The Museum of Neon Art will launch its last season of Classic Neon Cruises® starting on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m. MONA invites audiences to board the open-air top of a double-decker bus to get an intimate view of historic neon signs and permanent installations of contemporary neon art through downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. For the past 25 years MONA’s Classic Neon Cruise has become a summertime tradition and a cult phenomenon under the leadership of Eric Lynxwiler. This year Lynxwiler is retiring from leading the cruise. Though the museum may host Neon Cruises in the future this will be the last summer to experience them in this format. 

Lynxwiler said, “When I first stepped up to that Neon Cruise megaphone, who would have known 25 years would fly by before I put it down? It’s been an amazing time sharing a city that I love with thousands upon thousands of guests.

“I’ve watched Los Angeles change so much over the last decades that I look back with joy to think about all of the neon I never thought would get relit that actually got illuminated on Cruise nights. There are also the sad memories of the many neon signs that disappeared overnight and sometimes right before our eyes.”

The live narrated tour departs from downtown LA and points out neon’s historic and aesthetic dimensions, placing them firmly within the context of 20th century Los Angeles cultural history. From the classic movie marquees of downtown LA’s theater district to the glittering lights of Hollywood to the glowing pagodas of Chinatown, guests will see innovative electrical advertising as well as outstanding examples of contemporary art on this award-winning tour. 

Part historic tour, part stand up comedy, and fully a love letter to Los Angeles, this tour is crafted for locals who may have missed parts of LA history hidden in plain sight as well as tourists who want an offbeat insider’s look on what makes this complex city glow. At the helm is longtime tourguide Eric Lynxwiler, who has been leading the cruises for the past 25 years. Lynxwiler is an urban anthropologist and co-author of “Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles” (Angel City Press, 2005), “Knott’s Preserved: From Boysenberry to Theme Park, the History of Knott’s Berry Farm” (Angel City Press 2015), and author of “Signs of Life: Los Angeles Is the City of Neon” (Photo Friends of the Los Angeles Public Library Publications, 2016). 

“Los Angeles was always full of surprises and was quite a character night after night,” recalled Lynxwiler. “We never knew what the city would (literally) throw at us as we drove. So many smiling faces looked back at us and so many dropped trou – moons flashed us, too! I think the biggest takeaway from the Cruises is that Angelinos need to be a tourist in their own backyard sometimes. The Neon Cruise was never meant for out of towners – I always said that if you think you know LA, come with me!”

MONA Executive Director Corrie Siegel said, “MONA is so lucky to share Eric Lynxwiller’s leadership, curiosity, wits and humor with the public for over two decades. We are excited to celebrate 25 years of rollicking through the streets of Los Angeles this summer and are so thankful for how much he has informed how we see this beautiful, complex and ever-changing city.” 

         The Museum of Neon Art Classic Neon Cruises® are scheduled for the following dates: June 1, July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 7.

Tickets for general audiences are $73. Tickets for MONA members are $63. To purchase tickets visit: https://store.neonmona.org/collections/neon-cruises.