The Balboa Park Carousel
National Carousel Day
National Carousel Day is celebrated every July 25 to honor one of the most whimsical and enduring forms of American amusement—the carousel.
The date marks the anniversary of the patent granted to William Schneider in 1871 for one of the first modern carousel mechanisms, making it a symbolic moment to celebrate these timeless rides.
At Balboa Park, the day carries special weight because the Dorothea Laub Balboa Park Carousel is one of the rarest of its kind in the world:
Carousel Fun Facts
Historic Significance
Built in 1910 by the Herschell-Spillman Company, it is one of the few carousels still operating in its original condition, complete with hand-carved wooden animals, original paint, and the brass ring game.
Cultural Importance
The carousel has been a cherished family tradition for generations of San Diegans and visitors. For over a century, it has been a meeting place, a first ride for children, and a lasting memory for adults.
Preservation Effort
Forever Balboa Park is actively restoring and maintaining the carousel so it can continue spinning for another hundred years. National Carousel Day offers the perfect moment to spotlight this preservation work, celebrate its progress, and invite community support.
In Balboa Park, the day is often celebrated not just with rides, but with live music, performances, and family activities—transforming it into a public gathering that honors both the craftsmanship of the carousel and its role in the park’s shared history.
National Carousel Day 2025 was proudly sponsored by
