Fun Facts about the Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta

Fun Facts about the Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta

Every year, on Thanksgiving night, "rain or shine",  Atlanta celebrates the tradition of the Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square Mall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.  This great tradition, started all the way back in 1948, as a suggestion by Rich's former head of advertising, Frank Pallotta.

The Macy's Great Tree has resided at many locations throughout it's history in Atlanta, but has been located on top of Macy's at Lenox Square Mall since 2000.  

Let's trace back to when the tradition began, and see all of the locations that the Macy's Great Tree has been displayed....

1948  -  the four-story "Crystal Bridge", which connected the original Rich's department store to a new building addition on Forsyth St

1991  -  moved to Underground Atlanta when Federated Department Stores closed Rich's downtown location.

2000  -  moved to the rooftop of Macy's at Lenox Square Mall, located in Buckhead.   

Stores were called "Rich's - Macy's" for several years until 2006, when the Rich's name was dropped and the chain would then be known simply as "Macy's".

The Macy's Great Tree is made of pine and stands between 70-90 feet tall, and is preselected over a year in advance.  They say that the Macy's Great Tree contains several miles of  electrical wiring, hundreds of basketball-sized  Christmas ornaments, thousands of Christmas lights, mirror balls, and strobes!  This tree supposedly drinks hundreds of gallons of water everyday, and several bottles of aspirin, mixed in with the water, in order to keep the tree fresh.  Hey, if you had to show off this huge display of flashing lights and decor everyday for over a month, you might need some aspirin too! 

Over the years, attending this Christmas event in Atlanta has become quite a popular tradition amongst Atlanta residents.  The ceremony has been televised since the early 80's on WSB-TV now hosted by Monica Kaufman, and features christmas carols sung by local musicians, celebrities, and choirs.   The grand finale of the lighting of the Macy's Great Tree is when the highest note of the Christmas carol, "O Holy Night", is played, the Macy's Great Tree lights up and stays lit every night through the New Year's Eve in Atlanta.  By the way, Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta doesn't disappoint it's guests with the fireworks show either!    You will see a spectacular display of Christmas music, Lights, and Holiday Cheer at this event!  Don't forget to take the kids by to ride The Pink Pig, another one of Atlanta's greatest Christmas traditions.

Lenox Square Mall is proud to host this event as one of the biggest annual Christmas events in Atlanta.  Lenox Square Mall is one of the finest of many malls in Atlanta, where you will find some of the best shopping in Buckhead!