The world is about to turn upside down.
Ever since 1983, when a test subject in a Hawkins, Indiana lab named Eleven ripped open a portal between Hawkins and the Upside Down (a terrifying alternate dimension beneath the surface of this small town), similar rifts have been opening up in the most unexpected places. Now, they’re officially in our world too.
A photo of the rift at Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland.
Today, in celebration of the upcoming return of Stranger Things, rifts will start appearing on some of the most iconic monuments around the globe. As we recently hinted, the Upside Down will take over 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; and the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao; Telefónica building, Gran Vía 28, Madrid; and Plaza del Callao, Madrid in Spain. Other locations include Shoreditch, London and Tokyo, Japan.
A photo of the rift at Bondi Beach in Australia. Credit: Aquabumps
A visual spectacle and light show of unprecedented size and scale, fans everywhere will be able to witness in real time as giant rifts to the Upside Down open up around the world. Here are a few highlights of what to expect:
- In NYC, as dusk approaches at 8:45pm ET on 26 May, 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 9:45pm 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 next morning, 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 5am 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.
A photo of the rift in Milan, Italy.
A photo of the rift at the Telefónica building in Madrid, Spain.
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. 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.
A photo of the rift at the Gateway of India.
With the appearance of these rifts on landmarks in so many countries, we’re putting the world on notice: Things are about to turn upside down…
Stranger Things 4, Vol. 1 premieres May 27.
Monica has a BA in Journalism and English from the University of Massachusetts and an MS in Journalism and Communications from Quinnipiac University. Monica has worked as a journalist for over 20 years covering all things entertainment. She has covered everything from San Diego Comic-Con, The SAG Awards, Academy Awards, and more. Monica has been published in Variety, Swagger Magazine, Emmy Magazine, CNN, AP, Hidden Remote, and more. For the past 10 years, she has added PR and marketing to her list of talents as the president of Prime Entertainment Publicity, LLC. Monica is ready for anything and is proudly obsessed with pop culture.
