Fire Dance Fridays Are Heating Up This Summer At Pacific Terrace Hotel
Summer nights in Pacific Beach are heating up... and not just because of the sunsets! Fire Dance Fridays are back at Pacific Terrace for hotel guests only, kicking off Friday, May 22nd, and lighting up the coast every Friday through September 4th, 2026.
Envision this: ocean views, a salty breeze, something cold and delicious in hand, and a live fire performance steps from your table. It’s the kind of night that starts with dinner and turns into something you’ll be talking about long after the weekend ends.
Each Friday, our oceanfront patio comes alive with movement, music, and flames. You’ll feel the warmth, hear the rhythm, and find yourself completely pulled into the moment. Our Terrace Café will also be serving themed bites and seasonal food and drink specials (menu dropping soon!), so you can sip, snack, and stay a while the show unfolds.
We caught up with our fire dancer, Tiana Powell, to learn more about the art behind the flames and what makes these nights so unforgettable.
Q: For someone who’s never seen Fire Dance Fridays before, what should they expect?
Tiana: It’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. I like to call it a sensory experience. You’re not just watching it, you’re feeling it. You feel the heat, you hear the fire, and you’re completely immersed. You’re sitting here by the ocean, enjoying dinner, and suddenly you’re part of the show.
Q: How did you get into fire dancing?
Tiana: It honestly fell into my lap. I started in color guard when I was younger, spinning flags, sabers, rifles, all of it. I was actually on track to play college softball, but I turned that down… and somehow ended up lighting things on fire and spinning them instead. Now I travel the world doing it. It’s basically color guard, but on fire.
Q: What goes into preparing for a performance?
Tiana: A lot more than people think. It might look like a 15-minute show, but there’s so much behind the scenes. I’m checking all my props, making sure everything is safe, coordinating with my fire safety team, and running through the choreography. There’s choreography on stage, but also off stage. Every moment is planned, even if some of it looks spontaneous.
Q: Are the shows the same each week, or does it change?
Tiana: Every show is different. I don’t even use the same props between sets. Some parts are planned, but I leave space to go with the energy of the audience. That’s what makes it feel real.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge with fire dancing?
Tiana: Safety, always. It’s real fire, so everything has to be controlled and intentional. It took years to build that level of trust with my team and my process so that it feels fun and exciting, but still completely safe.
Q: And what’s the most rewarding part?
Tiana: The connection with people. I’ve had guests come up to me after a show and say it really meant something to them. Sometimes even emotional. Those moments where you lock eyes with someone and you know they felt it too; that’s everything.
Q: What makes Fire Dance Fridays here special to you?
Tiana: There’s just a really good energy here. Guests are already in that vacation mindset, they’re relaxed, they’re open to the experience. And then the show comes to them. It becomes this shared moment between everyone.
Q: What do you hope guests take away from the experience?
Tiana: I want them to feel joy, excitement, maybe a little adrenaline. I want them to feel like anything is possible. And just have fun with it!
Fire Dance Fridays run every week from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, kicking off May 22nd and lighting up the coast all summer long. Whether you’re visiting San Diego or planning a local staycation, there’s no better place to experience it than right here at our beachfront hotel in Pacific Beach. Settle in with ocean views, enjoy dinner and drinks from Terrace Café, and take in a one-of-a-kind performance just steps from the sand.
It’s the kind of night that captures everything people love about summer in San Diego: warm evenings, coastal views, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Come early for sunset, stay for the show, and make a night of it!
