WeHo Halloween Carnaval expected to attract 500,000 revelers

West Hollywood officials say Halloween festivities, including multiple live performances and an appearance by Queen Latifah, are expected to attract 500,000 revelers to the city’s annual celebration Thursday night.

“There will be hundreds of thousands of people in amazing costumes enjoying themselves,” West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land told The Times.

The West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval this year will take over Santa Monica Boulevard, from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard. The event, which will run from 6 to 11 p.m., has been a city tradition since its inception in 1987. This year’s theme: “Noir Night.”

“1950s Noir underscored a classic era for West Hollywood lifestyle and culture -- a place where Bogart and Lana Turner became entangled, and where Keystone Kops and the first paparazzi graphic photographers staked their claim,” an announcement from the event’s organizer said.

The event will have several stages spread out along Santa Monica Boulevard featuring more than 50 artists who fit in with the theme.

Artists and perfomances include 21-year-old Jonathan Allen of “America’s Got Talent,” DJ Moses Truzman and the band Vaud & the Villains.

Queen Latifah will also be crowned honorary “Queen of the Carnaval.”

“There will be people to watch, places to dance and food to be had,” Land said.

Land said city officials were discouraging attendees from bringing dogs or small children due to how crowded the event gets.

Parking will be available in public lots throughout West Hollywood, but Land said attendees should be prepared for heavy traffic.

Street closures will be in full effect on San Vicente Boulevard between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica, which will be closed all day and reopen at 7 a.m. Friday.

Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny and La Cienega, including side streets, will close at noon Thursday and reopen Friday at 6 a.m.

Robertson Boulevard, between Melrose and Santa Monica, as well as Almont Drive and La Peer Drive, from Santa Monica Boulevard to Melrose, will be also closed at the same time.

Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and Holloway Drive/Croft Avenue will be closed from 4 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday, as will La Cienega between Sunset and Santa Monica boulevards.

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