Heather Headley To Headline Macy's Tree Lighting 11/27; National Plans Announced

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.

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 Frango^TM 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.

 

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