The West Hollywood Annual Halloween Parade is a must-see for those who have never been.
West Hollywood became an incorporated city within Los Angeles County in 1984 and three years later the parade started.
This parade is the world's largest Halloween party attended by over 450,000 people, making it the sixth largest city in California for that night. West Hollywood has around 39,000 residents! The parade is also Los Angeles' second largest event after the The Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1st.
What started as a gay and lesbian event has blossomed into one attended by peoples from all walks of life.
A one-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega and Doheny is blocked off and the area becomes a sea of people. Parking in the area is extremely difficult and, if you are claustrophobic, this is not the place for you.
The week preceding is filled with free events. Among the highlights:
October 22nd - Annual Pet Halloween Costume Contest - West Hollywood Park at 10.00 a.m. Goldfish are included.
October 28th in the evening - Second Annual Drag Race and Pageant. Sneakers are not allowed. You must run in 2" heels. For the pageant there will be prizes for best hair, best pumps, most outrageous, etc. Picking the most outrageouls will be difficult, since most of the costumes are!
On October 31st, there will be the 19th Annual Carnaval and costume contest. A king and queen will be crowned. Don't worry about gender. Last year Ryan Seacrest was crowned Queen!
The Parade takes place between 6:00 p.m. to midnight, but probably reaches its peak around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.
I encourage you to attend. It is an experience you will not forget!
Parking and Shuttle Information
Public Parking for the West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval will be available at the following locations for a $15 fee:
Kings Road Parking Structure
8383 Santa Monica Boulevard
Corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Kings Road
West Hollywood Park Parking Lot
647 N. San Vicente Boulevard
Near San Vicente Boulevard and Melrose Avenue
El Tovar Lot
8750 El Tovar Place
Near Melrose Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard
Parking at the following venue will be available for $20:
Pacific Design Center
8687 Melrose Avenue
Between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue
The City of West Hollywood will be offering a CityLine service on Halloween during the usual hours of 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The route will operate along Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Fuller Avenue.
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I have been to Costume Parade in West Hollywood many times. What a party! Probably not the best place to take the kids!
I know, Mark. Probably should have mentioned that it is not for the faint of heart also. :)
Hi Jane,
It eppear that an interesting event, I will try to attend it. Thank you for sharing it.
John Pusa
You are most welcome John. As I mentioned, it is a must see at least once.
What a hoot! I can only imagine that this Parade is a great night for people watching - obviously my life here is very dull and boring compared to anything like this, Jane! Are you going to brave the crowds and go this year?
Sounds like one great party. And the Drag Race and Pageant...woo hoo...sounds like Clay's Corner New Year's Miss Possum Drop Contest. For those of us that won't be able to attend, you'll have to let us know how it was.
I'll go if you come, Mary. I have been 3 times. That's enough for one person.
Lee & Carol, the possum drop sounds like something I could easily miss. And, also, I could easily miss the parade after going 3 tiems. But newbies should definitely go. It is absolutely amazing. You cannot tell the men from the women.
Hi Jane, I won't be able to make it this year, but who knows, maybe next year !
I look forward to that. It is a sight to see.
Okay Jane. I guess you can only see so many men with harry legs in a dress and heels and then it becomes a little boring. It's always about the people watching :)
Believe me, guys, these men's legs are not hairy. You absolutely cannot tell the men from the women. It is a sight to be seen. They go all out.