By Gus Saltonstall
Spooky season is upon us and multiple streets will be closed to cars throughout the five boroughs during both the lead up to Halloween, and on the night itself, including on the Upper West Side.
The street closure Halloween programming from the New York City Department of Transportation, dubbed “Trick-or-Streets,” which is back for its fourth consecutive year, will feature events from October 17 through October 31.
Here are the city-partnered Halloween celebrations to know about on the Upper West Side.
West 114th Street from Broadway to Amsterdam
- Time of Closure: Thursday, October 23 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
- Host: The West 116th Street Block Association
West 106th to 110th streets on Amsterdam Avenue
- Time of Closure: Saturday, October 25 from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Host: The Columbus Amsterdam Business Improvement District
West 110th to 111th streets on Amsterdam Avenue
- Haunted Fountain at the Cathedral Halloween Festival
- Time of closure: Saturday, October 25 from 2 to 7 p.m.
- Host: The West 111th Street Block Association
West 68th to 77th streets on Columbus Avenue
- Time of closure: Sunday, October 26 from noon to 7 p.m.
- Host: The Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District
West 78th Street from Amsterdam and Columbus
- Time of closure: Friday, October 31, from 4 to 9 p.m.
- Host: The West 78th Street Museum Block Association
West 107th street from Manhattan Avenue to Central Park West
- Time of closure: Friday, October 31, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Host: The Manhattan Avenue Tenants & Block Association
The Upper West Side block best known for Halloween festivities is West 69th Street, and while it is not an official “Trick-or-Street” this year, it will be hosting its usual celebration.
The West 69th Street stretch from Central Park West to Broadway will be closed to cars from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night, but for those who want to appreciate the halloween decorations, it might be worth walking down the stretch in the days leading up to the holiday, as the blocks can get incredibly crowded on the holiday itself.
You can learn more about the “Trick-or-Street” programming — HERE.
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Yayyy for Halloween themed Open Streets , will be fun as always.
The 69th street block party seems shockingly short at only 2 hours the night of Halloween, would really like to see that extended or expanded into blocking off Columbus as well, it’s always incredibly crowded.
Yet another reminder of the fun events that are possible when our streets prioritize people!
UWS Dad,
October 31 is also the beginning of the marathon weekend.
CPW may be closed due to marathon opening events.
Columbus must be open for buses – M7 and M11.
As for 69th Street, residents have a life too not to mention the cost of supplying candy for the crowds.
But maybe you’ll host us all?
I love all the events too! Its much easier to build community with your neighbors when you’re not isolated in a car.
Indeed that’s part of the magic that makes NYC great!
Not surprised—that’s classic TransAlt Dad for you.
I’m honestly getting tired of hearing platitudes like ‘when our streets prioritize people!’ It’s just empty talk. Closing streets for special occasions is fine, but random weekends here and there just make things harder for everyone. Streets are meant for cars, buses, and people
People drive cars!
Actually there are many Halloween events and celebrations all over – at schools, museums and more.
And many buildings still do trick or treating.
For some kids, there is now Halloween overload…
Wow, try telling my kids there is such a thing as Halloween overload, you’ll get nowhere
Having a few special days where we have events like this isn’t a problem. There’s a fine line between having streets closed here and there for an exciting event and wanting block parties all the time day in and day out all over the neighborhood while it becomes a de facto gated community.
Yeah this ‘de facto gated community’ comment is just nonsense if you think about it for longer than a single second. There is no gate. There is abundant public transportation which is far more affordable than owning a car.
“De facto gated communities” that anyone can walk or bike into, huh. How do you live in Manhattan with such a vehicle-centric mentality?
So only people who can walk and bike in Manhattan are the kind of people you want in Manhattan?
How do you live in Manhattan and notnsee.the people with limited mobility who need cars and buses?
Yes these events are being weaponized as part of a culture war against cars and that is what is the problem, not the events themselves which are nice.
Three cheers for the block associations and BIDs! Thanks for the spooky-season info, Gus—and the great photo!
Also 102nd St between West End and Riverside on 10/31 from 5pm-8:30.
Sponsored by the 102/103 Block association
In past years 94th (or 95th?) between Columbus and CPW has been closed to traffic and open for Trick or Treating on the evening of Halloween. Is that not happening this year?
95th. I had the same question.
90th between Columbus and CPW will be closed for trick or treating as well
There is also West 87 St from West End t Riverside.
Note:
Friday October 31 is also the kick-off for the marathon – which will take place on Sunday November 2.
The Friday October 31 events include the opening ceremony, “Parade of Nations” and fireworks.
Start time appears to be 4:00pm.
There may be street closures on Central Park