Nashville to close 70 streets for Halloween as NDOT permits double

More than 70 roads in Nashville will be closed to traffic on Saturday night for Halloween trick-or-treating.

The Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) issued nearly twice as many Open Streets permits this year compared to last year. The agency released an interactive map showing the specific locations of these closures. The map uses dots to indicate where residents have requested street closures for the holiday. Users can zoom in on the map to view the block-by-block details of the blocked roads.

In recent years, the city has seen a rise in residents applying to close streets for the evening. Last year, NDOT issued a smaller number of permits. This year, the volume of requests has increased sharply. The department's data shows the current number of closures is nearly double the previous year's total.

Residents in the 12 South neighborhood have used street closures for Halloween for more than a decade. Kara Jacobs, who purchased her home eight years ago, said neighbors told her the holiday was a major event in the area. She noted that the closures allow families with young children to walk freely without worrying about passing vehicles. Jacobs said the street is crowded between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. She takes photographs each year to show the scale of the crowds. She said she does not worry about her 5-year-old daughter crossing the street because the neighbors know each other well.

Adriana Moniodes, who lives across the street from Jacobs, said she hands out candy to at least 800 children every year. She described the closed street as a safe space for children to move around. Moniodes said drivers often use the street as a shortcut to 8th Avenue when it is open. She said the closures allow parents to feel comfortable letting their children roam the neighborhood. She noted that many visitors travel from other parts of the city specifically for the safe environment created by the closed streets.

Jonathan Liles described the event as a large block party. He said the street is shut down and many neighbors decorate their yards. He said both children and parents participate in the activities. He said friends are often seen chasing each other across the street. Liles said he hopes more neighbors will join in the celebration next year.

The closures are scheduled for October 31. NDOT's map remains the primary tool for residents to check for traffic disruptions in their area. The department will enforce the closures during the evening hours to allow for safe trick-or-treating.