Mayor Lurie Announces Installation With 49 Beams Of Light To Rise Above Civic Center During Historic Summer For San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today unveiled “7X7,” a free public artwork that will light up Civic Center Plaza with 49 beams of light in an array of colors—just as San Francisco welcomes visitors from around the world for Pride, the FIFA World Cup, and the United States’ 250th anniversary. Conceived and produced by Illuminate, “7X7” will send 49 beams of light into the sky—one for each square mile of San Francisco—from June 21 through July 4. “7X7” will be visible from across San Francisco and the Bay Area, inviting visitors to approach the artwork or interact with it from across the city’s neighborhoods, creating an immersive experience from sunset to sunrise.

The installation builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to welcome visitors to San Francisco, with tourism on track to break records in 2026 following San Francisco International Airport’s busiest-ever Memorial Day. The San Francisco Bay Area is currently hosting the FIFA World Cup, after successfully hosting the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend—events projected to generate $1.4 billion in economic activity and help accelerate the city's economic recovery. On July 4, San Francisco will follow Pride Weekend with an historic Fourth of July fireworks display launching from the Golden Gate Bridge.

“As our city welcomes people from around the world this summer for Pride, July Fourth, and the World Cup, we are showing the creativity, energy, and spirit that make San Francisco the greatest city in the world,” said Mayor Lurie. “We have always been a city that leads with our values, and we’re demonstrating that with this installation. Whether you live here or you’re coming to visit, whether you’re in one of our neighborhoods or coming downtown, there’s so much to be excited about in San Francisco this summer.”

“7X7” will reimagine the city’s famous dimensions as a work of public art, evolving throughout its run to feature rainbow colors during Pride Weekend and the colors of the American flag when San Francisco celebrates the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4. On Pride Weekend, “7X7” will share the sky with WelcomeSF, Illuminate's 4.1-mile rainbow laser installation along Market Street, billed as the world's largest Pride flag.

“One of the things that makes San Francisco such a great place to live is that you can find moments of joy, beauty, and connection in our public spaces,” said Sarah Madland, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager. “Projects like ‘7X7’ bring people together, activate our civic spaces, and create experiences that are free and accessible to everyone.”

“With the summer solstice, Pride, six World Cup matches, San Francisco's 250th and America's 250th all in the span of two weeks, it's an amazing stretch here in the city,” said Ben Davis, Illuminate Founder and Chief Visionary Officer. “The world will be looking at San Francisco, and ‘7X7’ is our chance to inspire millions.”

“7X7” is produced by Illuminate, the San Francisco nonprofit behind recognizable public art installations like the Bay Lights on the Bay Bridge, WelcomeSF’s rainbow laser display along Market Street, and the Golden Mile in Golden Gate Park. The project is made possible through a collaboration of artists, engineers, community organizations, and public agencies, including the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, NuSalt Laser International, San Francisco Pride, Silverback, and Bridge Six.