West Hollywood's (In)Famous Halloween Carnaval Suits Up

There are Halloween parties… and then there is the Big Pumpkin, the West Hollywood Costume Carnaval, the mother of all frightfests.  Now in it’s 22nd year of promoting controlled and creative mayhem in the streets of West Hollywood, the Costume Carnaval is known for epic costumes, vast crowds and full-throttle frivolity.

To make room for this monstrous bash, the city will close Santa Monica Blvd. between Doheny Dr. and La Cienega Blvd. The witching hour begins at 6 p.m. and rolls into the dead of night. New this year is an array of live music acts, contortionists, aerialists, stilt-walkers, DJs and illusionists who will perform on stages scattered throughout the event. And how much do we love that Right Said Fred, those purveyors of trite, narcissistic jingles like “I’m Too Sexy” will be on-hand to perform material from their new album.  (We’re not sure if this is a sign of a pending apocalypse, but it should be fun). 

And speaking of fun, since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, crowds should be bigger and more boisterous (if that’s possible) than usual. It also gives you the option of making a weekend of it, since West Hollywood and neighboring Hollywood are throwing some great parties this year.  Following is our Scary Shortlist. Boo!

Trashy Lingerie’s Annual Halloween Costume Ball 2009 –  This year’s ball features The Trashy Girls dancers with special performances by Darling Stilettos with Matt Sorum. Saturday, October 31, 2009 7:30 PM at Key Club (9039 W. Sunset Blvd.) in West Hollywood. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m. and the party starts at 8:30 p.m. Call 310-274-5800 to make dinner reservations or visit www.trashygirls.com for more information.

Dearly Departed, Hollywood’s Tragical History Tour – Revisit Hollywood scandal and celebrity death in the famous Dearly Departed “Tomb Buggy” on Hollywood’s Tragical History Tour. The tour visits the Hollywood locations of macabre murders and sensational deaths. Hear the stories that immortalized River Phoenix, Janis Joplin, The Black Dahlia and Bella Lugosi, among many others. The three-hour tour explores more than 100 scenes of Hollywood death daily in October. Visit www.dearlydepartedtours.com for more info.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Historic Walking Tour – Hollywood Forever is perhaps the most star-studded of cemeteries, featuring mausoleums, exhibitions, monuments and gardens. Legends Cecil B. DeMille, Johnny Ramone and Jayne Mansfield are among those buried at Hollywood Forever. On October 31, celebrate Halloween on hallowed ground. Beginning at 3 p.m., the Hollywood Forever Cemetery offers a two-hour walking tour through the labyrinth of historic final resting places. Admission is $12 per person; reservations are not required.

Hotel Specials
If you plan on partying to a zombie-like state, book a room! The following hotels are offering special Halloween packages:

Le Parc Suites Hotel Halloween Bed and Breakfast Package for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, October 30, 31 and November 1 (two night minimum required) for $245 per night plus tax. Includes a stay in a king suite and breakfast for two, served in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant – or delivered to your suite. Click  here to book, then click on “reservations,” enter dates of arrival and departure and enter the code: HALLOWEEN in the promotions box.

The London West Hollywood has rooms available for Halloween weekend starting from $199 per night, double occupancy (based on availability). Book here. The hotel will invite guests staying at the hotel on Halloween to a special “Witching Hour” event at the poolside bar, featuring Halloween-inspired cocktails and appetizers at discounted prices (guests only). Sunday morning-after, the hotel’s Boxwood Café is offering a “Recovery Brunch” from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., highlighting seasonal harvest flavors and featuring a special Bloody Mary bar. Price is $50 per person which includes three courses plus a cocktail of choice from our special “Bloody Bar” featuring various Bloody Marys, Bloody Caesars and other bloody-good drinks. Reservations are recommended: 310-358-7788 or via the web.