Monáe Draws Crowd as Fishboy at Santa Monica Pier

Janelle Monáe performed at the Santa Monica Pier on Halloween weekend as The Amazing Fishboy.

The singer and actor launched the 2026 edition of her Wondaween Festival: Creature Carnival with a costume reveal and a live musical set. She appeared in a dramatic Fishboy look before taking the stage. The performance took place beneath operating roller coasters, with cars moving overhead during the show. Creatures roamed the carnival grounds throughout the evening, creating an immersive atmosphere for attendees.

Monáe has used Halloween as a platform for theatrical transformation in previous years. In prior celebrations, she appeared as Cat in the Hat, The Mask, and E.T. These earlier outfits relied on extreme special effects makeup and facial prosthetics to alter her appearance. She is known for blending music, fashion, and character work into her public appearances. The Wondaween Festival extends this style to a full event format.

The 2026 festival continued a partnership with BACARDÍ, which returned for a second year as the official spirits partner. The collaboration introduced a signature cocktail called the BACARDÍ Spookito. Organizers described the drink as a version of a classic Mojito with a splash of grenadine added for a frightful twist. The menu also included themed cocktails such as the Creature of the Night Lemonade, the Pina-Ghoul-Ada Spritz, and the BOO-BARDÍ & Cola. These drinks were served from bars built specifically for the evening and placed around the carnival grounds.

Other performers kept the music going after Monáe’s set. Shaun Ross, DJ Millie, and Nana Kwabena appeared on the lineup. The festival offered carnival food and full access to the pier’s rides. Guests could ride the attractions in costume, drink themed cocktails, and listen to live music in one location. The event served as a kickoff to Halloween weekend in Santa Monica.

The festival’s growth is reflected in its expanded programming and brand partnerships. The combination of branded cocktails and an immersive environment defines the current iteration of the event. Monáe’s approach to public appearances treats each moment as a performance, and Wondaween is a central example of that method.