Ultimate NYC Block Party Guide

Have you seen videos of communities that celebrate together, putting long tables together and inviting absolutely everyone who lives nearby? Have you wondered how you could pull off such an event, and whether it is legal or not? Read on to find out exactly how you can legally and safely throw the ultimate New York City block party for your family and friends. 

What is a Block Party?

The official definition of a block party is a community-sponsored event where no goods or services are sold, that continues for only one day and spreads over only one block. Block parties got going during the second world war when young men were being sent off overseas: their families and neighbors would get together for a meal – each family bringing along a dish or two – to celebrate their courage in signing up, or in accepting the draft. It was a happy, cheerful time, one that the young man could reflect on while on the battlefield – a reminder of happier times and of home. Today block parties can be held for any number of reasons, from celebrating the return from abroad of a child whose been traveling (hire a limo or party bus to bring them to the celebrations in style – click here for cheap party bus hire NYC) to the birthday of the oldest resident to a first generation college graduate scoring their degree. 

What are the Rules and Regulations?

Because there are so many people living in the five boroughs of New York, there are quite strict rules about how a block party should play out. First of all, sixty days’ notice of the party must be given to the borough authority, along with the approval of all the neighbors. This is because roads are closed to keep the block partiers safe, and this could inconvenience a neighbor who has not been pre-warned about the event. To emphasize this, permission must be given for the party by your local block authority or tenants’ association – and if you don’t have one of those, you will have to start one up! The majority of your tenant’s association must agree with the idea of holding a block party – without this agreement, your block party is probably dead in the water. The party should be free to the neighbors – save the dishes or snacks that they contribute – and no businesses should be involved at all. If a business is involved, then the permit is a completely different one! 

Once you have an agreement for your party, offer a range of dates to the authorities: it is possible that your preferred date clashes with another event for which the roads need to be clear, and if they are not given several dates to choose between, they may just turn down your permit. 

The permit will cost $25.00 and must fall under the aegis of your tenant’s association – individuals cannot apply on their own. The party, as mentioned above can run for a maximum of nine hours, but must end by 8pm, with the roads clear and ready to use again by 9pm, no matter what time the festivities began. 

How to Host a Block Party

Hosting a block party for your entire block will most likely be beyond any one person, so it is best to get plenty of friends and neighbours on board with your plans: delegate tasks to people who can be trusted to carry them out properly without needing to be nagged; and make sure that there is a core committee who all know what is going on. A party can easily fall apart if the single person supervising it falls ill or is called away without letting someone else know the processes and procedures! Source tables and chairs, and make sure that everything is clearly labeled so it can be returned later. 

Finally, once everything comes together on the day – remember to enjoy yourself! After all, a block party is a celebration of community and togetherness.