West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval is back, back, back again! Movie monsters, pop star lookalikes, and elaborate group costumes will take over Santa Monica Boulevard for the city’s annual Halloween celebration. With Halloween falling on a Saturday, it’s the perfect excuse to turn a night out into a weekend away, complete with rooftop parties and Sunday brunch.
The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval returns on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is free, with no ticket required, and the party fills Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Doheny Drive and N. La Cienega Boulevard in the Rainbow District. The mile-long celebration draws more than 100,000 costumed revelers.
First held in 1987, Carnaval has grown from a neighborhood celebration into a tradition that draws visitors from across the region and around the world. Its appeal is still wonderfully simple: a city giving everyone a reason to dress up and show off.
Members of West Hollywood City Council with 2025 Carnaval attendees.Photo Credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
Friday night starts with disco
The sequins come out a night early at The Hustle: 70’s Disco Halloween. White Rabbit Sky Lounge, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, hosts the Orlove by Night party on Friday, October 30, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The soundtrack takes its cue from Donna Summer and ABBA. Costumes are encouraged, and the party is 21+. Get tickets for the weekend’s first night out.
The Lucky Tiki adds a little mystery to Friday’s drinks. Hidden above Tail o’ the Pup in The Doors’ former recording space, the tropical lounge serves The Ghost of Jim Morrison, a rum cocktail with a suitably spooky name.
A little shopping, a little tea
Saturday’s costume reveal can wait until sundown. Spend a few daylight hours browsing boutiques along Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard in the West Hollywood Design District.
For a little ceremony before the chaos, start Saturday with Coffee & Chill: Halloween Edition at 1 Hotel West Hollywood, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Juniper Garden. The Yard leads a run, followed by coffee, cold plunges, music, recovery experiences, snacks, and drinks. Or keep it classic with afternoon tea at The London, served Saturdays and Sundays with reservations required. One outfit for tea, another for Carnaval.
West Hollywood Chamber board member David Wood.Photo credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
Saturday night belongs to Carnaval
The Rainbow District is where that costume finally gets its big moment. A DJ stage at Santa Monica Boulevard and N. San Vicente Boulevard keeps the music going, with food trucks on hand for a bite between dances.
Skeleton and clown costumes bring a spooky touch to West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval. Photo credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
The stage is only part of the show. Elaborate group costumes and gloriously over-the-top solo looks turn a walk down the boulevard into an evening of people-watching.
Performers onstage at the 2025 Carnaval.Photo credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
Keep the night going
On Saturday, October 31, the nightlife stretches from Santa Monica Boulevard to the Sunset Strip. Some doors open while Carnaval is still in full swing, giving the evening a mix of street spectacle, live music, and rooftop dancing.
Halloween at White Rabbit Sky Lounge
At The Valorian, 8440 Sunset Boulevard, Orlove by Night’s Halloween party takes over from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event is 21+, with costumes encouraged. Reserve your party tickets for a night above the Sunset Strip.
Haunted Hotel Halloween at Hotel Ziggy
Hotel Ziggy, 8462 Sunset Boulevard, gets a Halloween makeover on Saturday, October 31, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. DJs, costumes, photo moments, Halloween cocktails, immersive décor, and surprises fill the hotel. Reserve tickets.
Down the Rabbit Hole at Harriet’s Rooftop
At 1 Hotel West Hollywood, 8490 Sunset Boulevard, Harriet’s Rooftop heads down the rabbit hole from Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1, from 5 p.m. to close. Curious cocktails and playful surprises bring a little Wonderland to the Sunset Strip. Follow the White Rabbit.
The SEXY Halloween Party at the Roxy Theatre
Tiffany Norwood hosts a night of music, drinks, and treats at 9009 W. Sunset Boulevard. Doors open at 10 p.m. for the 21+ party. Costumes are optional; masks, face coverings, toy weapons, and costume props are prohibited. Tickets are available through AXS.
Halloween Party with DJ Brown Mamba at the Troubadour
The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard, turns into a dance party with DJ Brown Mamba, with doors at 7 p.m. Admission is free and first come, first served. The party is 21+. It’s a chance to spend Halloween dancing in one of the city’s most storied music rooms.
Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton at Whisky a Go Go
Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton bring the Deathwish Blues Tour to 8901 Sunset Boulevard, with doors at 7 p.m. The bill also features Indio Downey, Bloodbelly Blues, and Zakk DeBono. The ticketed show is open to all ages.
Closer to the Carnaval route, Micky’s Halloween Pass covers its celebration, including the after-hours event. The 21+ club is at 8857 Santa Monica Boulevard, and the wristband must be picked up at Micky’s before October 31.
A DJ at the 2025 Carnaval.Photo credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
Make it a staycation
West Hollywood’s 21 hotels give you plenty of ways to make a staycation of it, from suites near Melrose’s boutiques to a Sunset Strip room with rooftop revelry upstairs.
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
The London’s spacious suites come with private balconies and deep soaking tubs. After a night on the boulevard, complimentary breakfast for hotel guests and a morning by the rooftop pool sound especially good.
1 Hotel West Hollywood
At 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Halloween can move easily from a daytime reset at Coffee & Chill to a late-night stop at Harriet’s Rooftop. It is an easy Sunset Strip base when the elevator ride home is the shortest part of the plan.
Chamberlain West Hollywood
Chamberlain sits on a residential street one block off Sunset, with suites offering private balconies and fireplaces. The rooftop pool is made for a lazy afternoon before a night at the Strip’s music clubs.
Le Parc at Melrose
Le Parc puts you near Melrose Avenue’s boutiques, with suites that have living areas and private balconies. Kitchenettes in select categories are handy for a quiet breakfast before a morning of browsing. There’s room to spread out when you return with a few shopping bags.
Make it a two-night escape, from Friday, October 30, to Sunday, November 1. Explore hotels and book your West Hollywood stay, then let the group chat get back to the important business of costumes.
An elevated view of Halloween Carnaval on Santa Monica Boulevard.Photo credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
Brunch and a slower Sunday
By Sunday, November 1, the costume can take a well-earned break. There’s brunch at Casa Madera from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or a slower start over breakfast at your hotel. Then wander into Book Soup, the independent bookstore at 8818 W. Sunset Boulevard. A new book makes a good souvenir when your camera roll is already full.
At STORIES: The AIDS Monument in West Hollywood Park, audio guides share the experiences of people and communities affected by HIV and AIDS. Admission is free, and a visit offers a moment to pause and listen.
A few details for the night out
Clear plastic bags are permitted at Carnaval; backpacks, totes, and camera cases are not. Alcohol and public drinking are prohibited on the street, along with weapons, fireworks, and drones. The City strongly discourages bringing children or pets.
Street closures make the parking hunt especially tricky. Walking, rideshares, and public transit are useful options. The official Carnaval page has transportation information and links to route and closure updates. A physical government-issued photo ID is essential for the 21+ parties.
An attendee receives a kiss on the cheek at the 2025 Carnaval. Photo credit: City of West Hollywood/Jon Viscott
Whether it’s a staycation or an out-of-town escape, book your West Hollywood stay and make Halloween a weekend worth dressing up for.
Share your Carnaval photos with #wehohalloween, and tag @wehocity and @visitweho. See you on Santa Monica Boulevard.
