Enter the Upside down where the Demogorgon resides — and ride a few rides — this weekend at the Santa Monica Pier for a Stranger Things experience.
On June 29-30 visitors will find the pier’s parking deck filled with Stranger Things experiences like a slime-filled dunking booth, The Hawkins Bike shop, a Demogorgon-filled curiosity house and the ice cream truck from Scoops Ahoy which is slated to feature in this upcoming third season.
The park’s state-of-the-art lighting system will illuminate the entire park with a red glow to keep the Stranger Things vibes going. The Pacific Park wheel will be transformed to the Hawkins Wheel and the Playland Arcade will be transformed into the Hawkins’ Play Arcade. This event will also feature live entertainment from the Hawkins High School Cheerleaders, 1980’s cover bands and food eating contests.
“It’s not often we theme out so much of the Pier and Park,” says Kristin Wasiluk, Senior Events Manager at Pacific Park, that teamed with Netflix and Lead Dog Marketing for the event. “This will be a real treat to all Pier guests and fans of the show.”
Pacific Park’s hours this weekend are 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Tickets for individual rides range from $5-$10 and Unlimited Wristband — allowing guests unlimited rides of all 12 park rides — are $17.05-$31.45 online or $18.95-$34.95 at the ticket booth.
Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York is set for a similar Stranger Things makeover that will be highlighted by the Hawkins 4th of July Spectacular Fireworks Show. Coney Island’s Ferris wheel, Thunderbolt, Tilt-a-Whirl, Bumper cars and Carousel will all get a taste of 1985 Hawkins, Indiana.
After debuting in 2016, Stranger Things has garnered 31 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. More than 15 million people viewed the second season of Stranger Things on Netflix within the first three days the second season aired.
