Each year nearly a half a million people gather on the stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard to gawk at each other For the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival. It’s the ultimate people watching event.
The City of West Hollywood touts the annual festival as “The center of the Halloween universe.” Having experienced the event each year for more than 10 years, I am not one to dispute this dubious claim.
Festivities begin at 6pm on October 31 and last until 11pm, although the party unofficially continues in the clubs until 2am.
There are various food vendors throughout the Boulevard. Several stages also dot the landscape, featuring live entertainment and DJs to keep the crowd on its feet. Music acts alternate from year to year and can range from 80s one-hit wonders to major headliners such as Pink. Don’t forget to check out the pumpkin carving contest, as well.
As with any event of this size, it is always wise to plan ahead. Here are a few tips:
Carpool, walk or take a shuttle: Have a plan of action to get in and out of the West Hollywood area. For WeHo locals, walking is often the most efficient route, but those who must drive should check out the City of West Hollywood website for information on parking, event shuttles and road closures. Forget about cabs. There are not enough to go around and you may find yourself stranded for hours, especially at the end of the night.
Dress warm/Wear Comfortable shoes: It often gets chilly at night and the lines for the bars and restaurants are often worse than Disneyland, making it hard to get inside to warm up. Pavilions at Santa Monica Boulevard at Robertson Boulevards is a good haven to pick up a quick bite or drink if all other options are too crowded. Expect to walk further than anticipated and dress accordingly.
Bring a phone with a camera: With so many people and so much to gawk at, it’s easy to get separated from friends. Keep a phone nearby to reconnected and capture all of the action.
Leave the kids at home: Although there are some activities for the wee-ones, this is one Halloween party primarily for the grownups.
