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Arts & Entertainment

Street Closures For West Hollywood's Carnaval

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It's Halloween, which means around a half-million people are expected to descend upon West Hollywood tonight for the annual Carnaval. This means lots of costumed revelry, but also a potential logistical hassle for people trying to join in or merely driving by.As usual, silly string will not be allowed at Carnaval, and this year they are enforcing a new rule that says only clear plastic bags will be allowed. According to the city, there will be "no backpacks, camera cases, tote bags, etc."

This year's celebration celebrates the disco era, and takes place on Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny Drive and La Cienega Boulevard. It officially runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday night, but street closures are already in effect:

  • San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed until 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • Santa Monica Boulevard between North Doheny Drive and Holloway Drive/Croft Avenue will be closed until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • La Cienega Boulevard will close to north/south traffic at 4:00 p.m on Monday, October 31.
  • All alleyways between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed until no later than 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 12 p.m. on Monday, October 31, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • Almont Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 12 p.m. on Monday, October 31, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • La Peer Drive between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 12 p.m. on Monday, October 31, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Cynthia Street will be closed from 12 p.m. on Monday, October 31, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • La Cienega Boulevard between Holloway Drive and Melrose Avenue will be closed from 4 p.m. Monday, October 31, to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
  • Sunset Boulevard eastbound/westbound turn lanes onto southbound La Cienega Boulevard will be closed from 4 p.m. on Monday, October 31, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1.

Getting There

West Hollywood will suspend all street parking restrictions from 11 a.m. on Monday until noon on Tuesday. This covers both permit parking and meters. However, keep in mind this is only applicable within West Hollywood city limits. There are also plenty of lots around town where you can park for a fee.

Since driving there and parking will be unquestionably awful, you may want to look into getting there via public transit. Via the City of West Hollywood, they'll be running free shuttles to help you get to Carnaval, including two lines that will take you to-and-from Hollywood and Highland:

1. CityLineX (Modified Service) — will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Hollywood and Highland to Santa Monica Boulevard/Sweetzer Avenue. 2. Hollywood Link (Special CityLineX Service to La Brea Only) — will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. from Hollywood and Highland to Santa Monica Boulevard/La Brea Avenue. (Connect to The PickUp’s Special Service from the stop at La Brea to reach the Halloween Carnaval).

3.The PickUp (Special Service) — will run from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. along Santa Monica Boulevard and will stop at all regular eastbound stops between Sweetzer Avenue and La Brea Avenue. Once The PickUp reaches its La Brea Avenue stop, it will take an express route west toward the Halloween Carnaval via Melrose Avenue to its special Halloween stop on Kings Road/Santa Monica Boulevard. From 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., The PickUp will only run eastbound from Kings Road/Santa Monica Boulevard to La Brea Avenue/Santa Monica Boulevard.

Additional information is posted on the website for The PickUp at: www.wehopickup.com.

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