Griffith Park's Merry-Go-Round Gallops for National Carousel Day

The historic ride will offer free activities and a raffle, too.

What to Know

  • Saturday, July 27
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Free balloon animals and face painting; rides additional

Some of the most fanciful conversations you'll ever have will involve what makes one ride a carousel, by definition, and what makes another attraction a merry-go-round.

There's no need to whinny, or even neigh, if your friend takes an opposite stand on the topic than you. For some say there's no marked difference between merry-go-rounds and carousels, while some claim the difference is in the direction that the ride turns, or even if one ride has just horses and another boasts horses and other animals.

It's rich conversation fodder, and one you can talk about as you and your friend go round-and-round on the merry-go-round found at Griffith Park.

This is the fabled and decades-old delight that thousands of Southern Californian kids have enjoyed over the years, and the ride that helped to prompt the idea of Disneyland in Walt Disney's mind, or so it is said.

It's a merry landmark worth celebrating, whatever the date, but July 27 happens to be just two days after National Carousel Day.

To honor the holiday, the Griffith Park attraction will offer some free family-cool things to do in the morning and over the noon hour, like games, face painting, and the making of balloon animals. 

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Rides aren't free, so bring a few dollars for a spin or two.

And, as you ponder the whole merry-go-round vs. carousel question, ponder this: How will this glorious revolving wonder mark its centennial in just seven short years?

No horsing around: This sweet merry-go-around is a local treasure. Stop by and visit again, if you haven't seen it since you were a tot. Or keeping going with your own tots, who surely adore such a charming outing.

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