Why Santa Monica Pier's Ferris Wheel Will Go Dark This Week

SANTA MONICA, CA — Typically an unmistakable beacon towering 130 feet above the ocean with its 174,000 LED lights, the Santa Monica Pier's Ferris wheel will be noticeably darker for one hour Saturday night.

The Pacific Park Ferris wheel is "going dark" from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday as part of the 19th annual Earth Hour. Known as "The Biggest Hour on Earth," the movement encourages people to switch off their lights at home and monuments to darken their beacons to show support for the planet and raise awareness awareness of environmental issues.

Participants are also encouraged to spend the hour doing something positive for the planet.

On the pier, the Pacific Wheel will be lit up during Earth Hour only with its wheel-rim safety lights, according to Pacific Park.

“At Pacific Park, sustainability is at the heart of what we do — from our solar-powered Ferris wheel to our award-winning grassroots initiatives. We are dedicated to being an environmentally responsible company by collaborating with our city, engaging our community, and partnering with national and international organizations,” said Nathan Smithson, director of marketing and business development at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Pacific Park has proudly supported Earth Hour from the start, believing in its powerful message and global efforts to promote sustainability, climate action, and environmental awareness.”

The Pacific Wheel will join other landmarks worldwide in "going dark," including the Eiffel Tower, the Parthenon, the Great Wall of China, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Sydney Opera House.

After debuting in 1996, the Pacific Wheel was adapted as the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel two years later. The park in 2011 also introduced the world's first wind-powered amusement park game, the High Striker, according to Pacific Park.

The park received Santa Monica's “Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment” award at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Awards.

Learn more about Earth Hour here.

The Pacific Park Earth Hour event will be streamed live on its website.