PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Wanamaker Light Show has been a holiday staple in Center City Philadelphia since 1956, and it continues this year after months of uncertainty.
Everyone was looking up inside the historic Wanamaker Building on Monday night as the iconic display lit up for another season.
“My head was like tilted all the way back, but it was worth it,” said Aaron Chandra of South Philadelphia.
Guests attended a preview event ahead of the official public opening on Friday.
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The lights are coming back on at the Wanamaker Building this holiday season.
“I have never missed a Christmas show since 1960,” said Michelle Palamountain of Center City.
“They’ve done a fabulous job, so it’s a great place. It’s a family tradition. It’s a Philadelphia tradition, and I’m happy to be here,” she added.
Jackie Lewis, of Center City, said the tradition is hard to put into words.
“Wanamaker’s holiday light show, there’s just no way to describe what that means to family after family after generations,” Lewis said.
The show’s return follows a successful campaign to save the Philadelphia tradition after Macy’s closed and new ownership raised questions about its future. Thousands in donations poured in over the last few months in an effort spearheaded by the Philadelphia Visitor Center.
“Philadelphians have shown that they love this light show. They love the Dickens Village. They love the Wanamaker Building and want to see this continue as a part of their holiday tradition and their holiday experience here in Center City Philadelphia,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center.
In addition to the 12-minute light show, families explored Dickens Village on the third floor, where animatronics tell the story of “A Christmas Carol,” followed by photos with Santa.
“My parents and my grandparents used to take me as a kid,” said Samantha Cieslinski of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, who was with her husband and two small children.
“This was really just a cool full circle moment,” Cieslinski said.
Officials say this is the year to come. The show will pause in 2026 and 2027 due to major renovations at the Wanamaker Building.
6abc is a proud media sponsor of the event, which runs through Christmas Eve.
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