SF’s New 100-Foot Sea Serpent “Naga” Grand Lighting Celebration (Golden Gate Park)

A giant, glowing sea serpent named Naga is surfacing in Golden Gate Park – and he’s here to stay a while.

Originally created for Burning Man 2024, Naga & The Captainess is a 100-foot-long, 25-foot-tall serpent made of over 5,000 shimmering scales and lit from within. Installed in the weirdly green water of Rainbow Falls Pond (yes! There is a man-made waterfall) near JFK Promenade about 700 feet east of Transervse Drive on San Francisco’s Golden Mile.

The whimsical sculpture is set to become the largest public art piece in the history of the park.

The project is a collaboration between local artists Cjay Roughgarden, Stephanie Shipman, and Jacquelyn Scott, with support from arts nonprofit Illuminate, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and a crew of over 250 volunteers. On occasion, Naga even blows bubbles from his nose – just in case he wasn’t magical enough.

More than just a sculpture, Naga is the first part of a larger immersive experience still in progress. Plans include a sculptural shipwreck seating area, interactive treasure chests, and a watery street mural meant to inspire connection and play.

Two free public events are planned to celebrate the installation:

Welcome Naga: Family-Friendly Celebration
Mermaid Parade, Landlubber Jibber-Jabber, and More
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10a-Noon

Naga Grand Lighting: Evening Celebration
Music, Dancing, and More Landlubber Jibber-Jabber
Monday, July 28 2025 | 7:30-9:30p

Rainbow Falls Pond, Golden Gate Park [Map]
JFK Promenade btwn 19th and 20th, just north of Blue Heron (formerly “Stowe”) Lake Boathouse

The total budget for preparing and installing the piece is $400,000. More than 80 percent of that amount has already been raised, and organizers are seeking public donations to cover the remaining $55,000.

 

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