Close your street. Keep it weird. Throw a block party.
Shutting down your block is easier than you think — the hard part is the people, the timing, and the money. This is the playbook: the City of Austin permit steps, a real 3-month timeline, donation scripts that work, and a theme generator to make it gloriously your own.
Five moves, in order
Do them roughly in this sequence. The timeline page breaks each one into dated checklists.
Build your crew
Poll the block, recruit a 3–5 person committee, pick a date + rain date, and choose who holds the money.
Lock the street
Collect 60% of households' support, notify everyone, and file your City of Austin block-party permit.
Fund & book it
Send donation asks to local businesses early, line up sponsors, and book entertainment and rentals.
Promote & staff it
Flyers + online invite everywhere, get into the newsletter, and turn RSVPs into volunteers.
Host & wrap up
Run the day, keep monitors at each end — then break down, return gear, and write thank-yous.
Everything you need, in four places
3-Month Timeline
A week-by-week order of operations with checklists for every phase, from first text to final thank-you.
Austin Permit Guide
Exactly how to close your street with the City: steps, signatures, fees, and what's allowed vs. not.
Theme Idea Generator
Type your theme and get curated decoration, activity, food, and vendor ideas — Austin-flavored.
Templates & Scripts
A donation email that actually works, a sample budget, day-of schedule, and a cleanup checklist.