Drivers in Lower Downtown next week may be haunted by a Halloween-themed temporary road closure outside Union Station.

Beginning Friday afternoon, the city will close the 1700 block of Wynkoop Street to cars for a week-long Halloween celebration called “Spooky Wynkoopy,” according to a Thursday news release from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Drivers will use 17th and 18th Streets to detour around the closure; the road will be reopened to traffic Nov. 1.

The closure will be part of a pilot conducted by the city to see if the space could be used for festivals and pedestrian-centered activities, according to the event’s website. The goal of next week’s festival is to gather input and feedback as to the viability of the space for future events.

“Denver is all about building vibrant, welcoming spaces where people can connect, celebrate and experience our city in new ways,” said Mayor Mike Johnston in the release. “The transformation of Wynkoop Street is a great example of how we’re reimagining our public spaces, not just for fun, but for the future. We invite everyone to come out, enjoy the festivities, and help us shape this iconic part of downtown.”

The pilot program will conclude a feasibility study conducted by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) that was prompted by talks of building a pedestrian bridge from Wynkoop Street over Speer Boulevard, a project that is expected to significantly increase the foot traffic in the area, DOTI communications director Nancy Kuhn said Thursday.

“With improvements starting in the next few months in both Skyline Park and Civic Center Park, there will be a need for more outdoor event space and the pilot data will help us determine if it’s a good fit,” Kuhn added.

In addition to traffic data that will be collected during next week’s pilot, the department worked with ride share companies to conduct all Union Station drop offs and pick ups on Wewatta Street, adjacent to the closed-off block, Kuhn said.

The block of Wynkoop chosen for the project — in between 17th and 18th Street — will close to vehicles at 2 p.m. Friday and reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, according to the release. Organized events will begin at midnight Saturday and will go until 11:59 p.m. next Friday.

The schedule for Spooky Wynkoopy, as listed on the organization’s website, is as follows:

Saturday:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Daniella Katzir Music
• 12-6 p.m. – Urban Market
• 3-6 p.m. – Nuggets Tip Off Can-ival

Sunday: 

• 10-11 a.m. – Barry’s Workout Class
• 12-6 p.m. – Urban Market
• 12-3 p.m. – Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade
• 1-3 p.m. – Vincent Wiggins Music

Monday:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Stafford Hunter Music
• 4-6 p.m. – Caitlin Brozna Music

Tuesday:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Mark Diamond Music
• 4-6 p.m. – Alec Str33t3 Music

Wednesday:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Joshua Abeyta Music
• 4-6 p.m. – Alec Str33t3 Music

Thursday:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Daniella Katzir Music
• 4:30-7:30 p.m. – BOOnion Station Trick or Treat Parade

Friday, Oct. 31:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Vincent Wiggins Music