THE 41ST ANNUAL ANIMATED HOLIDAY WINDOWS
November 8, 2008 - January 11, 2009
Macy's on State Street is delighted to feature an original and truly magical tale in seven windows on State Street this holiday season. It's a story both special and surreal highlighting the complex yet magical process behind the creation of the decorations on the Great Tree. Featuring more animation than ever before, this year's animated windows are extremely colorful and feature characters using machinery, elements from local Chicago sights and positive attributes like happiness, hope, love and wisdom to produce the trimmings for the Great Tree. The decorations featured in the windows are exact replicas of the actual trimmings on this year's Great Tree in the world famous Walnut Room. Each window speaks to the spirit of the season, requires a childlike imagination to view and proves that this is a tale only to be understood by those who truly believe. Chicagoans and visitors alike can view the windows beginning Saturday, November 8 through Sunday, January 11, 2009.
MACY'S SANTALAND® AT MACY'S ON STATE STREET
November 8, 2008 - December 24, 2008
Beginning November 8, after a stroll down State Street to see the animated holiday windows, customers will be given a reason to believe at Macy's SantaLand in the fifth floor Children's Department. Children are invited to get their pictures taken with Macy's very own Santa Claus through December 24 during store hours. Macy's SantaLand, previously known as the Cozy Cloud Cottage, has been featured in the State Street store since 1948. Santa Claus has visited millions of children in this space.
Cincinnati
MACY'S DOWNTOWN DAZZLE
Saturdays Dec. 6, 13, 20
6:30 p.m. (choirs at 6 p.m.)
Forget the chimney! Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building, a downtown office tower, to the Macy's rooftop at Fountain Square to kick off a spectacular holiday fireworks display choreographed by WVXU / WGUC and Rozzi's Famous Fireworks. The 20-minute family-friendly program also features strolling entertainers and holiday music. Enjoy live music on Fountain Square by local choirs beginning at 6 p.m. before Dazzle.
CARRIAGE RIDES AT MACY'S CELEBRATION STATION
Nov. 29-30, and Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
Noon-5 p.m. (Final boarding at 4:45 p.m.)
Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley carriage rides through the heart of the city courtesy of Macy's Boarding at Macy's Celebration Station on the corner of Fifth and Race streets.
STORY TIME WITH MRS. CLAUS
Saturdays Dec. 6, 13, 20
Following Downtown Dazzle Fireworks, head in to the third level of Macy's Fountain Place store for complimentary cookies, hot cocoa and story time with Mrs. Claus.
FREE, courtesy of Macy's
HO HO! IT'S SANTA
Fridays, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19
Saturdays, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13 and 20
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday Dec. 22-24
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bring your camera for photos with Santa in a festive North Pole setting on the first level of Macy's Fountain Place store.
Minneapolis
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ELF AT MACY'S SANTALAND®
Saturday, November 8-Wednesday, December 31
Macy's 46th annual holiday auditorium display will surprise and delight guests of all ages this holiday season as the department store brings a A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's Santaland® to its Minneapolis store 8th floor auditorium. Through a series of whimsical and vivid vignettes, A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's Santaland®, tells the story of a young elf and all that happens at the North Pole as he prepares for Christmas. Auditorium guests will enjoy seeing what happens from waking up to getting Santa's mail and from learning about Christmas and its traditions around the world to training the reindeer how to fly. At the end of the display, customers will find a holiday bakery and FAO Schwarz Gift Shop. In addition, Santa Claus will be at Macy's through December 24 to gather the holiday wish lists of children across the land.
New York City
MACY'S HERALD SQUARE CHRISTMAS WINDOW UNVEILING
Nov. 23, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
"BELIEVE"
Macy's Herald Square's Broadway Christmas windows this year follow the making of iconic Christmas elements. From Christmas tree lights, ornaments and tinsel to snow and the tree topper, the story is about believing in the magic behind the scenes. Each window will showcase the machinery and other strange devices used to create enchanted Christmas elements.
Animated wonders all their own the window display is also interactive, allowing spectators to join the magical assembly line. With touch-pad technology, and other gadgetry, believing will not be hard this holiday season. In fact, Macy's Believe-o-meter will tell spectators exactly how much they believe after experiencing the Christmas treat. The magic begins on Sunday, November 23rd at 6:30pm when the Broadway windows are officially unveiled to the public.
MACY'S SANTALAND®- HERALD SQUARE
Nov. 28, 2008 to Dec. 24, 2008
As children young and old enter Santaland on the eighth floor of Macy's Herald Square, the World's Largest Store, they marvel at this amazing fantasy world of snow-capped mountains, twinkling lights, cuddly bears and candy canes. Each Christmas, visitors from around the world travel through this 13,000 square foot Christmas Village overflowing with holiday treasures for a special visit with the one and only Santa Claus. As proven in the holiday classic, "Miracle on 34th Street," Macy's has a very special relationship with the jolly old elf. Making his debut in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Santa spends the rest of the holiday season at his home away from the North Pole at Macy's Santaland where he meets with more than 350,000 of his closest friends each year.
MACY'S PUPPET THEATRE
Nov. 28, 2008 to Dec. 24, 2008
Miracle on 34th Street...at Macy's can be seen in the theatre on the ninth floor after visiting the wonderful world of Santaland. This classic story tells the tale of Santa Claus and honors the theory that miracles do happen! Featuring seven new songs by William Schermerhorn (book & lyrics) and Wesley Whatley (music), this thirty minute version of the Oscar-winning 20th Century Fox classic features the artistry of The Puppetworks, Inc. and the vocal talents of Tony® Award winners Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me Kate, Ragtime, Man of La Mancha) and Victoria Clark (Light in the Piazza, Titanic).
Philadelphia
DICKEN'S VILLAGE
Nov. 28, 2008 to Dec. 24, 2008
A beloved Philadelphia tradition for 20 years, "Dicken's Village" is alive and well in its home at Macy's Center City. Housed in the Egyptian Room of the famed Wanamaker Building, the 6,000-square-foot walk-through experience is now a holiday mainstay at Macy's. The Village is recently restored, re-built and re-animated so that Philadelphians will be able to take a trip back in time to 1840s London. With 26 heart-warming scenes, the stage is set for the story of "Scrooge." Macy's will have a photo operation that will allow visitors to capture the magic of the exhibit and spirit of the season, as well as, visit and take photos with Santa Claus.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW- Grand Court
Nov. 28, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2008
The brilliant holiday spectacle takes a magical journey through the story of "The Nutcracker," travels to a winter wonderland, pays a visit to "Frosty the Snowman" and ends under the "Magic Christmas Tree." It will flicker into the hearts of visitors every hour on the hour starting each day at 10 a.m.
CHRISTMAS WINDOWS AT MACY'S CENTER CITY
Nov. 24, 2008, 4 p.m.
It's a holiday tradition as the Christmas windows are unveiled to kick-off the holiday season! Macy's Center City Christmas windows this year follow the magical take of how iconic Christmas elements are made. From Christmas tree lights, ornaments and tinsel to snow and the tree topper, the story is about believing in the magic found behind-the-scenes of everything Christmas. Each window will showcase the machinery and other strange devices used to create enchanted Christmas elements. Afterwards, step inside for a live performance by R&B legend Brian McKnight as he performs tracks off his new holiday CD.
Pittsburgh
LIGHT-UP NIGHT WITH HOLIDAY WINDOW UNVEILING
Nov. 21, 2008, 6:30 p.m.
Light-Up Night is the official kick-off to the holiday season in downtown Pittsburgh. The event includes the animated Window Unveiling Ceremony at the downtown store. There will be a variety of family-friendly events to delight everyone, and the evening will be capped off with the Macy's Fireworks Finale.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON HOLIDAY PARADE presented by Macy's and WPXI-TV
Nov. 29, 2008, 9 a.m. (live broadcast)
A 28-year tradition in Pittsburgh, the parade offers entertainment for all featuring radio and TV personalities, holiday floats, costumed characters and high school marching bands. More than 100,000 people line the streets of Pittsburgh and others watched on TV to see this downtown holiday tradition.
SANTA SHOWS
Nov. 29- Lunch
Dec. 6, 13 and 20 Breakfast and Lunch
For more than 40 years, Santa Shows have provided children and families with a holiday musical stage production while enjoying breakfast or lunch with Santa. The event takes place in the Macy's Downtown store auditorium.
Portland
MACY'S HOLIDAY PARADE KICKS OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Nov. 28, 2008, 8:45 a.m.
The streets will be filled with inflatables, high school marching bands, equestrian units, costumed characters and floats. New this year is the Christmas Kitty float, the Cupcake float and the Poinsettia float, all of which will be accompanied by new costumed characters. Other floats include a dinosaur, a giant rocking horse, Callie the Caterpillar, the Candyland Express and of course Rudolph and Santa's Sleigh. The fifth floor Kids department will host an event from Noon to 2 p.m. where they can make a giant Horton Hears a Who Christmas card and have their pictures taken as they "march" in the Holiday Parade.
SANTALAND
Nov. 28 to Dec. 24, 2008
Shortly after the parade, Santa arrives at Macy's Santaland on the lower level featuring animated elves and reindeer displays and the Monorail Memory Room next door. For more information, give us a jingle at 503-248-5415 or visit www.macyssantaland.com.
San Francisco
HOLIDAY WINDOWS AT MACY'S UNION SQUARE
Nov. 21, 2008 to Jan. 1, 2009
Macy's will once again partner with San Francisco's Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to give homeless cats and dogs a second chance to find warm and loving homes. Holiday shoppers can glimpse some of San Francisco's cutest animals, along with Santa himself, in Macy's Stockton and O'Farrell Street windows. This year's windows are inspired by Macy's "Believe" campaign, which asks children to deposit their stamped letters to Santa in official Santa's mailboxes in our stores. Animals up for adoption will frolic in front of a variety of doorsteps indicative of classic architecture, from colonial to cottage, modern to brownstone and log cabin to deco. Santa letters will arrive at Santa's mailroom, where the jolly man himself will be checking his list to find out which dogs and cats have been naughty or nice. SPCA representatives will be on site while the pets are on display to answer questions from potential adopters.
19TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATES THE YOUNG PATIENTS OF UCSF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Nov. 28, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
San Francisco's most recognized Christmas tree will be officially lit in Union Square. Macy's gift to the city, a 75-foot Silver Tip tree from the Carlton Tree Farm in Mount Shasta will be adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and 1,500 red and gold ornaments. For the sixth year, Macy's has made UCSF Children's Hospital the beneficiary of its annual tree lighting. For $5, anyone can sponsor a light bulb to illuminate the tree; all proceeds go directly to the UCSF Children's Hospital's palliative care program, which supports families whose children have life-threatening illnesses. There will be musical performances and of course, Santa Claus will lead thousands of holiday revelers in a spirited countdown before throwing the switch to light the tree.
SANTA'S HOUSE
Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, 2008
Santa's House will be in Macy's Holiday Windows on O'Farrell Street of Macy's Union Square store.
Seattle
MACY'S HOLIDAY PARADE
Nov. 28, 2008, 8:45 a.m. (broadcast live by KING5-TV)
The balloon floats and inflatables are making their annual appearance in this Seattle tradition and will incorporate more than 50,000 balloons to form giant floats. New this year is the Christmas Puppy Float, which will be accompanied by the Kitty Kat Float and cat, kitten, dog and puppy costumed characters as well as the Poinsettia Float accompanied by poinsettia umbrella dancers and potted poinsettia plant costumed characters. Other floats include a giant gingerbread house, three larger-than-life inflatable FrangoTM boxes, Ukrainian Nesting Dolls and Pacific NW Ballet's Nutcracker.
HOLIDAY STAR LIGHTING AND FIREWORKS
Nov. 28, 2008, 5 p.m.
Macy's continues the tradition of the annual Holiday Star Lighting Ceremony. Held in conjunction with the Downtown Seattle Westlake Center tree lighting, the Holiday Star Lighting Ceremony will feature a spectacular fireworks display.
SANTALAND
Nov. 28 to Dec. 24, 2008
Come see Santa in his new home located in the new FAO Schwarz shop on the corner of Third Avenue and Stewart Street. Santa and his animated reindeer will be available for photos daily beginning on Nov. 28 after the Holiday Parade through Dec. 24.
HOLIDAY TRAIN
Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, 2008
The Holiday Train makes its annual debut after the parade in the corner window at Fourth and Stewart Streets. Special remote devices will allow spectators to operate the train during specially designated hours.
SANTA'S ALL-NEW HOLIDAY SHOW
Dec. 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2008
Join Santa and his helpers for their annual show in an all-new format, including reduced ticket prices and a Macy's gift card. This year, Macy's is proud to present Cabaret Productions' play "Holiday Ranch." To purchase tickets call 206.506.4FUN!
St. Louis
MACY'S HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Nov. 21, 2008, 5 p.m.
Macy's sponsors the annual St. Louis tradition that marks the official kick-off of the holiday season with the illumination of the downtown St. Louis city lights and festivities in Kiener Plaza. Santa will lead the guests to the downtown St. Louis Macy's store for fun activities for the whole family.
MACY'S HOLIDAY WINDOW UNVEILING
Nov. 21, 2008, 6:45 p.m.
Immediately following the Festival of Lights, guests will be led to the Macy's downtown store to unveil the animated holiday windows featuring "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." The tale will unfold in a series of five vignettes in the windows along Olive Street. Also, the American Flyer S. Gaugers model train club assembles an elaborate model train display for all to enjoy in the windows at Seventh and Locusts streets. The display tradition dates back to 1988 and features buildings in the display that create a local feel for the St. Louis area.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Saturdays- Dec. 6 and 13
Sundays- Dec. 7 and 14
For 20 years, Santa has made an appearance in downtown St. Louis for the Breakfast with Santa program at Macy's. The breakfast includes entertainment from magicians, jugglers, clowns and costumed characters, as well as a visit with Santa and sing-a-long time.
Washington, D.C.
CHRISTMAS WINDOWS AT MACY'S METRO CENTER
Nov. 25, 2008, 5 p.m.
It's a holiday tradition as the Christmas windows are unveiled to kick-off the holiday season! Macy's Metro Center Christmas windows this year follow the magical take of how iconic Christmas elements are made. From Christmas tree lights, ornaments and tinsel to snow and the tree topper, the story is about believing in the magic found behind-the-scenes of everything Christmas. Each window will showcase the machinery and other strange devices used to create enchanted Christmas elements. Afterwards, step inside for a live performance by R&B legend Brian McKnight as he performs tracks off his new holiday CD.
About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by four regionally based retail divisions - Macy's East, Macy's Florida, Macy's Central, and Macy's West - and an online store at macys.com.
For Macy's media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.
