Ever wanted an Open Street in your neighborhood? Why not host a block party — it's easier than you think! Block parties are simple ways to bring safer walking, biking, and playing to your community. Open Streets are designed to stir the imagination and remind us that our streets can have a multitude of uses. Now it's even easier to achieve this in your neighborhood!

Check out the Open Streets Nashville Community Guide & Toolkit to get started. 

We're here to help!

We've compiled a list of what you'll need and additional resources below, but we know it's sometimes easier to talk things through. If you'd like to talk through your plans for your Block Party, schedule a 1-on-1 with Calah, our Open Streets Assistant Manager.

If you're hosting a neighborhood open street for Halloween 2026, stop into our virtual office hours for help (details below).

What you'll need:

  1. An idea. Fall fest, game night, you name it — anything fun will do!
  2. A block outside your house or apartment, church or community gathering spot, or favorite organization. 
  3. Friends to help you organize (and at least one emergency contact).
  4. Signatures from your neighbors. You need approval from two thirds (66%) of residents in neighborhood houses fronting the closure. 
  5. A block party permit. How-to is included below. 
  6. Traffic Control Plan. This is a simple map of your street that lays out where your barricades and signs will go. Available online
  7. Barricades to close the streets. Cones, signs, and household items will work.
    In need of supplies? Check out NDOT's Open Streets Sign Share to request materials.
  8. Spread the word! You're hosting the coolest party in the neighborhood!

Office Hours for Halloween 2026

We'll host virtual office hours to help you plan out a perfect Halloween-themed Block Party on October 12, 14, and 16 from 12-1 p.m. These are drop-in hours, so there's no need to stay the whole time. Click here for a link to join the meeting.

Resources 

Here are some resources to get you started:

Permit walkthrough video (7 minutes) Calah, our Open Streets Assistant Manager, talks you through the permit process.

NDOT block party Traffic Control Plan A simple map of your street that lays out where your barricades and signs will go.

Link to permit site We recommend watching the walkthrough video (above) before starting your application. 

Signature sheet template You can collect signatures this way, or on your phone or paper. As long as you get correct names and addresses and can connect it to your permit application, you're good-to-go.