Grants Offered to Boston Residents for Halloween Block Parties

Boston residents have the chance to receive a mini-grant from the city to help fund Halloween block parties.

The grant opportunity -- dubbed the Spooky Streets Grant Program -- was announced by Mayor Michelle Wu and the Community Engagement Cabinet's Office of Civic Organizing. Residents who apply and are approved will receive $250 to purchase party supplies, including candy, pumpkins, decorations, face paint and more. The proposed block parties are meant to be family-friendly and provide a safe atmosphere for children.

Mayor Wu said in a statement, "We’re working to make Boston the best place in the country to raise a family. These spooky streets block parties provide safe, fun, and festive opportunities for our families to celebrate Halloween with their neighbors, and that is why we’re making it easier for everyone to apply for a grant. I can’t wait to see the costumes, decorations, and community gatherings this coming fall!"

The Spooky Streets Grant Program is an expansion on Boston's Block Party Grant Program. Nathalia Benitez-Perez, the Director of the Office of Civic Organizing, said in a statement, "We're thrilled to expand our community-building efforts through the Spooky Streets Grant. Since launching our Summer Block Party Grant initiative in 2023, our office has been dedicated to creating more opportunities for residents to connect and activate their streets. With the Spooky Streets Grant, we hope to support even more events, bringing fun and traffic-free streets to Halloween and Harvest gatherings."

Since the launch of the Block Party Grant Program last year, the Office of Civic Organizing has issued 54 grants totaling $31,500 in 14 Boston neighborhoods.

Boston residents can apply beginning today (Sept. 9) to the Spooky Streets Grant Program at OnlinePermitsAndLicenses.Boston.gov. The deadline for applying is Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 PM.

In order to be approved for the grant, the block party needs to be free, open to the public and hosted on a public street. (Grants will not be issued to parties taking place in parks or private lots.) The proposed block party must take place from Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 3. Despite the "Spooky" name, these block parties are not required to be Halloween-themed.

While some activities may require additional permits, the City of Boston will allow potluck food and the use of tables, chairs and 10' by 10' tents without additional permits.

Complete details on the grant program can be found at Boston.gov/Spooky-Streets.