This year, the magic of holiday cheer returns to Philadelphia! From a giant Christmas Light Show and Organ music played by an actual human being living inside It's always darkest before dawn atkins down city streets as visitors are welcomed with open arms into this great nation-wide celebration that will make their hearts sing. This isn't just any old December; it’s time for all things winter –ivals like skiing or ice skating–and what better way than spending those cold days indoors exploring Macy’s Dickens Village, visiting Santa and checking out the Holiday Windows. Additional details of these holiday traditions returning to Philadelphia this season are below.
Macy’s Christmas Light Show
Guests wishing to see the spectacular Macy’s Christmas Light Show can enjoy classic holiday tales as they come to life in lights with sounds from the world-famous Wanamaker Organ. The show can be viewed daily now through December 31 at the following times in the Grand Court of Macy’s Center City or on demand at macys.com/HolidayCelebrations.
· Monday through Thursday: 4 and 6 p.m.
· Friday through Sunday: 10 a.m. then 12, 2, 4 and 6 p.m.
· Saturday, December 24: 10 a.m. then 12 and 2 p.m.
The Light Show was ceremonial lit in a private media ceremony on November 21 by a Big and Little from Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region in celebration of Macy’s new multi-year partnership for the holiday season. Now through December 24, Macy’s customers will have the opportunity to fuel life-changing mentorship experiences by donating online at macys.com or rounding up in-store purchases (up to $0.99). Learn more at macys.com/purpose.
Macy’s Dickens Village
Macy’s Dickens Village takes guests through select animated displays telling the story of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Macy’s Dickens Village is available now through December 31 with advance reservations required through macys.com/HolidayCelebrations.
Santa at Macy’s
Santa returns to Macy’s Center City! Visits with Santa are now available as part of the Dickens Village experience through December 24. Reservations will open at 6:30 a.m. local time and will display the open reservation slots for five days later (for example, reservations for December 16 will open on December 11 at 6:30 a.m. local time). Reservations are required through macys.com/HolidayCelebrations.
Holiday Windows
The Holiday Windows at Macy’s Center City have a “toy factory” theme in celebration of our new partnership with Toys“R”Us. The windows bring the season’s must-have toys to life, as our friend Geoffrey is an adorable toy inspector taking us through a tour of Macy’s toy factory with his favorite toys on display. Macy’s Holiday Windows will be on display through January 1, 2023.
The Wanamaker Organ
The Wanamaker Organ is world’s largest playing pipe organ with 28,575 pipes, bringing music to the City of Philadelphia and the music world at large for over a century. Organist Peter Richard Conte continues this tradition by performing free concerts Monday through Saturday at 12 and 5:30 p.m.
Macy’s Santaland at Home – Delivering Holiday Cheer Nationwide
Santaland’s digital-only experience returns, with an all-new immersive adventure for kids everywhere as they virtually visit Santa’s Workshop via Macy’s Santaland at Home. Available at macys.com/HolidayCelebrations, kids will enter a magical snow globe portal that whisks them to Santa’s Village and Workshop for a very special holiday treat. Guided by Santa’s elves, kids can choose their own interactive journey as they explore the magical land. Fromaugmented reality activities like decorating their own personal trees and sharing them with loved ones (via Macy’s Santaland at Home, Facebook and Instagram) to fun interactive games across Santa’s workshop, kids will have a blast during their virtual escapades. A visit to Santaland would not be complete without an audience with the jolly one himself, and kids will meet Santa through an interactive video and have the chance to take and share a special Santa selfie. Free to all, Macy’s Santaland at Home will be available beginning Friday, November 25 through Saturday, December 24. To access the site, a supervising adult must create an account, provide the appropriate permissions to activate the program including approving access to the hardware for the interactive elements and selecting their preferred Santa experience.
Starting Monday, December 5, the virtual Macy’s Santa fun will extend to the metaverse this year via an immersive virtual reality quest on Meta’s Horizon Worlds that allows holiday explorers to roam Santa’s home, feed the reindeer, take part in playful snowball showdowns and more.
Macy’s Holiday Happiness is brought to fans in part by Balsam Hill®, Entenmann’s® and Hallmark Channel. All entries to Macy’s holiday experiences are free. For more information and to make reservations, please visit macys.com/holidaycelebrations.
