A little reason to celebrate
National Ferris Wheel Day
Fun · History · February 14
A day for the Ferris wheel, the slow, turning ride that lifts passengers high above fairs, piers and city skylines for a wide view.
National Ferris Wheel Day falls on Sunday, February 14, 2027. That is 110 days away.
A Ferris wheel is a large upright wheel with passenger cars hung from its rim. As it turns, the cars stay level, so riders rise in a long, gentle arc, pause near the top and come back down where they started.
The ride is named for George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., an engineer who built a giant wheel for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It drew crowds, and the idea spread to fairs, amusement parks and waterfronts across the country.
Part of the appeal is that nothing much happens, and that turns out to be the point. There are no drops or loops. You sit, the ground falls away, and the noise of the midway fades a little. At the top the view opens up over rooftops, rides and parking lots, and for a moment everything below looks tidy. Some people find the height thrilling. Others hold the rail and look only at the horizon. Both count as riding.
Wheels come in many sizes. Small portable ones travel with carnivals and are bolted together for a weekend. Larger fixed wheels stand on piers and in city parks, often lit at night so they can be seen from far away. Some have open benches that swing slightly. Others have enclosed cabins with windows on every side.
The best seat is usually the one that stops at the top while people load below. That pause is where most of the photos get taken.
Ways to celebrate
- Ride a Ferris wheel at a local fair, park or pier.
- Watch a lit wheel turning after dark from the ground.
- Look up photos of large Ferris wheels around the country.
- Sketch a Ferris wheel and its hanging cars.
- Read about how Ferris wheel cars stay level as they turn.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, February 14 |
| 2027 | Sunday, February 14 |
| 2028 | Monday, February 14 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, February 14 |
| 2030 | Thursday, February 14 |
All national days on February 14
Also on February 14
Categories: Fun daysHistory days