Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Considered one of the top holiday traditions in the south for nearly seven decades, the Macy’s Great Tree Lighting will once again kick off the holiday season spirit on Sunday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. Live performances by soul singer Aloe Blacc, country artist Craig Campbell and GRAMMY Award-winning artist and actress Michelle Williams will headline the beloved holiday celebration, joining the Macy’s All-Star Holiday Choir, the Macy’s Great Tree Children’s Choir, the Macy’s Magical Stars and of course Santa himself will make an appearance during the show.
Macy’s has brought the magic of the holiday season to generations of Atlantans, and this year marks the 69th year with the Great Tree lighting up the city’s skyline. The event takes place at Macy’s Lenox Square Mall at 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 20, 2016. A pre-show concert featuring performances and behind-the-scenes interviews by the evening’s entertainers will begin at 6:30 p.m. The celebration will be capped off with a fantastic fireworks finale set to holiday music – a moving and memorable way to kick off the holiday season! The Great Tree will be on display from Sunday, November 20 through January 1, 2017.
“During the holidays, Macy’s is known for our magical holiday experiences. We are pleased to continue to be a part of Atlanta’s most cherished tradition of the season for our customers and the community with the 69th annual Macy’s Great Tree Lighting,” said Dennis Witte, Macy’s executive vice-president and regional director of stores.
Again this year, Macy’s will light an ecologically-friendly, reusable tree which stands 56 feet tall and is adorned with 45,000 white and multi-color sparkling LED twinkle lights. More than 8 miles of light strings will be draped around the tree. The giant star atop the Great Tree will shine more than 56 feet above on the roof of the Macy’s at Lenox Square Mall.
For the last decade, young patients of the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta have served as the honorary tree-lighters. Helping to ‘flip the switch’ and illuminate the Macy’s Great Tree this year are Aflac Cancer Center patients Maybin Hornick and Abraham Carpenter.
