West Hollywood is a city that takes pride in its eccentricity and creativity. And nowhere are those characteristics more evident than at the annual Halloween Carnaval. You won’t have to walk into Hamburger Mary’s to see drag queens. You won’t have to watch Fox News to see Donald Trump (where are they getting those orange wigs?). If you really want to stand out in the crowd, consider just wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
Carnaval officially takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. Monday on Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and Doheny. But unofficially it will launch Friday with private parties and bar events throughout WeHo, with some people celebrating through Sunday night before they hit Santa Monica Boulevard on Monday. And then there’s the Youth Carnaval on Saturday at West Hollywood Park from 2 to 5 p.m. (more information below).
Carnaval is estimated to attract as many as half a million people to this small city (population of about 35,000), which already is the 17th most densely populated in the United States. It launched in 1987 and, as the City of West Hollywood accurately describes it, “has grown into an annual gathering of phenomenal costumes, entertainment, culture and self-expression with a myriad of observers, revelers, exhibitionists and performers. People come from all over the region and even travel from domestic and international spots to take part in the fun.”
This year’s Carnaval is a celebration of the disco era and will feature DJs at several stations along Santa Monica Boulevard. The DJ’s are listed on Page 2 below. West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister and City Council members will host a brief program at 9 p.m. at the San Vicente stage located at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards to honor “Glee” star Darren Criss as King of Carnaval.
Best known for his role as Blaine Anderson on the hit television series Glee, Criss is currently starring as Hedwig in the national tour of the hit Broadway musical, ” Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” which opens at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on Nov. 1.
Criss began his career as one of the founding members of the Chicago-based musical theater company StarKid Productions, where he played the lead role of Harry Potter in “A Very Potter Musical.”
He has also starred in the Broadway production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” has had recurring roles on television’sAmerican Horror Story, “” and made his feature film debut in the comedy”Girl Most Likely.”
“West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval is always so much fun,” Meister said. “Every year I’m amazed at the creativity that people put into their costumes for the festivities. Halloween on Santa Monica Boulevard brings together people from all over the region and it’s an incredible affirmation of our community’s inventiveness and originality — it’s part of what makes West Hollywood extraordinary!”
The City of West Hollywood invites Carnaval-goers to show off costumes by uploading photos to social media sites with the hashtag #wehohalloween. There will also be photo stations at the Carnaval to capture images for display on the city’s Recreation Services Facebook page.
Below and on the pages that follow is what else you need to know about Carnaval.
Page 2 Entertainment
Page 3 Safety
Page 4 Youth Carnaval
Page 5 Street Closings
Page 6 Parking
Page 7 Public Transit
Now is a good time to start a campaign to disallow children and dogs from this year’s Halloween Carnival. I can remember very well how much more fun the carnival once was before stupid parents and dog owners imposed their little ones on the event. Let’s please revisit this issue.
The picture on top is of furries, not bears (specifically: dog, fox, fox, wolf).
SaveWeho, you are the Grinch of Halloween. Just stay home and you will be alright. There are little to no problems at this event. And I personally like seeing the families with their children, however, I do think it is not great for dogs.
@Demanik: If you gate and charge there will be a lot fewer people who attend. Its getting ridiculous now and I would venture to say downright dangerous with the volume of people. Do a similar gating to what they do for Pride & extend it a bit further one way or the other.
Cops could give a citation to anyone who got in with dogs or children.
#Save Weho: how can they gate the length of Santa Monica Blvd.? If you have a specific plan, please enlighten us.
They need to gate the festival & charge admission. That way they can keep children, dogs out and keep it 21+ and keep the alcohol in one area. The security would be easier as its impossible to control now.
Despite the complaints last year of all the children and dogs at the carnival, I have seen no attempt to put a stop to that or to at least discourage it. The Halloween Carnival is an adults-only event and is inappropriate for children, nor is it safe for them. And the idiots who bring their dogs are putting both the dogs and people in danger. The children, I’m sure, would much rather be with other children at Halloween parties, and the dogs would absolutely rather be left at home.
Yes…..alot of trouble.
Monday, found a garish orange flyer left at the gate offering to place people looking for parking on Halloween with owners of driveways willing to rent them for the night. Invitation to trouble…?