What to Know
- Santa Monica Pier
- June 29 and 30
- 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
When you think of the 1980s, whether you glowed brightly during that neon-lit decade or arrived after the era's lights had dimmed, you probably believe a lot of carnivals went down, like, all the time.
Because, at least in the films of the decade, there were constant carnivals and boardwalks and ride-filled festivals, from "Something Wicked This Way Comes" to "The Lost Boys" to about a hundred horror flicks.
Thus it feels right, and rightly weird, that a strange show like "Stranger Things" should also get into that blinky-light, calliope-music'd vibe of the decade.
And so it shall, for Netflix is launching season three of the fantastical phenom with a weekend-long carnival at Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier.
That's correct: Hawkins, Indiana is popping up next to the Pacific Ocean, on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30.
Weird and wonderful and waffle-y amazing, when you think about it.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
Also waffle-y wonderful? It's free to get in. Sweeeet.
Fans can seek out The Curiosity House, which "... offers a Stranger-fied fun house experience," or the Scoops Ahoy ice cream truck, or the Hawkins Bike Shop, where a fan could win Max's BMX.
Cover bands rocking those quintessential '80s-flavored classics, eating contests, performances by cheerleaders straight from Hawkins High, and other amazing sights, sounds, and experiences will fill out the fictional world.
A fictional world made real for two delightful, through-the-looking-glass days.
Rad.
You won't have long to wait for this gnarliest of pop-ups, however. Was it a coincidence that Netflix revealed the SoCal-based season 3 celebration eleven days in advance?
Eleven days. Think about it.
As for when you can catch season three? The on-screen pyrotechnics of the most paranormal sort begin on Thursday, July 4.
Keep an eye on the "Stranger Things" social world for more on the Fun Fair. Oh, and if you're in New York? The carnival is calling upon Coney Island over Fourth of July Weekend.
Truth? The '80s energy is burning as brightly as a tube of blue neon as the summer of '19 begins.
