Coachella's Iconic Ferris Wheel Rises Again

The annual assembly of the festival's most recognizable attraction takes a skilled team and specialized equipment.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:26pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of the Coachella Ferris wheel's intricate, glittering LED light texture, capturing the luxurious, high-fashion aesthetic of the iconic desert attraction.The Coachella Ferris wheel's dazzling LED lights create a glamorous, high-fashion aesthetic that has become a signature element of the desert festival.Coachella Today

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival's iconic Ferris wheel, known as La Grande XL, is a massive structure that requires 20 semitrucks, a 70-ton crane, and a team of 10 workers to assemble over the course of five days before each year's event. The wheel, which features over half a million LED lights and a custom logo designed exclusively for Coachella and its sister festival Stagecoach, has become a must-see attraction for hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers over the past 15 years.

Why it matters

The Coachella Ferris wheel has become an iconic symbol of the festival, appearing in countless social media posts and serving as a recognizable backdrop that instantly evokes the Coachella experience. Its annual return is a highly anticipated part of the event, showcasing the level of production and logistics required to bring such a massive attraction to life in the desert each year.

The details

The La Grande XL Ferris wheel, which debuted in 2017, stands 36 gondolas tall and is equipped with air conditioning. It takes a team of 10 workers five days to assemble the wheel using a 70-ton crane after the 20 semitrucks carrying the components arrive on site. In addition to the wheel itself, the attraction features a custom-designed logo of a palm tree and roadrunner that is exclusively used at Coachella and Stagecoach, taking an additional six hours to install.

  • The La Grande XL Ferris wheel made its debut at Coachella in 2017.
  • The wheel is assembled over the course of five days prior to each year's Coachella festival.

The players

Ray Cammack Shows

The owner and operator of the La Grande XL Ferris wheel, which travels to events around the country including Coachella and Stagecoach.

Ben Pickett

The vice president at Ray Cammack Shows, the company that operates the Coachella Ferris wheel.

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What they’re saying

“Because it is only used for Coachella and Stagecoach, the sign remains in Southern California when not in use. Altogether, the wheel features more than half a million LED lights and installing the logo is a detailed process that takes our team approximately six hours to complete. It's the final element added during setup — we consider it the 'cake topper' that completes the entire wheel.”

— Ben Pickett, Vice President, Ray Cammack Shows

What’s next

The La Grande XL Ferris wheel will return to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2027, continuing its annual tradition of serving as one of the most recognizable and photographed attractions at the event.

The takeaway

The Coachella Ferris wheel has become an iconic symbol of the festival, requiring a massive logistical effort to transport, assemble, and customize each year. Its annual return is a highly anticipated part of the Coachella experience, showcasing the level of production and attention to detail that goes into creating this must-see attraction for hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers.