West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval – Everything you need to know

WEST HOLLYWOOD – Perhaps the mother of all monster mashes, West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval, takes place Monday, when a parade of ghouls, goblins and gruesomes will descend on Santa Monica Boulevard for the annual evening of fright and frolicking.

WeHo officials estimate 500,000 revelers will jam the streets in their flamboyant, extravagant and ghastly costumes. The party officially lasts from 6 to 11 p.m., but horny hobgoblins will no doubt begin their trick or treating this weekend.

In preparation for the fright fest of fun, here’s a survival guide for Monday’s shindig.

The Carnaval

The event will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. Monday on a 1-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard. The event is free, but bring money for the street vendors selling food and drinks. Most, if not all, of the bars will be charging a cover. Be prepared for long lines.

No kids or pets

People are discouraged from bringing pets and children due to the due crowds. Also, don’t bring strollers. This suggestion should be obvious.

Street Closures

Main Closures:

  • San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from midnight Monday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
  • Santa Monica Boulevard between North Doheny Drive and Holloway Drive/ Croft Avenue from midnight Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday
  • . La Cienega Boulevard between Holloway Drive and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 4 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday

Additional Closures:

  • All alleyways between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from midnight Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday
  • The following streets will be closed from midnight Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday:
    • Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue
    • Almont Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue
    • La Peer Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue
    • San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Cynthia Street

Parking

The City of West Hollywood will suspend permit parking from 11 a.m. Monday to noon Tuesday.

Parking meters will be waived citywide from 6 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Carnaval-goers need to observe the boundaries of West Hollywood. If parking occurs in Los Angeles or  Beverly Hills, those parking restrictions will be enforced.

Public parking for the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval will be available at the following locations for a fee:

Kings Road Parkibng Structure ($20)
8383 Santa Monica  Blvd.
EV charging stations

La Jolla Lot ($20)
1044 La Jolla Ave

Orange Grove Lot ($20)
1114 N. Orange Grove Avenue

Pacific Design Center ($20)
8687 Melrose Avenue

Queens Road Parking Lot ($20)
8459 Sunset Blvd.

Spaulding Lot ($20)
7718 Santa Monica Blvd.

Sunset Lot ($20)
8775 Sunset Blvd.

901 Hancock Parking Structure ($20)
901 Hancock Ave.

Palm Lot ($1.50 per hour at pay station)
815 Palm Ave

West Hollywood Gateway ($12)
7100 Santa Monica Blvd.
Open 24 hours

About the author

Phillip Zonkel

Award-winning journalist Phillip Zonkel spent 17 years at Long Beach's Press-Telegram, where he was the first reporter in the paper's history to have a beat covering the city's vibrant LGBTQ. He also created and ran the popular and innovative LGBTQ news blog, Out in the 562.

He won two awards and received a nomination for his reporting on the local LGBTQ community, including a two-part investigation that exposed anti-gay bullying of local high school students and the school districts' failure to implement state mandated protections for LGBTQ students.

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