As they say, time flies when you’re having fun. So if you’ve been having fun in West Hollywood it might be time to remind you that Halloween Carnaval, the city’s single biggest event, is around the corner.
This year’s Halloween Carnaval will take place on Oct. 31 (a Wednesday) from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard.
“The City of West Hollywood’s annual Halloween Carnaval is always wonderful,” said West Hollywood Mayor John Duran. “Each year, thousands of people plan for weeks, even months, ahead of time to imagine and create incredible costumes. The joy of the crowd is endlessly entertaining and the event is a terrific reflection of West Hollywood’s creative community.”
Staged over a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard/Historic Route 66, the Halloween Carnaval will feature several areas with live DJs who will entertain wildly dressed crowds for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Mayor Duran and members of the West Hollywood City Council will host a brief program at approximately 9 p.m. at the San Vicente Stage located at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards.
The city invites Carnaval-goers to get into the spirit and show-off costumes by uploading photos to social media sites with the hashtag #wehohalloween.
In order to ensure a safe Carnaval for everyone, the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station are reminding attendees about important safety guidelines — no alcohol or public drinking will be allowed; no backpacks, camera cases, tote bags, etc. will be permitted (clear plastic bags will be allowed), and no weapons, fireworks, or drones will be tolerated. Given the size of the crowd, kids and pets are strongly discouraged. Festival-goers should remember — If You See Something, Say Something (that means call 911 if it’s something strange or worrisome).
Halloween Carnaval was launched in 1987. Each year, the event is a gathering of phenomenal costumes, entertainment, culture and self-expression with a myriad of observers, revelers, exhibitionists and performers.
Due to the Halloween Carnaval, the two dog parks at West Hollywood Park will be closed at midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 31 and will re-open at 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1. There will be street closures in West Hollywood on Oct. 31 and the morning of Nov. 1. Main closures are as follows:
— San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 31 to no later than 7 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1;
–Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Holloway Drive/Croft Avenue from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 through 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1;
–Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard and all side streets will be closed from noon on Wednesday, Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1; and
–La Cienega Boulevard will be closed between Holloway Drive and Melrose Avenue from 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1.
Additional street closure information is available on the city’s website. Due to street closures, there will be modifications to Cityline Local and Cityline Commuter routes on Halloween day — details can be found online.
The city will suspend permit parking restrictions for the Halloween Carnaval from 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 to noon on Thursday, Nov. 1. Parking meters fees will be waived citywide from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 to 2 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1. Carnaval-goers are reminded to observe the boundaries of West Hollywood. If parking occurs in the City of Los Angeles or in the City of Beverly Hills, all parking restrictions must be strictly observed. Public parking will be available at lots throughout the City for a fee; lot location and price information is posted on the city’s website.
The city encourages Carnaval-goers to leave cars at home, to carpool, or to use public transportation options. Metro offers several transit options to get to West Hollywood. A trip planner is available at www.metro.net.
The city will offer Carnaval-goers three free transit options to help get to and from the Halloween Carnaval:
–Cityline (Modified Service) — Cityline Commuter, which connects riders to and from the Metro Red Line Station in Hollywood, will run a modified route between Hollywood and Highland and Santa Monica Boulevard/Kings Road from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
–Hollywood Link (Special Cityline service to and from La Brea only) — Hollywood Link will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. between Hollywood and Highland and Santa Monica Boulevard/La Brea Avenue. (Connect to The PickUp’s Special Service from the stop at La Brea, on the south side of the street, to reach the Halloween Carnaval); and
–The PickUp (Special Service) — The PickUp will run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. along Santa Monica Boulevard and will stop at all regular eastbound stops between Sweetzer Avenue and La Brea Avenue. Once the PickUp reaches its La Brea Avenue stop, it will take an express route west toward the Halloween Carnaval via Melrose Avenue to its special Halloween stop on Kings Road/Santa Monica Boulevard.
From 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., the PickUp will only run eastbound from Kings Road/Santa Monica Boulevard to La Brea Avenue/Santa Monica Boulevard.
Additional information will be posted on the website for the PickUp at www.wehopickup.com and for Cityline at www.weho.org/cityline.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval 2018 is organized by the City of West Hollywood and produced with Authentic, a branded entertainment and experiential marketing agency that has enjoyed a successful partnership around Halloween Carnaval and other city events for many years.
that photo saying it’s “taking Dorothy for a walk” that’s not Dorothy that’s Annabelle from the horror/thriller movie that came out last year
Call 911? Making calls and sending texts proves difficult with the extra hundreds of thousands all on the same cell towers. I’ve suggested it before, but we need temporary portable cell phone towers/mobile cell sites. If there’s ever a disaster an after the fact report will conclude lack of access to cellular networks contributed to the problem.
And PLEASE leave your dog home, and know that this event is for adults and is not appropriate for children.
It’s animal cruelty to have a dog in a crowd like this, and it’s both annoying and dangerous for people.
The same is true for children, who can be injured, and they really do get in the way. Some of the racy costumes are not for the eyes of a kid who is 14 and under.
Or….don’t wear a “racy” costume. All for one…..we share this earth.
I don’t wear racy costumes. But this is West Hollywood and lots of people do. Unfortunately, the parents who insist on bringing their children are from outside WeHo, so they won’t be seeing this article and its comments, and those in charge of the Carnival don’t bother doing a campaign to inform those from outside the city what we expect of the participants. Walking through those very tight crowds and stumbling over children, and trying to get around parents who are pushing their kids in strollers is very annoying. Little kids would much rather go to parties with other kids,… Read more »