Dark Karnival 2026: Halloween Rave at Matriarch

Halloween weekend is when LA's dance floors get theatrical, and Dark Karnival is one of the more committed versions. The 11th edition lands at Matriarch on Friday, October 30, with a flyer full of jesters, a ferris wheel and a creepy clown face. If you want a costume night with real music behind it, this belongs on your list of LA events this weekend once the calendar flips to late October.

When: Friday, October 30, 2026, 9 PM to 3 AM Where: Matriarch, Los Angeles Price: $22-40 depending on ticket tier Tickets: Eventbrite

Who is playing

Ten acts share the bill: Aaron Jacobs, DJ ICON, DJ Loomer, Fleetwood Smack, Red Five, Keyz, Holly Adams, Chad Rock, Ezra Luxe and K1K1. The listing tags the night as house and breaks, so expect a mix of driving four-on-the-floor sets and the syncopated, bass-heavy side of the dance floor. The party is presented by Opulent Temple, Distrikt and Loomiere.live, names that come out of the long-running Burning Man-adjacent party scene in the region.

With a lineup this deep and a six-hour window, there is room for the night to build. Early sets will likely be warmer and more melodic, and the later ones push harder. Pacing yourself is the smart move.

What to expect

The flyer sells a haunted-carnival theme, so dressing up is part of the fun. Jester makeup, clown gear, circus tailoring and plain old spooky costumes will all fit in. Comfortable shoes matter more than the outfit if you plan to stay until close. For anyone searching for raves in Los Angeles with a seasonal hook, this is a clear match for the holiday.

Check the Eventbrite page for the age policy and any dress or bag rules before you go. Ticket prices are listed as a range, so the tier you pay will depend on how early you buy.

Getting there

The venue is on the Mid-Wilshire and Koreatown stretch of Wilshire Boulevard, a corridor with plenty of rideshare traffic and some paid garages nearby. Halloween Friday means surge pricing and heavy street parking competition, so plan your ride home before the headliners start. Public transit along Wilshire is the cheaper route in, though service thins out late at night.

If you are building a weekend around it, browse more EDM events on the site for earlier and later nights, and the neighborhood guides for food near the venue before doors.