Families in the North no longer need to travel all the way to Metro Manila or the South for a day of theme park fun. SM City Pampanga has officially opened Sky Ranch, the first amusement park in North Luzon, located on a 10,000-square-meter site right beside the mall . The park brings a full roster of thrilling rides—including a loop roller coaster—to the heart of San Fernando, making Pampanga a true one-stop entertainment destination.
The amusement park is a collaboration between SM Prime Holdings, Inc., S&T Leisure Inc., and Westech Philippines, transforming the SM City Pampanga complex into a complete leisure hub combining shopping, dining, and amusement park experiences . This expansion positions Pampanga as a go-to weekend destination for families from across Central Luzon and beyond.
The Pampanga Eye and Thrilling Attractions for All Ages
At the heart of Sky Ranch stands the Pampanga Eye, the tallest and largest Ferris wheel in the Philippines at 65 meters tall and 50 meters in diameter . The iconic wheel features 32 air-conditioned gondolas, each able to fit four people, with a full rotation taking approximately nine to ten minutes . The original name considered was "Giant Farol" as a tribute to Pampanga's world-famous lantern industry, but developers ultimately chose Pampanga Eye to let residents identify it as their own.
For thrill-seekers, the Loop Roller Coaster delivers a heart-pumping experience with its 360-degree rotation and sharp swerves . Other notable rides include the Super Viking, an open-air gondola that swings up to 90 degrees, the Dream Log flume ride that simulates a raging river experience on a man-made waterway, and a nostalgic Double Decker Carousel reminiscent of classic European carousels . Families with younger children can enjoy the Wonderflight, featuring eight colorful hot air balloon-themed gondolas . The park also offers game booths including basketball toss, ring toss, and bowling, where visitors can win stuffed toys and prizes .
Accessibility and Affordable Family Fun
Sky Ranch operates on an open-air model with free standard entry, allowing guests to enjoy the ambiance without paying admission fees . Individual ride tickets are available, with the Pampanga Eye reportedly costing around ₱150 per person. For the best value, the ₱350 ride-all-you-can pass—available through SM Malls Online—provides unlimited access to rides at Sky Ranch Pampanga, Skyranch Tagaytay, Skyranch Baguio, and SM By The Bay Amusement Park . This makes a full day of family entertainment highly affordable compared to traditional theme parks. Operating hours are 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on weekends and holidays.
Located at 3rd Street, San Fernando City, the park is conveniently adjacent to SM City Pampanga, allowing visitors to combine a shopping trip with amusement park thrills . The park is also recognized as a DOT-Accredited Tourism-Related Establishment by the City Tourism and Investment Promotions Office, assuring visitors of quality standards . For local residents, this development eliminates the need for long drives to Tagaytay or Metro Manila just to enjoy a day at an amusement park. Kapampangans can now experience world-class rides in their own backyard, strengthening Pampanga's reputation as a complete leisure destination for families across Central Luzon.
