The highly anticipated fourth season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” will premiere this Friday on the streaming service. To celebrate, Netflix is opening rifts to The Upside Down (a terrifying alternate dimension) across the globe.
The rifts will start appearing on some of the most iconic monuments around the globe on Thursday in 14 countries through 15 landmarks, including the Empire State Building in New York City; Bondi Beach in Australia; Duomo Square in Milan; Malecon Barranquilla in Colombia; the Gateway of India in Mumbai; Menara Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Al-‘Ula National Monument in Saudi Arabia; Cologne Media Park in Germany; Xbox Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles; Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland; Medborgarplatsen in Stockholm; the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao; Telefónica building, Gran VÃa 28, Madrid; and Plaza del Callao, Madrid in Spain. Other locations include Shoreditch, London, and Tokyo, Japan.
The visual spectacle and light show will be of unprecedented size and scale. Here are a few highlights of what fans can expect:
- In NYC, as dusk approaches at 8:45 pm ET on May 26, a crack will start to grow on the southern facade of the Empire State Building as a massive rift opens, transporting onlookers into the Upside Down through an incredible visual spectacle. Local fans are also invited to watch in person – for a hint at the best vantage point, study up on your local coordinates (40.7411 N 73.9894 W). Eighties vibes will be in full gear, along with a lot more surprises.
- In Milan, after the sun goes down at 9:45 pm CET on 26 May in the iconic Duomo Square, a spectacular rift will open on the facade of the historic Palazzo Carminati, allowing fans to witness the Upside Down unfolding right before their eyes. The following day, Duomo Square will transport visitors back to the 80s with throwback brand logos on display and multiple dedicated themed fan experiences.
- At Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach at 5 am AEST on 27 May, a mysterious and forbidding gateway to an alternate dimension will open up on the golden sands. The large gaping portal will appear overnight, complete with deep vines and a glowing red core. Scientists in hazmat will patrol the area while lifeguards will set up a safe perimeter around the scene.
“Eleven and her friends have captured imaginations from the very beginning and we love putting fans inside the story, taking them through the Upside Down and into an alternate reality,” said Netflix as part of the event announcement. “Whether it’s the Stranger Things Experience, or these larger-than-life rifts, we’re excited to open up the universe of the show for viewers around the globe.”
So if you live in a major city and things look a little upside down tonight, now you know why. “Stranger Things 4, Vol. 1” premieres May 27.
