The Ultimate Guide to Hollywood Carnival – Celebrate with Stars!

What is carnival in Hollywood?

During carnival, Hollywood transforms into the epicenter of multicultural marvels. The Hollywood Carnival is all about promoting a deeper appreciation and understanding for different culture’s amongst the Los Angeles community. The Hollywood Carnival embraces and celebrates the different cultural traditions through food, dance, art, craft, music and costumes. 

Hollywood Boulevard transforms into a street extravaganza carnival with parade-goers, masquerades and musicians all dressed in incredible costumes dancing the weekend away to music from around the world like soca, reggae, samba and more.

Thousands of locals and tourists come out to experience Hollywood Carnival which is a fun day for the whole family. And because this is Hollywood, you will even see appearances from several popular celebrities! Including tv stars, movies stars and musical icons.

When is the 2020 Hollywood Carnival?

The 2020 Hollywood Carnival will be held from Thursday 18th June 2020 until Sunday 21st June 2020. The Parade of the Bands will take place on Saturday 20th June 2020.

Where is the Hollywood Carnival?

Hollywood is a neighborhood that is located in the center region of LA. It is west and northwest of Downtown Los Angeles. Of course most people know of Hollywood because it is home to many U.S film industries and historic studios.  The hub of Hollywood Carnival is the Carnival Village.

Carnival Village Address

6800 Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, LA 90028

Carnival Culture Village

Carnival Village Opens: Saturday June, 20th, 2020 | 12:00pm -9 :00pm

The Carnival Village is the hub for the Hollywood Carnival. It is an explosion of cultural fusion that features a Grand SoundStage that has a variety of performers from all over the world. As well as delicious food, drinks, Arts & Crafts vendors from all over the world. There is also a dance area, a liquor garden and facilities.

Hollywood Carnival Parade

The Hollywood Carnival Parade is an incredible event that features performers, dancers and musicians. The streets are filled with masquerades dressed in the most stunning costumes representing different cultures from all around the world, celebrating Los Angeles’ multicultural community. It is a lively and vibrant event that will attract thousands of spectators who crowd along the parade route.

The masquerades are dressed up in the most beautiful, colourful and magnificent costumes lighting up the streets. The costumes are adorned with jewels, feathers, headdresses, wings and come in all colours of the rainbow.

The music pumps out and grows louder as the parade approaches. It is a dance of non-stop music, dancing and rum drinking. The revellers are having the time of their life and the parade is the epitome of people uniting and living in the moment.

This day is all about having fun! Dance, jump up, wave your flag, enjoy yourself! Carnival is the ultimate celebration of happiness and life. And remember what happens in the parade, stays at the parade! 

Hollywood Carnival Parade Route

The Hollywood Carnival parade route will begin at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Normandie Avenue. The parade will continue for 3 miles and finish on Highland Avenue at the Carnival Village.

▷ What is playing mas?

When it comes to celebrating Caribbean Carnival, you can either just be a spectator and watch the parades, or you can choose to join in and be part of the fun! When you choose to join in it is called playing mas.

For those not familiar with Carnival in the Caribbean if you want to play mas you have to join a masquerade band. It isn’t possible to just show up in a beautiful home-made costume and join the parade. You must select a mas band you want to be part of, wear their costumes and dance through the streets together with your chosen band.

To have the best time at Hollywood Carnival don’t just be a spectator! Absolutely find a mas band that you want to be part of, then sign up and join the party!

Hollywood Carnival 2020 Carnival Bands

Can I be a part of the Hollywood Carnival? Yes of course you can! The best way to enjoy Hollywood Carnival is to join in and play mas! There are several carnival bands that you can take part in and each offer their own unique carnival experience. All you have to do is pick a mas band, buy a costume and march with your band on the day.

The 2020 Hollywood Carnival Bands are:

• Bambo Mas: Email: missjotrini@yahoo.com
• Utopia Mas band: Instagram: @utopiamasband Email: utopiamasbandphx@gmail.com
• Mirage Mas: IG: @mirage_mas, Email: mas17@gmail.com
• Winery Mas: Email: contact@winerymas.com, Instagram: @winerymas, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winerymas
• Sistas Wit Style:  Email: sistas_wit_style@yahoo.com
• Inde Junction Mas: Instagram: @indejunctionmas, Facebook: facebook.com/indejunctionmasband/. Email: info@indejunctionmas.com

▷ How to choose a Mas Band for Carnival? 

Well that’s a difficult decision because you have so many good options.  Maybe you will select your band based on their costumes with some groups wearing very sexy costumes, and others being more conservative.

Obviously, money can be a big factor when choosing to play mas and honestly if you are on a tight budget then you probably won’t play mas. But then again it is the ultimate Carnival experience.

Each Mas Bands are all inclusive and you will not just get your costumes but also food and drinks, bathrooms, security, medical services, and whatever else you may need for your carnival experience.

Honestly though it doesn’t matter which band you pick because you are bound to have the time of your life!

▷ Mas Band Costumes

Jamaica Carnival is all about costumes and the ones that you will see here are hands-down stunning. They are top-notch Caribbean Carnival Costumes with lots of feathers, bling and bright colours. They are elaborate creations that take months of preparation to create. After you’ve chosen your band you then need to select your costume.

Your options range from full frontline costumes to basic backline costumes. A basic backline costume will often just be a bikini, jewelled headpiece and a few other accessories. You can often upgrade by purchasing a feathered headpiece or backpack.

The full frontline costumes usually include a wire bra, giant headpiece, backpack, arm and leg pieces and all the accessories. The frontline costume wearer leads the mas band and are the more expensive and elaborate costumes.

What’s included with your costume? including everything associated with the band including DJ’s, speakers, trucks, other masquerades. There is also top shelf alcohol which is unlimited, snacks and meals, mobile restrooms, medical aid and security.

While most people play mas in costume, you can also join a band without it. Some carnival bands have a t-shirt mas section. This means that they sell a package that gives you a branded t-shirt and wrist band. This is the least expensive option, but you will also get the same unlimited access to food and amenities, just minus the feathery costume.

What to wear to Hollywood Carnival?

Hollywood Carnival is one of LA’s most legendary events. A celebration of cultures from all around the world.  The parades are colourful AF, with women dressed in colourful and elaborate feather headdresses and bejewelled bras. You don’t need to dress like the people in the parade but why not wear some playful pieces that will help you stand out from the crowds. It’s the time to let your imagination one wild and get creative and wear something fun, you can check out some cool outfit ideas on Amazon. Remember though to wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet all day long! 

How to get to the Hollywood Carnival?

There is plenty of public transportation that you can catch to get to the carnival or alternatively take a Lyft, Uber or local taxi. If you are not a local you can always fly to LAX which is a massive airport that has lots of both international and domestic flights daily.

Where to stay for the Hollywood Carnival?

Los Angeles is a huge tourist destination so you have no shortage of accommodation options! From hotels to private rentals it really comes down to your budget and level of comfort. Of course if you wish to be close to the carnival we recommend staying in Hollywood.

Check out some accommodation options here.

For more information about tours, things to do, sightseeing tours, day trips and more click here. For a longer tour check out Tour Radar here.