Grants will pay for neighborhood Halloween block parties in Boston

As the summer winds down and the spooky season rises from its sinister slumber, Boston residents are gearing up for Halloween fun.

A new city grant will help residents host Halloween block parties between Oct. 25 and Nov. 3. Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office of Civic Organizing announced the inaugural Spooky Streets grants, which will provide $250 for block party hosts to buy party supplies like candy, pumpkins, decorations, and face paint. The initiative is part of the city’s Block Party Grant Program. 

“Spooky Streets are a fantastic way to bring neighbors together, build a stronger sense of community, and enjoy the Halloween and Harvest season,” city officials said on the grant’s website. 

To be eligible, all block parties must be free and open to the public and held on the street where the applicant lives.

Residents interested in organizing a Spooky Streets block party can apply for a Play Street Closing Permit to temporarily shut down through traffic on their block. According to the city’s website, the permit doesn’t allow grills, alcoholic drinks, food trucks, carnival rides, street vendors, amplified music, stages or risers, petting zoos, or inflatable structures like bouncy houses.

The permit does, however, allow partygoers to play games like foursquare and double-dutch, participate in activities like sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles, have a potluck and serve free food, and arrange chairs, tables, and small tents or other easily moveable items. 

City officials said residents must apply for the permit at least four weeks before the block party and fill out the Spooky Streets grant application, which is a separate form. The deadline to apply is Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.

Residents interested in applying for the grant can do so and learn more about the program on the Spooky Streets web page.