Shopping at Macy's at Christmas is an experience steeped in tradition. The home of beloved holiday events across the country, Macy's will be celebrating the season with such favorites as Macy's Santaland®, animated holiday windows, tree lightings, fireworks and parades.
In addition to the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, here are some of the Macy's traditions - old and new - in cities around the country.
Atlanta
THE LIGHTING OF MACY'S GREAT TREE
Thanksgiving Night Nov.27, 2008, 7-8 p.m., Lenox Square
The Lighting of Macy's Great Tree, a holiday tradition now in its 61st year, boasts an all-star lineup of talent. Headliners include singer songwriter Jewel, Tony and Grammy award winning Broadway actress Heather Headley and more. The event takes place live Thanksgiving night at Macy's Atlanta flagship store at Lenox Square and is broadcast on WSB-TV. Entertainment Tonight's Jann Carl will co-host the one-hour television special, which will be broadcast nationally throughout the holiday season. Please check local listings for date and time.
THE PINK PIG AT MACY'S LENOX SQUARE
Ride the Pink Pig: Nov. 1, 2008 to Jan. 4, 2009
A treasured holiday tradition for more than 50 years, the Pink Pig has been voted "Best Holiday Tradition" by Atlanta Magazine. Generations of Atlantans have ridden the Pink Pig into the holiday season wearing "I Rode the Pink Pig" stickers with pride. Re-introduced in 2003, Priscilla, the Pink Pig carries on the family tradition beneath a 170-foot, 1950s-themed Pink Pig Tent at the Lenox Square upper-level parking deck. The train carries children and parents through a life-sized storybook. Macy's donates a portion of the proceeds to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Austin
THE DOMAIN LIGHTING OF MACY'S GREAT TREE PRESENTED BY CADILLAC
Saturday Nov. 22, 2008, 6 p.m., entertainment, 7 p.m., tree lighting and fireworks
A towering 40-foot Christmas tree, glowing with more than 6,000 holiday lights, 400 ornaments and a stunning five-foot star topper, will light up the tree-lined streets of The Domain during The Domain Lighting of Macy's Great Tree. The holiday event will feature a special performance by Jordin Sparks, recently nominated by the MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist of 2008 and Best Female Video. The Central Texas holiday tradition will also offer special live performances by local Austin entertainer and upcoming ACL performer, Dan Dyer, The Austin Girls Chorus and the Christian Life Church of Austin Choir. Partnering with The Domain is Any Baby Can Candlelighter's Childhood Cancer Program. The Domain Lighting of Macy's Great Tree is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 512.873.8099.
Boston
MACY'S CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING AND WINDOW UNVEILING
Nov. 28, 2008, 12 noon, Downtown Crossing Window Unveiling
Nov. 28, 2008, 5 p.m., Downtown Crossing Tree Lighting
Macy's officially launches the 2008 holiday season in Boston when the store unveils its Christmas windows and 50-foot Christmas tree atop the Summer Street building's marquee ledge is ceremoniously lit to ring in the season. The evening will be extra special with performances by dynamic contemporary Latino pop group Menudo; cast members from North Shore Music Theatre's Disney High School Musical 2; dancers from Boston Ballet performing an excerpt from "The Nutcracker"; the Boston Children's Chorus and of course, the official arrival of Santa Claus, who will "flip the switch" with Mayor Menino.
MACY'S AND CITY OF BOSTON ENCHANTED TROLLEY TOUR
Dec. 5, 2008 to Dec. 7, 2008
Santa Claus will once again hit the road to bring some Christmas cheer to 15 Boston neighborhoods with the Macy's Enchanted Trolley Tour and Tree Lightings. Starting December 5th and making stops through December 7th, Santa will climb on-board with all of his holiday friends to bring delight to children all over Boston with "Merry Christmas" wishes.
Chicago
THE ICONIC GREAT TREE
November 8, 2008 - January 11, 2009
To kick off a new season of tradition in the world famous Walnut Room, this year's tree will feature iconic ornaments from Great Tree's of the past along with toys from FAO Schwarz, giving the famed tree a traditional "Santa's workshop" feel. The 45-foot glimmering tree will be a two-story holiday vision featuring a traditional red color scheme and tree décor, including red bows and tinsel along with ball-shaped ornaments in red and silver. The sheer number of trimmings is spectacular: nearly 15,000 lights and 4,000 ornaments in total. In celebration of the exclusive partnership between Tommy Hilfiger and Macy's, Tommy Hilfiger will light the Great Tree at noon on Saturday, November 8. Immediately following the tree lighting, Macy's will host a shopping party and book signing in the new Tommy Hilfiger shop on the 4th floor of the Macy's on State Street store where customers will have the opportunity to meet Tommy Hilfiger. In addition, his new book Iconic America will be available for purchase at Macy's throughout the holiday season and retails for $60.
