More Than 100 Boston Streets Close to Cars for Halloween Weekend Under Play Street Permits; Newbury Street Goes Car-Free Again Dec. 6

More than 100 residential streets across Boston are closed to through-traffic this Halloween weekend for trick-or-treating and block parties, and the city has published an interactive map so residents can find them, according to an announcement from Mayor Michelle Wu's office.

The "Spooky Streets Map," posted at boston.gov/spooky-streets, shows every Play Street permit active from Friday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 1, including permits issued to recipients of the city's Spooky Streets Grant Program, the city said. A Play Street permit is an official authorization from the city that allows residents to temporarily close a residential street to through-traffic.

The announcement did not list the streets by neighborhood in its text; the map is the only published list of the streets that will be closed.

"Some of our most cherished childhood memories come from knocking on doors with friends and getting to know our neighbors," Wu said in the announcement. "Throughout neighborhoods across Boston, residents can use the City's Spooky Streets interactive map to find streets closed to traffic for trick-or-treating and community events." She thanked city staff and "every neighbor who applied for a permit to bring the community together."

The grant money came from outside the city budget. Elevate Cities provided $25,000 this year to help the city support resident-led events, according to the announcement, and residents could receive grants of up to $500 to host Halloween, fall and harvest block parties. At the maximum award, that funding would cover at least 50 grants; the city did not say how many were awarded or how many of the permits shown on the map were grant-funded.

Chris Osgood, the city's interim chief of streets, said in the announcement that his team "has streamlined the Play Street permits process to make it faster and easier for neighborhoods to enjoy the block party experience." The city said it has also expanded what residents can have at a block party without additional permits, including potluck food, tables and chairs, and 10-by-10 tents. A Block Party Planning Guide is posted on the city's website.

Mohammed Missouri, executive director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, said the city was "excited to host Spooky Streets again this year and collaborate with neighbors to bring these celebrations to life," and thanked Elevate Cities.

Getting to those celebrations by train will be harder than usual in some parts of the city. The MBTA has suspended Green Line service between North Station and Babcock Street, Kenmore and Heath Street on Saturday and Sunday for signal work, with shuttle buses running to Copley and Back Bay and the Orange Line fare-free between Back Bay and North Station.

The city also used the week to look ahead to the holidays. Wu announced that Open Newbury: Holiday Stroll will return Sunday, Dec. 6, closing Newbury Street to cars from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Berkeley Street and Massachusetts Avenue, the same route as the summer Open Newbury series. If the weather is bad, the event moves to Dec. 13, according to the announcement.

The city said this year's nine Open Newbury events drew close to 100,000 participants and involved more than 100 businesses. The Holiday Stroll, launched in 2024, is now in its third year.

Parking will be restricted on Newbury Street and some cross streets starting at 6 a.m. on Dec. 6, the city said. The intersections at Fairfield, Gloucester and Hereford streets will be car-free, while the remaining intersections will stay open to traffic for public safety access and general traffic flow. Businesses are being encouraged to set up outdoor activities, pop-up parklets and other programming.

"The beauty of the holidays comes from gathering with friends and family, and through Open Newbury, we are creating another opportunity for everyone to come together, visit local businesses, and stroll along this historic street," Wu said. City Councilor Sharon Durkan, who represents the Back Bay, said she was "thrilled to see the Holiday Stroll return for a third year." Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, called it "a festive way to bring unique visitors to the corridor."

Still unknown: how many of this weekend's Play Street permits were funded by Spooky Streets grants, and which neighborhoods received the most permits.