NYC's Saks Fifth Avenue cancels iconic light show
Visitors to Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows in New York in 2016. Credit: Bruce Gilbert
Saks Fifth Avenue will be merry but less bright this holiday season.
The luxury store said in a statement that it will not produce its annual light show at its flagship Manhattan location, as they are "changing their approach" to this holiday season.
"In our 100th year, which also marks the anniversary of the flagship, we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the facade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known," a Saks Fifth Avenue spokesperson said.
The iconic light show was an annual draw for tourists. Saks' holiday windows will continue to be on display starting late November.
A spokesperson said the decision to nix the show was contemplated for some time, and the store acknowledged it has been "a challenging year for luxury.
"Like others, we are carefully managing our business to ensure the company is best-positioned for the future," they said.
Located directly across from Rockefeller Center, the colorful light show would flash high above the store’s window display. Last year’s show, as part of its Dior's Carousel of Dreams theme, the show included a massive celestial tableau showcasing signs of the zodiac of 300,000 LED lights and played every 10 minutes each evening, according to the Saks website.
Long Islanders said they were saddened to hear the news.
Natalie Caruso, 55, of Miller Place, said Saks holds a special place in her heart. As a little girl, her parents would take her into the city to see the displays, and she brought her own children when they were young and even now.
"It’s getting rid of tradition," said Caruso.
Randi Saliel, 60, of Port Jefferson, said she and her family visited the light show every holiday season before the pandemic. This year she was thinking of returning to see it.
"It’s kind of sad that it’s not going to be there anymore," said Saliel.
Steve Noon, 63, of Huntington, said "it's just too bad" about the light show, but he didn't think it should be the highest priority.
"I think New Yorkers and tourists expect the lights every year," Noon said. "But I wouldn’t want ... them cutting employees to support the cost."
Saks Fifth Avenue will be merry but less bright this holiday season.
The luxury store said in a statement that it will not produce its annual light show at its flagship Manhattan location, as they are "changing their approach" to this holiday season.
"In our 100th year, which also marks the anniversary of the flagship, we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the facade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known," a Saks Fifth Avenue spokesperson said.
The iconic light show was an annual draw for tourists. Saks' holiday windows will continue to be on display starting late November.
A spokesperson said the decision to nix the show was contemplated for some time, and the store acknowledged it has been "a challenging year for luxury.
"Like others, we are carefully managing our business to ensure the company is best-positioned for the future," they said.
Located directly across from Rockefeller Center, the colorful light show would flash high above the store’s window display. Last year’s show, as part of its Dior's Carousel of Dreams theme, the show included a massive celestial tableau showcasing signs of the zodiac of 300,000 LED lights and played every 10 minutes each evening, according to the Saks website.
Long Islanders said they were saddened to hear the news.
Natalie Caruso, 55, of Miller Place, said Saks holds a special place in her heart. As a little girl, her parents would take her into the city to see the displays, and she brought her own children when they were young and even now.
"It’s getting rid of tradition," said Caruso.
Randi Saliel, 60, of Port Jefferson, said she and her family visited the light show every holiday season before the pandemic. This year she was thinking of returning to see it.
"It’s kind of sad that it’s not going to be there anymore," said Saliel.
Steve Noon, 63, of Huntington, said "it's just too bad" about the light show, but he didn't think it should be the highest priority.
"I think New Yorkers and tourists expect the lights every year," Noon said. "But I wouldn’t want ... them cutting employees to support the cost."
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