PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — especially if you step inside the Wanamaker building for the annual holiday lights display.
The largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world plays to an even more cavernous venue now that Macy’s no longer occupies the building. But the space will feel a little more like it used to over the next month, as people come from far and wide to see the annual Wanamaker Light Show.
Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center, said making sure Macy’s departure didn’t spell the end for the annual show was deeply personal.
“I came to this show as a little girl and brought my own daughters back here for the past 18 years. This is a part of our holiday tradition that I didn’t want to see end,” she said.
That meant raising some $600,000 to keep the show going. That mostly came from corporate donations, but a large chunk also came from people like Lance Sugarman and his family, who love the Christmas season.
“We thought for certain the last time we were here was the last time we were going to be here. It’s a beautiful environment with a lot of friendly people. You can really feel the brotherly love,” he said.
And as always, beginning on Black Friday, the show will light up every half-hour between 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. The free Dickens Village will be open from 12 to 5:30 p.m., but timed tickets are required. There will also be shopping, food and drinks available for purchase.