As I stepped into the marble-floored Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building in Center City and paused under the giant bronze Eagle, it felt like I’d entered a portal of holiday memories. This year, the tradition continues. The beloved Wanamaker Light Show in Philadelphia returns for the 2025 season with its rich history, fresh energy, and a promise to shine in a changing city.
A Cherished Holiday Institution
My memories of the Light Show stretch back to childhood. I remember the four-story velvet curtain draped in twinkling lights. Formations of snowflakes and dancing reindeer, the thunderous chords of the Wanamaker Organ still resonate in my memory, echoing off the marble walls.
The tradition began in 1956 inside what was then the flagship store of the John Wanamaker department chain, and has since become a fixture of Philadelphia’s holiday season.
Each time I visit the Grand Court for the holidays, the show feels like more than a spectacle. It’s a link across generations: families who visited as kids now bring children of their own, first dates under the Eagle, photo-ops for tourists, moments of joy amid winter’s length. The partnering attraction upstairs, the Dickens Village walk-through experience, adds to the magic.
The 2025 Revival
When Macy’s announced the closure of its Center City store in early 2025, the future of the Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village seemed uncertain. The announcement quickly became a major topic in Philadelphia news, sparking emotional reactions and public concern about the fate of one of the city’s most cherished traditions.
In response, the Philadelphia Visitor Center and TF Cornerstone launched a public fundraising campaign targeting roughly $350,000 to support the 2025 season and begin long-term preservation.
The announcement and the fundraising campaign struck an emotional chord with the city. Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center, said, “To imagine a future without this experience — for my family, for your families — was simply heartbreaking.” Her words resonated with me and many others, capturing why preserving the Light Show and Dickens Village feels so important.
Planning for Visitors: What to Expect in 2025
As I toured the space, talked with organizers and inspected the Grand Court, here’s what stands out for this year’s edition:
- Free Entry: The show remains free to the public, and the Visitor Center emphasizes that despite retail changes, the Light Show will continue with no admission fee.
- Location: The show takes place in the Grand Court of the Wanamaker Building at 100 E. Penn Square in Philadelphia.
- Schedule & Experience: This year’s program features over 100,000 LED lights projecting snowflakes, ballerinas, and reindeer onto a four‑storey curtain in the Grand Court, all backed by music from the famed Wanamaker Organ. Check the schedule on the Philadelphia Visitor Center website.
- Upstairs Dickens Village: The Dickens Village returns in a walk‑through format on the upper level of the building with 26 scenes from A Christmas Carol. Entry is free but requires a timed ticket.
- Accessibility: The visitor site notes that the show is wheelchair accessible and welcomes service animals.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early to get a good vantage beneath the Eagle statue.
- Consider weekday morning or afternoon slots for lighter crowds.
- Combine the Light Show visit with other Center City holiday attractions (Christmas Village, Winterfest, etc.).
- Check for any renovation signs: the building is changing, so follow signage and official updates.
Why This Tradition Matters
As I watched a handful of rehearsal runs during a behind-the-scenes preview, I was struck by the scale of one factor: people. Families, couples, and lifelong Philadelphians gather to share a few minutes of wonder beneath the marble balconies. Though hundreds of thousands visit each year, the Wanamaker Light Show’s power goes far beyond numbers.
It connects generations — grandparents who once watched the curtain glow now bring their grandchildren. It offers continuity in a city constantly evolving, reminding us that shared moments of beauty still matter.
The economic impact is important, but the tradition means more than dollars. In a city with a rich history, the return of this beloved show signals continuity, community, and shared memory.
Behind the Scenes: Restoring & Reinvigorating the Show
I spent time with veteran technicians and organizers to see how the show is put together each year. I saw how the light curtain is rigged, watched the choreographed projections of snowflakes, and learned how the organ cues are timed. Everything has to work together perfectly, and even a small mistake can throw off the whole show.
Archival sources show that in the 1950s, the show also included mirror-ball snowflakes, water fountains, and elaborate stage settings. This year, without Macy’s full retail support, the team is adapting. Donations to the “Save the Light Show” campaign fund not just the lights but also the technical crew, crowd management, staging, and power infrastructure.
During a run-through, I sat near the organ loft and felt the instrument’s power firsthand. The Wanamaker Organ, with 28,750 pipes, is the largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world Its roar reverberates through the marble halls, giving the show its rich sound. Synchronizing the lights, organ music, and sculptures is a major technical challenge, the organizers are balancing tradition with innovation.
What’s New & What to Watch
For the 2025 edition, I identified several “what’s new” factors worth watching:
- New Stewardship: With Macy’s gone, the Light Show is now managed by a nonprofit partnership including the Philadelphia Visitor Center, TF Cornerstone, and Friends of the Wanamaker Organ.
- Supporting Arts Programming: In parallel, the building hosts a pop-up performing arts series called “Pipe Up” that began in September, designed to activate the Grand Court beyond the holiday season.
- Future of the Building: Major renovations of the Wanamaker Building are scheduled to start in early 2026 and are expected to last about two years, making the long-term home of the Light Show uncertain.
- Funding Transparency: The campaign to raise around $350,000 exceeded its goal, supported by major grants from the William Penn Foundation and the Connelly Foundation.
- Potential Schedule/Format Tweaks: Organizers hint at new ways to experience the iconic Grand Court this year, while keeping the core elements of the Light Show intact.
The Emotional Resonance: Voices of the Visitors
As I stood amid the holiday hustle, I spoke with some families:
A young mother from Delaware said, “My parents brought me here; now I bring my son. I was worried maybe it would be gone this year. I’m so glad it’s back.”
A tourist from Ohio said this was one of the “must-do” stops in Philadelphia at Christmastime.
A long-time staff technician reflected: “We’ve been installing this show for decades. With the building changing, it felt like we had to fight to keep it alive. But the community rallied.”
Their voices underscored that the Light Show isn’t just a spectacle — it is memory, continuity, connection.
Economic & Urban-Planning Significance
From my perspective, the Light Show is more than just a holiday attraction. It brings the city to life for everyone. In a downtown facing retail challenges and high office vacancy, attractions like this bring people in, support nearby restaurants, hotels, and parking, and help keep Center City lively during the winter months.
Preserving the Light Show is also about protecting a landmark, maintaining a public space, and sustaining a valuable city asset.
Challenges & the Road Ahead
Despite the optimism, there are some challenges:
- Building Renovation: Major redevelopment of the Wanamaker Building is planned to begin in 2026, which may affect the show’s location and format.
- Funding: The recent campaign has raised enough to support the 2025 season, covering staffing, technical needs, and installation. Continuing the show in future years will require ongoing funding and skilled staff.
- Audience Experience: The Light Show draws thousands of visitors each season. The 2025 team is prioritizing smooth crowd flow, safe viewing areas, and an enjoyable visitor experience.
- Preserving Tradition: The organizers are committed to maintaining the historic elements, including the Wanamaker Organ and the iconic light curtain, while exploring ways to enhance the show responsibly.
My Visit: Moments That Stood Out
On a crisp autumn afternoon, I entered the building before full public programming began. I took a seat, looking up at the balconies, the vaulted ceiling, hearing a test chord from the organ. A technician switched tracks, lights flickered on: snowflakes unfolded on the curtain, the human voice narrator intoned
I moved to the mezzanine to peer down at families gathered — kids pointing, elders remembering. The sound of the organ filled the air, the lights traced patterns, and the sculpted eagle glowed gold. I asked a young man who was taking photos, “what made you come before the actual show?” He smiled and said, “Because it’s a moment in the year when everything slows down and you can feel a sense of wonder.”
Final Thoughts: Why the Wanamaker Light Show 2025 Matters
The 2025 Wanamaker Light Show matters for many reasons. This year, the tradition faced challenges, but it continues. The building that hosts the show is changing, yet the show itself remains. Families, visitors, and city stakeholders reaffirm what this tradition represents: lights, belonging, city identity, winter joy, and public space rooted in memory.
In Philadelphia, the Wanamaker Light Show is a highlight of the winter season. It reflects the city’s commitment to heritage, shared experiences, and creating places where people gather.
For 2025, the show returns with energy and warmth. Walking through the lights, hearing the organ, and seeing the display felt like a reminder of what cities need: small moments of connection and joy during the darker months.
If you plan to visit, arrive early, bring family, and explore both upstairs and below. The show is free, but the memories you take home are lasting. No matter how buildings change, Philadelphia will continue to pause beneath the Eagle and celebrate joy. This year, it’s set to shine brighter than ever.
