Coit Tower “The Candle” Laser Show (July 14-16)
San Francisco’s Coit Tower will light up the San Francisco skyline this weekend (July 14-16, 2023), thanks to 10 laser space cannons beaming up from atop the iconic structure.
Created by arts non-profit Illuminate, the three night installation named “Candle” (#CoitCandle), will officially begin when darkness falls on Friday night (estimated time: 9:20 pm). It will continue from sunset to sunrise for three nights through Sunday.
On tap for the Friday lighting ceremony will be members of the SFFD Command staff and some of their fire equipment on site at Pier 23 Cafe. Coit Tower was erected to honor San Francisco firefighters and Illuminate is honored to announce that SFFD is bringing fire equipment to the public celebration.
Coit Tower Lasers
July 14-16, 2023 | Sunset to Sunrise
Coit Tower, San Francisco
FREEGrand lighting, Friday, July 14, 2023 at 9:20pm – Viewing Party at Pier 23 Cafe starting at 7:30pm
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“Candle” is the third of four “Summer of Awe” laser installations from Illuminate and its partner Nu-Salt Laser International, each designed to energize and mesmerize the city by creating extraordinary art using lasers in the city’s most iconic locations. The artist of record for all “Summer of Awe” installations is Karl the Fog, although we expect him to be absent this weekend.
The series kicked off on Pride weekend with WELCOME, a 4.1-mile laser Pride flag directly up Market Street to Twin Peaks, the world’s largest. The Summer of Awe series continued last weekend with loveAbove, which featured 12 lasers shooting directly up from the base of Sutro Tower to celebrate its 50th birthday.
What’s Next? Fairmont to Grace Cathedral
The series will close July 27-29, 2023 with “Window,” a projection of lasers from atop the Fairmont Hotel, directly into the famed “Rose Window” at Grace Cathedral.
“San Francisco is the City of Awe,” said Illuminate’s CEO Ben Davis. “Our Summer of Awe series is designed to lift spirits locally while allowing San Francisco to shine in the eyes of the world.”
Longtime family owned and operated Pier 23 Cafe is hosting a press event for the lighting ceremony. They are also extending their hours and inviting the public to come and enjoy an unobstructed view of Coit and the San Francisco city skyline starting at 7:30pm Friday for what will surely be a city-wide viewing party.
Final details on the official lighting at Pier 23 will be available Friday. Illuminate will also distribute a viewing guide to identify the best viewing locations to experience the exhibit.
Illuminate is a San Francisco-based arts nonprofit that creates large-scale works of public art across the city. Illuminate’s work is always free and open to the public.
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