The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval returns Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 6 to 11 p.m., filling Santa Monica Boulevard between North Doheny Drive and North La Cienega Boulevard with costumed crowds. This year the free street festival takes over a stretch of Route 66 as the highway marks its centennial.
Key Takeaways
- Santa Monica Boulevard begins closing in sections at 10 a.m. Saturday and will be fully closed to vehicles between La Cienega and Doheny by noon.
- The free WeHo Halloween Ride shuttle runs from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday, with select vehicles connecting to the Hollywood/Highland Metro B Line station until midnight.
- Citywide residential permit parking restrictions are suspended from 11 a.m. Saturday to noon Sunday.
- Alcohol, backpacks, tote bags, weapons, fireworks and drones are prohibited along the route, and the city advises leaving children and pets at home.
- West Hollywood is marking the Route 66 centennial with new “WeHo 66” roadway signage and temporary public artworks along Santa Monica Boulevard.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval Runs 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday
The Carnaval turns what the city describes as a mile of Santa Monica Boulevard into an open-air costume showcase through the heart of West Hollywood’s Rainbow District. Admission is free, and no ticket is required. A main stage with a live DJ anchors the event at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and North San Vicente Boulevard, and bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and entertainment venues across the city host their own Halloween celebrations.
The city expects tens of thousands of people. For a city of about 35,700 residents, according to the 2020 Census, that means a crowd that can far exceed the local population packed into a single corridor for one night. Rain is in the forecast for Halloween, but the city is moving ahead with the event as planned.
Street Closures Begin Hours Before the First Costume Arrives
Santa Monica Boulevard Closes in Stages
Preparing the boulevard for a crowd of that size starts well before 6 p.m. Santa Monica Boulevard between Croft Avenue and Holloway Drive and North Doheny Drive begins closing in sections at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the stretch between La Cienega and Doheny will be fully closed to vehicles by noon. Nearby side streets may close as early as 7 a.m. while crews install barricades.
Closures extend into the surrounding grid. North San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue closes from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. Robertson Boulevard, a section of North San Vicente to Cynthia Street, and La Cienega Boulevard between Holloway Drive and Melrose Avenue close through 6 a.m. Sunday. West Hollywood Park and its parking structure are closed Saturday, and the Library Garage closes at 5 a.m. Saturday and reopens at 7 a.m. Sunday.
Parking Rules Ease and a Free Shuttle Replaces Regular Service
To ease pressure on residential streets, West Hollywood is suspending citywide residential permit parking restrictions from 11 a.m. Saturday until noon Sunday. The city’s PickUp and Cityline shuttles will pause regular service and run a combined free WeHo Halloween Ride along Santa Monica Boulevard between North La Brea Avenue and North Kings Road from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday. Select shuttles will connect with the Hollywood/Highland Metro B Line station until midnight, and riders on Metro bus lines serving West Hollywood should expect route changes caused by the closures.
Safety Rules Shape the Night on the Boulevard
The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station advise attendees to leave children and pets at home because of the 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, and weapons, fireworks and drones are banned.
These rules reflect the reality of a street festival without fences or tickets. Without controlled entry gates, the city relies on clear restrictions, a visible public safety presence and transit alternatives to manage the flow of people in and out of the corridor.
The Carnaval Unfolds on Route 66 in Its Centennial Year
The boulevard the Carnaval occupies carries its own history. Route 66, which turns 100 this year, originally ended in downtown Los Angeles. A 1936 extension carried the highway west through Hollywood and along Santa Monica Boulevard toward its terminus in Santa Monica, placing West Hollywood’s main street on one of the country’s most storied roads.
West Hollywood has spent 2026 marking that connection. The city held a Route 66 Centennial Celebration at Plummer Park on August 16 and unveiled new “WeHo 66” roadway signage designed by the artist Sküt, announced for installation along Santa Monica Boulevard this fall. Through its Creative Plan, the city also commissioned temporary Route 66-themed artworks along the boulevard, including Luciana Abait’s mural “Road Trip” at 8315 Santa Monica Boulevard, Vinnie Hager’s “Path Discovery” street-pole wraps, and work by Sylke Meyer. West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica also partnered for the first time on centennial public art connecting Santa Monica Boulevard to the Pacific.
The Carnaval is not billed as a centennial event, but the overlap gives Halloween night added meaning. For generations, travelers followed Route 66 west in search of a fresh start, and for many LGBTQ+ Californians, Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood became a place to live openly. On Halloween, that same stretch fills with people celebrating self-expression in costume.
A 1987 Neighborhood Gathering Became a City Tradition
The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval began in 1987 as a local Halloween celebration, three years after the city incorporated in 1984. It has since grown into an annual gathering known for elaborate costumes, entertainment and self-expression. The city invites attendees to share costume photos on social media with the hashtag #wehohalloween.
FAQs
When is the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval in 2026?
The Carnaval takes place Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 6 to 11 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard between North Doheny Drive and North La Cienega Boulevard.
Is the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval free?
Yes. The event is free to attend, and no ticket is required.
What is the best way to get to the Carnaval?
The city recommends public transit and ride-sharing. The free WeHo Halloween Ride runs from 6 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday, with select vehicles connecting to the Hollywood/Highland Metro B Line station until midnight.
What items are banned at the Carnaval?
Alcohol, backpacks, camera cases, tote bags, weapons, fireworks and drones are prohibited along the route. Clear plastic bags are allowed.
Is Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood part of Route 66?
Yes. A 1936 extension carried Route 66 along Santa Monica Boulevard through West Hollywood on its way to Santa Monica, and the city is marking the highway’s centennial in 2026.
