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Halloween Carnaval fills the streets of West Hollywood

Updated  October 31, 2024 11:32pm PDT
West Hollywood
City News Service

WeHo Carnaval: SoCal celebrates Halloween

Every year West Hollywood comes alive on Halloween for the annual Carnaval.

The Brief 

    • West Hollywood's Halloween Carnaval started at 6 p.m. Halloween night.
    • Several street closures were in effect Oct. 31.
    • The popular Carnaval began in 1987.

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of dressed up partygoers descended on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood Thursday evening for Halloween Carnaval 2024, an annual event that extends from the streets to bars and restaurants throughout the city.

Billed as "one of the most unique Halloween gatherings in the world," the free Carnaval began on a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard.

The carnaval featured a stage at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards with a live DJ set and food trucks.

As in the past, alcohol and public drinking were not permitted along city streets, and backpacks, camera cases or other bags were also not be allowed, though clear plastic bags were OK.

WeHo's annual Halloween Carnaval tonight

Halloween Carnaval is free to attend and will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2024 on a one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard.

West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval returns

The party continues in West Hollywood for the return of Halloween Carnaval. Law enforcement patrolling the event gave FOX 11 two thumbs up when it came to crowd behavior.

Weapons, fireworks and drones were also banned, and children and pets are "strongly discouraged" from attending, according to city officials.

The Halloween Carnaval ran annually from 1987 through 2019. In May 2020, the West Hollywood City Council approved the cancellation of all major special events in the city through the end of the year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2021 and 2022, the city encouraged entertainment venues and businesses to offer "alternative" Halloween experiences.

But the Carnaval made a triumphant return in 2023.

The city suspended its residential parking restrictions from 11 a.m. Thursday until noon Friday. West Hollywood Park's five-story parking structure will be closed Tuesday. City officials warned people to be aware of where they are parking because parking restrictions will remain in effect in neighboring Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

The event will also prompted street closures that impacted many motorists' morning commutes. The following closures will be in effect:

  • San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to no later than 7 a.m. Friday;
  • all alleyways between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to no later than 7 a.m. Friday;
  • Santa Monica Boulevard between Croft Avenue/Holloway Drive and Doheny Drive from 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday;
  • La Cienega Boulevard between Holloway Drive and Willoughby Avenue from 10 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday;
  • San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Cynthia Street from 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday;
  • Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday;
  • La Peer Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday;
  • Almont Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue from 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday; and
  • Sunset Boulevard eastbound and westbound turn lanes onto southbound La Cienega Boulevard from 10 a.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Friday.

Details on the Halloween service are available online at wehopickup.com.