70 Nashville streets close for Halloween

More than 70 roads in Nashville will close Saturday night to facilitate trick-or-treating. The Tennessee Department of Transportation, or NDOT, issued these permits, a number that is nearly double the amount granted in the previous year. NDOT published an interactive map showing specific blocks where closures will occur. The map uses dots to mark locations where residents have applied for street shutdowns.

Residents on 12 South have closed their streets for this holiday for more than a decade. Kara Jacobs purchased her home on the street eight years ago. She recalls being told that the annual event was a major community tradition. Jacobs stated that the closure allows families with young children to walk freely without worrying about passing traffic. She described the scene between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. as filled with large groups of people.

Jacobs, who has a five-year-old daughter, said she walks the street each year to document the crowds. She noted that the volume of visitors is difficult to explain to others who have not seen it. She expressed no concern about her daughter running across the street, citing the familiarity among neighbors on the block.

Adriana Moniodes, who lives across from Jacobs, hands out candy to at least 800 children annually. She described the closed street as a safe zone for children to move around. Moniodes explained that drivers often use the street as a shortcut to 8th Avenue when it is not closed. She said the closure allows parents to participate in the event while ensuring children can navigate the neighborhood safely. She added that many visitors tell her they traveled from other parts of the city specifically to access this safe area.

Jonathan Liles compared the event to a large block party. He noted that the street shuts down completely and many neighbors decorate their yards. Liles said both children and parents participate in the activities. He described seeing friends chasing each other across the street. Liles expressed hope that more neighbors will join the celebration this year.