West Hollywood Carnaval celebrants

Perhaps you’re new to the planet and haven’t heard of that distinctly L.A. celebration: the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. Be warned that it’s  rather like stepping into Fellini’s “Satyricon” film. But it’s actually pretty good theater as tens of thousands of Halloween revelers — many in costume — flock to the streets for the 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. event.

Also worth a warning: The Carnaval results in some amazingly horrible traffic, as Santa Monica Boulevard between Doheny and La Cienega is closed and cars and buses must snake  slowly through and around.

So Go Metro to get there (lots of buses travel near) but take note of bus detours, made necessary by street closures.

Here’s a rundown:

Metro bus detours will start at noon Saturday, Oct. 31. Lines will return to regular service at 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. In particular, Metro lines 4, 704, 10, 105 and 305 will be affected.

East/west Metro Lines 4 and 704, along Santa Monica Boulevard, and Line 10, on Melrose Avenue, will be detoured onto Beverly Boulevard west of Fairfax. North/south Metro Line 105 on La Cienega Boulevard will travel only as far north as Santa Monica Boulevard and Line 305 on San Vicente Boulevard will detour via Doheny Drive between Beverly and Sunset boulevards.

For more information on Carnaval, call (323) 848-6503 or visit the website at weho.org/halloween. To find out how to get there via Metro, go to the Trip Planner at metro.net or call 1 (800) COMMUTE.

Consider yourself warned.