West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval 2026

West Hollywood does Halloween bigger than almost anywhere, and the city's Halloween Carnaval is the proof. Every year Santa Monica Boulevard turns into a mile-long runway for thousands of people in wildly inventive costumes, and the 2026 edition lands on Halloween night itself.

If you are sorting through things happening in Hollywood and the surrounding neighborhoods this October, this is the one most people have heard of. It is free to attend, which makes it an easy yes.

When: Friday, October 31, 2026, 6 PM to 11 PM Where: Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood Price: Free

What to expect

The carnaval is staged along Santa Monica Boulevard, which is also Historic Route 66. A stage at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and N. San Vicente Boulevard anchors the night with a live DJ set, and food trucks line up along the route so you can eat without leaving the party.

The real show is the crowd. People come in homemade creations, elaborate group costumes and full-on character builds, and the fun is as much about walking the route and stopping for photos as it is about the music. The city invites everyone to share their looks on social media with the hashtag #wehohalloween.

Bars, restaurants and entertainment venues across West Hollywood also run their own Halloween celebrations that night, so you can duck out of the street for a drink and head back in. If you are looking for things to do in Los Angeles on October 31, you can build a whole evening around the strip.

Planning your night

This is a street event with thousands of attendees, so plan for crowds and a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes under that costume, and bring ID if you plan to go into any bars. Closing times and street closures are set by the city, so check the City of West Hollywood's Halloween Carnaval page before you leave for the latest details.

Parking near the boulevard fills up and many nearby streets close to traffic. A rideshare drop-off a few blocks away or public transit is usually the saner choice, and it keeps the end of the night easy.

The festival runs from 6 PM to 11 PM, so arriving early gives you room to wander before the densest part of the crowd builds. For more, browse our festivals listings, and see what else is on across Hollywood.