Costumes, Closures Planned For West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — A mile of Santa Monica Boulevard is set to become a Halloween street party Saturday as West Hollywood's Halloween Carnaval brings costumed revelers to the city's Rainbow District.

The free event runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday on Santa Monica Boulevard between North Doheny Drive and North La Cienega Boulevard. The city expects tens of thousands of people to attend.

A stage at Santa Monica Boulevard and North San Vicente Boulevard will host a live DJ set. Halloween celebrations are also planned at bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and entertainment venues around the city, according to West Hollywood.

The Carnaval began in 1987 as a local Halloween celebration and grew into an annual gathering known for its costumes, entertainment and self- expression. The city invites attendees to post costume photos on social media with the hashtag #wehohalloween.

Drivers should expect street closures beginning early in the day. Santa Monica Boulevard between Croft Avenue/Holloway Drive and North Doheny Drive will close in sections starting at 10 a.m. The stretch between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive will be fully closed to vehicles by noon. Nearby side streets in that area may close as early as 7 a.m. for barricade installation, the city said.

Other closures include:

• North San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday;
• North San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Cynthia Street, and Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, from 7 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday;
• La Cienega Boulevard between Holloway Drive and Melrose Avenue, from 10 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday; and
• Eastbound and westbound turn lanes from Sunset Boulevard onto southbound La Cienega Boulevard, from 10 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday.

La Peer Drive and Almont Drive will also be closed at Santa Monica Boulevard from 7 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday. Local access to both streets will remain available from Melrose Avenue.

West Hollywood Park and its five-story parking structure will be closed Saturday. The Library Garage will close at 5 a.m. Saturday and reopen at 7 a.m. Sunday. Citywide residential permit parking restrictions will be suspended from 11 a.m. Saturday until noon Sunday, officials said.

The city's PickUp and Cityline shuttles will suspend regular service and operate a combined free WeHo Halloween Ride instead. The shuttle will run along Santa Monica Boulevard between North La Brea Avenue and North Kings Road from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Select vehicles will connect with the Hollywood/Highland Metro B Line station until midnight. Metro bus lines serving West Hollywood include the 4, 10, 30/330, 105, 212/312, 217 and 218; riders should check for route changes caused by the closures.

The city and the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station advise attendees to leave children and pets at home because of dense crowds.

Alcohol and public drinking are prohibited along the route. Backpacks, camera cases and tote bags are not allowed, though clear plastic bags are permitted. Weapons, fireworks and drones are prohibited.

City News Service