Independence Day Ferris wheel lighting at the Santa Monica Pier

Published on July 1, 2025

The Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel will be lit red, white, and blue on Tuesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 6 in recognition of Independence Day 2025.

Independence Day in the United States is celebrated annually on July the 4th and commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the monarchy of Britain and were united, free, and independent states.

Pacific Park will join other area landmarks in lighting red, white and blue for the week and the Pacific Wheel will display a 90ft tall, animated American flag.

This special lighting event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 6. The Ferris wheel lights can be seen from dusk until 11:35 PM each evening. Enjoy watching the light program online at www.pacpark.com/live.

WHAT:
Special Lighting of the Pacific Wheel for Independence Day 2025

WHEN:
Tuesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 6
dusk (around 8 PM) to midnight

WHERE:
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

 

See the lights from home at www.pacpark.com/live.

Pacific Park regularly programs the Ferris wheel to display seasonal programing and themed light designs for holidays and special occasions. The Pacific Wheel’s state-of-the-art lighting package was installed in 2016 and can display over 1.6 million different colors and animate patterns and icons in 24 frames per second. The energy efficient LEDs on the face of the Ferris wheel are powered by solar arrays inside Pacific Park. The light programs are curated and designed by Pacific Park staff. Each design is manually animated; some designs can take hours of programming. The aim is to provide fun, high-energy, and sometimes whimsical designs to entertain guests on the Santa Monica Pier and surrounding beaches.

 

---

Feature image courtesy of @kissvana