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Wanamaker Building's Holiday Light Show, Dickens Village Will Return Despite Macy's Closure
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, JUL 25 – City officials and local groups launched a $350,000 fundraising campaign to restore Wanamaker holiday attractions that annually generate $31.7 million and draw 400,000 visitors.
- The Philadelphia Visitors Center confirmed on Friday that despite Macy's closing in March, the festive light display and Dickens Village at the Wanamaker Building will be brought back for the upcoming holiday season.
- Macy's closing in Center City after nearly two decades sparked concern about preserving these cherished traditions, prompting local officials and groups to act quickly.
- A fundraising effort aiming to collect $350,000 from the public—including $200,000 secured through foundation grants—had successfully raised $254,000 by Friday afternoon to help reinstall the attractions.
- About 2,000 visitors attend each light show, and Macy's data indicates the Dickens Village attracted 10,000 guests daily, highlighting the events’ significance for Philadelphia’s holiday season.
- TF Cornerstone, the Wanamaker Building's new owner, plans a mixed-use conversion with over 600 housing units and vowed to preserve the pipe organ and Eagle statue, supporting the city's Market East revival.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Philly leaders announce return of Wanamaker holiday light show
The two iconic aspects of the Christmas season in Philadelphia were thrown into limbo after Macy's decided to close the department store occupying the old Wanamaker's building that took up a whole city block just east of City Hall.
Christmas light show, Dickens Village will return to Wanamaker Building
Officials announced plans Friday to bring back the Christmas light show and Dickens Village to the historic Wanamaker Building in Center City. There was uncertainty around the future of the holiday programming, which began 1956, when Macy's closed earlier this year.
Vacant no more: Opera Philadelphia performances are coming to the Wanamaker building
(WPHL) -- The famed Wanamaker Organ and building is not going to be sitting vacant anymore, all thanks to a $1 million grant and performances from Opera Philadelphia. Editor's note: The video above is from a prior report. After the Macy's Department Store inside the historic Wanamaker Building closed in March 2025, the future of the Wanamaker organ and building seemed uncertain. But now, all thanks to a $1 million grant from the Wyncote Foundat…
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