Macy’s Dickens Christmas Village

Macy’s acquired the celebrated Dickens Christmas Village from Philadelphia’s Strawbridge & Clothier Department Store. Numerous animated figures depict scenes in Dickens’  “A Christmas Carol” (1843). While not as popular as the Wanamaker Light Show, the village drew customers to the fourth floor Strawbridge’s, and on one occasion a Dickens descendant presided at the season opening. After Strawbridge’s closed, Macy’s installed a drop ceiling in Egyptian Hall in the Fall of 2006 and placed the show there during its move into the John Wanamaker Building. Macy’s also attires attendants in period garb and sometimes has carolers sing from the organ console loft. Children have an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and share Christmas wishes. Lit Brothers department store (“Hats Trimmed Free of Charge”) had a Colonial Christmas Village, which is now at the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park. Roy Insley’s fanciful model “Wanamaker’s at Christmas” is also displayed there.