In a move that has city officials and locals beaming with holiday anticipation, the historic Wanamaker Building is set to bring back its beloved Christmas Light Show and Dickens Village this holiday season. The Philadelphia Visitor Center made the announcement at a festive "Christmas in July" event, following the closure of Macy's earlier this year which cast doubt on the future of these cherished holiday attractions.
According to 6abc, there is also a campaign in motion dubbed "Save the Light Show," aiming to raise $350,000 to ensure the tradition continues.
The Philadelphia Visitor Center is rallying the community to contribute to preserving a slice of Philly's Christmas spirit, a sentiment echoed by Kathryn Ott Lovell, the President and CEO of the Visitor Center, who highlighted the emotional significance of these attractions. “For nearly 70 years, generations of Philadelphians have stood beneath the twinkling Light Show and listened to the sounds of the Wanamaker Organ," Lovell said in a statement obtained by NBC Philadelphia.
Efforts to save the light show picked up considerable traction with over $254,000 raised by Friday afternoon, according to a report from NBC Philadelphia. The William Penn Foundation has offered a dollar-for-dollar match up to $100,000, providing a substantial boost to the campaign. Joining the donation drive, the Connelly Foundation pitched in with a $100,000 grant, showcasing strong community support for the tradition.
The light show, a staple since 1956, and the Dickens Village have been a central part of Philadelphia's holiday experience. The "Save the Light Show" campaign funds will not only secure the future of the light show but also contribute to the maintenance and tuning of the iconic Wanamaker Organ, an integral part of the light show performances. “We are delighted in this partnership, bringing back the thrilling experience that a crowd of 10,000 people paid homage to just four months ago when Macy’s closed," Ray Biswanger, Executive Director of the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, told NBC Philadelphia.
Further bolstering the seasonal festivities, Opera Philadelphia General Director and President Anthony Roth Costanzo announced plans to curate and present live musical performances featuring the Wanamaker Organ throughout the summer and fall. This will add a cultural dimension to the buzzing activity anticipated in the Wanamaker Building in the lead-up to the Christmas season. Additionally, Jake Elghanayan, senior vice president of TF Cornerstone, emphasized the company's commitment to preserving these holiday traditions, as mentioned in The Philadelphia Tribune.
While no schedule has yet been announced for the events, the collective efforts of the Philadelphia Visitor Center, TF Cornerstone, and the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ aim to ensure that this time-honored celebration remains a fixture in Philadelphia's festive landscape. Philadelphians who cherish these yuletide displays are encouraged to contribute to the "Save the Light Show" campaign, with donation benefits including magnets and VIP tickets for a preview lighting event. The William Penn Foundation's challenge grant stands as a marker of the city's determination to keep its traditions alight, playing a crucial role in rallying local support for the enduring legacy of the Wanamaker holiday spectacle.
