More Store and Light Show Handy Tips
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MEALS, LODGING, NEARBY ATTRACTIONS, TIPS AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION IS HERE.
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Covered parking is available under the Wanamaker Building, but additional options are here.
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Read the fascinating story of Bert Medland, father of the Magic Christmas Tree here.
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An annotated bibliography by Adrianna Riccioni tracing the history of the Light Show is here.
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Our Philadelphia Visitors Guide is here.
- Escalators are located at both ends of the Grand Court. The Information Desk is on the Main Floor, Market Street.
Elevators are also at the Market Street side of the Store. The Executive Offices are on the Third Floor, Market Street.
Restrooms are on the Third Floor, Central, at 13th Street. -
A story on Macy’s windows is here.
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An amusing retrospective on the Philadelphia Yuletide scene is found at this site.
- A fun Wanamaker Organ and Light Show overview is HERE.
- A 2015 Action News piece on the Light Show and Wanamaker Organ is HERE.
- Further information on the LIGHT SHOW is HERE.
- A YouTube of the 2015 Christmas in the Grand Tradition concert is HERE.
- Read an insightful 2015 overview of the Light Show HERE
- A blog site showing behind-the-scenes Light Show views is HERE.
- Nearby attractions include the Reading Terminal Market food court, the Christmas Village outdoor shops at City Hall and the light show in the Comcast Building.
The Daily Organ Concert schedule is here. Noon Wanamaker Organ concerts generally start after the Light Show runs its course, and feature the finale of the show played on the Organ. Taped recordings of the organ conclude other finales.
Take a look at the new Friends of the Wanamaker Organ film intended as an orientation for store visitors. Simply click on the box at right.
Light Show Music
Greg Sonsini has compiled a list of music used in the Light Show. To access it, please CLICK HERE. Scott Barber believes the “Deck the Halls” used in the old Light Show was actually performed by the Boston Pops. Siri helped us locate the source for the Santa Train sequence: Parade of the Wooden Soldiers from the album “Christmas Surprises from the Ralph Hunter Choir” (1959).
Help is requested in finding the musical artists of those works not yet identified. E-mail us at execdirec@wanamakerorgan.com if you can add details.
Visit Our Christmas Store!
The information on this website is provided as a courtesy
by the Friends of Wanamaker Organ.
Persons traveling a great distance
may wish to call ahead to verify details.
A History of the Light Show and
Macy’s Revitalization of a
Great Philadelphia Tradition
The following features trace the history of the Macy’s Light Show from its earliest days at the John Wanamaker department store in the 1950s to the present. Each year brings new improvements to the show, with an abiding respect for tradition.
