Saks Fifth Avenue has called off its famed Christmas light show at its flagship location in New York City after nearly two decades of captivating displays, allegedly as a part of a broader cost-cutting strategy, as reported by The New York Post.
A spokesperson for Saks confirmed the news on Monday, explaining that, after years of featuring the festive light show, the company had been reevaluating its approach to the holidays. “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”, the representative said. Instead of the dazzling light spectacle, this year’s celebrations will focus on elegantly lighting the façade, accentuating the iconic holiday windows, and showcasing the high-end fashion Saks is renowned for.
The department store chain also acknowledged the broader challenges facing the luxury retail sector this year. “Like others in the industry, we are carefully managing our business to position ourselves for future growth,” the Saks spokesperson added.
The decision to cancel the light show reportedly came only in recent weeks, after an October press release had announced that Saks’ holiday campaign would continue in 2024, with MasterCard returning as a sponsor for the 15th consecutive year.
While the iconic light display is no longer part of the season’s festivities, Saks has promised an equally stunning window display. This year, the windows will showcase “outstanding pieces from the top names in luxury,” complemented by silver harlequin flooring, vibrant snowflakes, and dichroic vinyl accents, according to the spokesperson.
The light show, which had become a staple of New York’s holiday season since its debut in 2004, had attracted large crowds, particularly near the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Initially, the display consisted of 50 giant snowflakes set to the music of “Carol of the Bells,” but over time, it evolved to include digital projections in 2010 and, by 2015, a combination of both physical and digital effects.
Last year, the show featured a collaboration with Dior, dubbed “Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks,” and included a grand fireworks display. The light show itself spanned the building’s 10-story façade and was powered by 300,000 LED lights synchronized to holiday music.
