Wanamaker Organ to Host Holiday Performances Amid Fundraising Efforts

Holiday festivities are set to return to Philadelphia's Wanamaker Building, renowned for its Dickens Village and Christmas Light Show, as civic leaders announced plans on Friday to revive these cherished traditions.

With Macy's decision to close the store in January 2025, concerns have arisen regarding the future of the Wanamaker Organ and the Grand Court, which is adorned with a one-ton bronze eagle statue. However, city officials have reassured the public that these landmarks are protected as National Historic Landmarks and are listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, ensuring their preservation.

The Christmas Light Show, narrated by Julie Andrews, along with the beloved Dickens Village display—originally acquired from Strawbridge's—has become a staple of the holiday season.

Efforts are underway to raise $350,000 for the 2025 holiday season, with the Philadelphia Visitors Center reporting significant progress towards this goal. The funds will support the installation and staffing of both the light show and Dickens Village.

In addition to the holiday programming, the Wanamaker Organ—the largest fully functioning musical instrument globally, boasting over 28,000 pipes—will feature daily concerts throughout the light show season. But that's not all; a variety of performances will also take place in the space that once housed Macy's.

A $1 million grant from the Wyncote Foundation will enable Opera Philadelphia to present a series of musical events starting in September. Anthony Roth Costanzo, executive director of Opera Philadelphia, noted that these performances will range from "Halloween scares to holiday music," showcasing the iconic organ.

"We would love for you to join us at the series, it's called Pipe Up," Costanzo stated. "And we look forward to pulling out all the stops."

The inaugural performance, titled "Meet Me at the Eagle," is scheduled for September 7.

To support the light show and Dickens Village for 2025, donations are being collected by the Philadelphia Visitor Center and Friends of the Wanamaker Organ. A dedicated website, SavetheLightShow.org, has been launched for this purpose. The Connelly Foundation has already contributed $100,000, while the William Penn Foundation has pledged an additional $100,000 in matching funds.

The matching funds from the William Penn Foundation will activate once public donations reach $100,000, effectively doubling contributions.

"If you care about the Light Show and Dickens Village as much as we do, please consider making a gift—of any size!—to this campaign. Your gift ensures the Light Show and Dickens Village will continue to inspire and unite us," reads a message on the fundraising website.

Donors can receive commemorative gifts based on their contribution level, ranging from an "I saved the light show" magnet to a VIP "Best Seat in the House" experience for six at the light show.

TF Cornerstone, a New York-based developer that owns the Wanamaker Building, has previously announced plans to construct 600 loft-style apartments above the retail space.

Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitors Center, expressed gratitude towards TF Cornerstone for their commitment to preserving the traditions of the Wanamaker Building.

"They are champions of historic preservation; they have been looking at this building for years, thinking about what they can do with this historic treasure," she remarked.