Best trick-or-treating in Manhattan
- Sat, Oct 31 Halloween 2026
- 5:30–8:30 PM Typical hours
- 9 streets Picked by locals
- Live reports Oct 31, 3 PM to midnight
Local picks, not guaranteed. Skip houses with the lights off, stay on sidewalks, and call 911 in an emergency.
Not live yet. Live candy reports switch on Sat, Oct 31, 3 PM to midnight
Streets ranked by local sources
- 1
West 78th Street (Columbus–Amsterdam)
Upper West SideA Columbus-to-Amsterdam block on the city's car-free Trick-or-Streets list, a long-time Upper West Side favourite.
🚧 Car-free Sat, Oct 31, 4–9 PM (Amsterdam to Columbus Ave). NYC DOT Trick-or-Streets list (2026)
Named by 4 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 2
East 78th Street (Park–Lexington)
Upper East SideFor decades this has been the Upper East Side's go-to trick-or-treat block. In 2026 its car-free hours are Friday, Oct 30, 1–8 PM, not Halloween night.
🚧 Car-free Fri, Oct 30, 1–8 PM (Lexington to Park Ave). NYC DOT Trick-or-Streets list (2026)
Named by 4 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 3
West 21st & 22nd Streets (9th–10th Aves)
ChelseaFamilies meet at Seal Park (Clement Clarke Moore Park) around 6 p.m. and then walk the brownstone blocks by the General Theological Seminary.
🕔 From about 6 p.m.
Named by 4 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 4
West 69th Street
Upper West SideA block tradition since 1971: the brownstones go all out on decorations, and thousands of kids come.
🚧 Car-free Sat, Oct 31, 6–8 PM (Broadway to Central Park West). NYC DOT Trick-or-Streets list (2026)
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 5
East 92nd Street (Park–Fifth)
Carnegie HillGhoulish townhouse decorations. In 2026 the block is car-free only 4–5:30 PM; cars are back for evening trick-or-treating.
🚧 Car-free Sat, Oct 31, 4–5:30 PM (Park to Fifth Ave). NYC DOT Trick-or-Streets list (2026)
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 6
Strivers' Row (W 138th–139th Sts)
HarlemBrownstone stoops hand out candy. In 2026 the city closes only West 139th Street, 3–8 PM.
🚧 Car-free Sat, Oct 31, 3–8 PM (West 139th St only, Frederick Douglass to Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd). NYC DOT Trick-or-Streets list (2026)
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 7
West 95th Street (CPW–Columbus)
Upper West SideReaders say the decorated brownstones hand out candy.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 8
West 90th Street (Columbus–Amsterdam)
Upper West SideA good brownstone block that is less busy than West 69th Street.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 9
East 94th Street (Park–Lexington)
Upper East SideThe townhouses and doormen on this block hand out treats.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
1 more street is waiting for a second source. Know a good one? Tell us about it.
Plan your night
- 5:53 PM Sunset on Oct 31
- Forecast Appears here about a week before Halloween
A walking loop to start with
- West 78th Street (Columbus–Amsterdam) Upper West Side
- West 69th Street Upper West Side
About 0.4 mi of walking in total, always to the nearest next street. Start around sunset and stay on sidewalks.
Getting there
- West 69th Street is on the 2026 city list: car-free from Central Park West to Broadway, 6–8 p.m. on Oct 31. It gets very crowded that night, so you may want to see the decorations in the days before.
- On the Upper West Side, start between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. with toddlers. By about 7 p.m. the brownstone blocks can be too packed for a stroller.
- Keep little ones away from Sixth Avenue during the 7 p.m. Village Halloween Parade. The Washington Square Park and West Village side streets are calmer.
Sources: West Side Rag (2025) · New York Dearest · Mommy Poppins (2026)
Streets where neighbors pledged candy
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We show street totals only, never which houses. Giving out candy? Pledge your street.
Trunk-or-treats, shop trick-or-treating and parades
Public events at public places. Check the organizer’s page before you go.
- Parade
Village Halloween Parade
- 7:00 PM
- Sixth Avenue, from Canal St north to W 15th St
- Cost: see event page
A huge after-dark parade (2026 theme: Body & Soul). It gets crowded and is best for older kids.
NYC Village Halloween Parade (2026) ↗ - Parade
Hippo Playground Halloween Parade
- 3:30–5:30 PM
- Riverside Park (Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument to Hippo Playground)
- Cost: see event page
A daytime parade for costumed kids. No reservation needed.
Club Free Time (2026) ↗
Running a trunk-or-treat or shop trick-or-treating? List your event, free.
Live on one of these streets and want it off the map, or see something wrong? Tell us. We act within 24 hours. Safety tips: printable checklist.
Halloween night kit
- Glow sticks & braceletsDrivers see kids from far away.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Kids' flashlightDark sidewalks, uneven steps.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Reflective tapeStick it on bags and dark costumes.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Trick-or-treat bucketLight-up ones double as a light.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Non-food treats (teal pumpkin)An option for kids with food allergies. Check for latex and small parts.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Candy in bulkFor the porch. Full-size bars win.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Halloween games
The Haunting of Hollow HouseA Halloween murder-mystery party in a book, for 6 to 12 players. Nothing to print.See on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Whodunlist: The ReunionOne giant word-search mystery: 1,960 guests, 12 clues, 1 lost friend. Large print.See on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Whodunlist: The Christmas PartyFind the Secret Santa among 1,225 guests. A puzzle for the night after Halloween.See on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Manhattan trick-or-treat FAQ
Where is the best trick-or-treating in Manhattan?
Locals name West 78th Street (Columbus–Amsterdam) (Upper West Side), East 78th Street (Park–Lexington) (Upper East Side), West 21st & 22nd Streets (9th–10th Aves) (Chelsea) most often.
What time is trick-or-treating in Manhattan in 2026?
Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2026. Most blocks run from dusk, around 5:30 PM, to about 8:30 PM. West 21st & 22nd Streets (9th–10th Aves): From about 6 p.m..
Which Manhattan streets close to cars for Halloween 2026?
From the city's 2026 list: West 78th Street, Saturday, October 31, 4–9 PM (Amsterdam to Columbus Ave); East 78th Street, Friday, October 30, 1–8 PM (Lexington to Park Ave); West 69th Street, Saturday, October 31, 6–8 PM (Broadway to Central Park West); East 92nd Street, Saturday, October 31, 4–5:30 PM (Park to Fifth Ave); Strivers' Row, Saturday, October 31, 3–8 PM (West 139th St only, Frederick Douglass to Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd).