If you find yourself in Los Angeles on Halloween and you don’t mind braving extraordinary crowds, the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval will be one of the most memorable times you’ll have on Halloween. It’s the craziest costume party I’ve ever been to.
The event is held annually on October 31st and attracts nearly 500,000 revelers, who are dressed in some of the most creative, outrageous costumes you’ll ever see. The festivities are held on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard from 6:00-11:00 pm. There is no admission charge.
This year’s theme is 1950s Hollywood-inspired “Noir Night.” There will be live entertainment on six stages, each with different themes, and over 50 artists performing. The highlight of the evening will be a showcase of costumes and the crowning of an Honorary “Queen of the Carnaval.”
Public parking is available, as follows:
City Hall Parking Lot ($20.00 fee)
8300 Santa Monica Boulevard
Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Sweetzer
Kings Road Parking Structure ($20.00 fee)
8383 Santa Monica Boulevard
Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Kings Road
La Jolla/Havenhurst Lot ($20.00 fee)
1046 Havenhurst Drive
Santa Monica Boulevard and Havenhurst Drive
La Peer Lot ($20.00 fee)
623 La Peer Drive
Melrose Avenue and La Peer Drive
Orange Grove Lot ($20.00 fee)
1114 N. Orange Grove
Santa Monica Boulevard and Orange Grove Avenue
Pacific Design Center ($20.00 fee)
8687 Melrose Avenue
Between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue
Queens Road Parking Lot ($20.00 fee)
8459 Sunset Blvd
Corner of Sunset Boulevard and Queens Road
Spaulding Lot ($20.00 fee)
7718 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica Boulevard and Spaulding Avenue
Sunset Lot ($20.00 fee)
8775 Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard and Horn Avenue
901 Hancock Parking Structure ($20.00 fee)
901 Hancock Avenue
Santa Monica Boulevard and Hancock Avenue
For more information on the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, call the Halloween Carnaval Hotline at (323) 848-6503.
If you don’t want to brave the traffic, the City of West Hollywood offers a free party shuttle called “FrankenRide” that will stop at all Metro bus stops along Santa Monica Boulevard from Fuller Avenue to Croft Avenue, starting at 6:30 pm and will run about every 15 minutes until 1:00 am. Call (323) 848-6510 for more information.