Wanamaker Light Show, Dickens Village Return to Philadelphia

The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village, two Philadelphia holiday traditions, are returning to the Wanamaker Building this holiday season. This announcement was made during a preview party on Monday, Nov. 24.

The Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building is alive again with the sights and sounds of the holiday season as the two attractions returned only months after Macy's closed the flagship store along Market Street.

Kathryn Ott Lovell, president of Philadelphia Visitor Center, helped organize a massive fundraising effort to save the light show. She credits more than 1,000 Philadelphians who helped raise $600,000 to put on the annual exhibit.

"This is a huge tourism driver in Center City around the holidays. And so important for us to keep that going, not just as a tradition, but as an economic driver for all of the small businesses throughout Center City, the bars, and the restaurants, and the retail stores," Lovell shared with CBS News Philadelphia.

The Wanamaker Grand Court organ will provide music for the show, and Dickens Village will bring Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to life for visitors.

Longtime attendees describe the tradition as nostalgic and magical, with many having visited for decades and considering it essential to their holiday experience.

The Wanamaker Light Show returns on Black Friday, Nov. 28, for select days through 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Dickens Village opens on Friday as well. Free timed tickets are required to visit the experience.