painting
Live entertainment and music
Games and interactive performances
Arts, crafts, and other family-friendly activities
NYC DOT says the initiative is designed to add more pedestrian space on and leading up to Halloween, historically one of the busiest nights of the year for NYC’s streets.
Source / NYC DOT
👻 What’s new for 2026?
This year’s celebration comes with two major additions designed to bring entire neighborhoods together.
Free neighborhood walking tours
For the first time, NYC DOT is partnering with the Municipal Art Society of New York to offer free guided walking tours throughout participating neighborhoods.
The tours will highlight the history, architecture, and public spaces of different NYC neighborhoods while exploring how city streets can serve as places for walking, gathering, and community connection.
Halloween fun outside NYC public schools
NYC DOT is also partnering with Street Lab and NYC public schools to bring Halloween-themed play, creative activities, and other kid-friendly programming to select school locations across the city.
Signature events will take place outside schools 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
NYC Council Media Unit / Emil Cohen
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated:
New York City does Halloween like nowhere else, and this year we’re giving New Yorkers a better, spookier time than ever before…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.
🗓️ 2026 Trick-or-Streets Schedule by Borough
While Trick-or-Streets programming takes place throughout October, NYC has also announced a handful of signature events across the five boroughs.
Brooklyn: Thursday, October 22 | 2 pm – 6 pm
Hillel Plaza on Hillel Place (Kenilworth Place to Flatbush Avenue)
Staten Island: Saturday, October 24 | 12 pm – 5 pm
Water Street Open Street on Water Street (Canal Street to Beach Street)
Queens: Sunday, October 25 | 2 pm – 5 pm
Austin Street Open Street on Austin Street (71 Avenue to 71 Road)
Manhattan: Wednesday, October 28 | 3 pm – 7 pm
Canal Open Street and Division Plaza (Orchard Street to Essex Street)
The Bronx: Saturday, October 31 | 10 am – 3 pm
James Baldwin Plaza on Goulden Avenue (at Mosholu Parkway)
‼️ Secret NYC Tip: Because the signature event hours vary wildly by borough—from weekday afternoons in Manhattan to weekend mornings in the Bronx—make sure to double-check the schedule before packing up your ghoul crew!
Source / NYC DOT
📍 See the full Trick-or-Streets map
The biggest night of the month arrives on Saturday, October 31, when New Yorkers can take advantage of Trick-or-Streets programming across the five boroughs.
Whether you’re looking for a kid-friendly Halloween outing or simply want to experience NYC’s streets without the usual soundtrack of honking horns, the official NYC DOT map (available at nyc.gov/trickorstreets) shows all participating locations throughout October, with more events expected to be announced.
So grab your costume, your candy bag, and your ghoul crew—the streets are getting spooky. 👻