Lance Sugarman carries a special secret on his sleeve—literally. On his left bicep, he proudly sports a 10-by-4-inch tattoo of the iconic Macy’s Christmas Light Show, a beloved tradition that has been a part of his family’s holiday celebrations for years. For Sugarman, the tattoo is much more than just an image of lights; it’s a symbol of his family, his love for Christmas, and his deep connection to Philadelphia.
The design is meticulously detailed, right down to the exact time shown on the clocks during the grand finale of the kitschy, low-tech lightbulb display. To Sugarman, this light show represents the heart of his family’s holiday traditions, bringing them together year after year. “It’s weird to talk about. It’s literally just lights on a wall but it’s so much more than that,” Sugarman said. “It’s a place that’s special to us. It represents our family and our traditions. It’s where we’re all together.”
The tattoo is a way for Sugarman to honor those memories, and he’s not shy about sharing it with others who share his love for Christmas, Philly, or the Macy’s holiday tradition. For those who appreciate the holiday spirit as much as he does, Sugarman rolls up his sleeve to reveal his permanent tribute to the show.
However, when news broke that Macy’s is closing its Center City store—where the light show has been a centerpiece for nearly 70 years—Sugarman and his wife, Blair, found themselves grappling with a flood of emotions, just like many Philadelphians. “How do you replace a whole day of nostalgia?” Blair Sugarman asked, voicing a sentiment felt by many who hold the light show dear.
A Tradition Passed Down
The Sugarmans, who grew up in Northeast Philadelphia, have attended the Macy’s Light Show since they were children. It became an even more cherished tradition when they began dating and later, when they had children of their own. Now, their children, Cooper (12) and Paisley (11), join in the annual pilgrimage to Macy’s, making the event an even more integral part of their family’s holiday celebrations.
But they don’t just go to the light show; they go all out. The Sugarmans arrive in their “Christmas finest”—no cheesy snowflake sweaters here. Think full-body Elf costumes or velvet Christmas tracksuits. Afterward, they visit the Reading Terminal Market for lunch, sometimes stop by the Gallery (which Lance refuses to call the Fashion District), and catch the LED holiday show at the Comcast Center (despite Lance’s critique that it’s “too new-edge”).
Still, the highlight of the day is the Macy’s Christmas Light Show and Dickens Village. The Sugarmans always secure a spot on the third floor, directly across from the show. For Cooper, who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum, the light show offers a sensory experience that he adores, while Paisley, who is high-functioning and emotional, loves the historical aspects of the show. “It’s so nostalgic and pure, there’s nothing like it,” Lance Sugarman reflected. “It’s a scary world and that place is very safe.”
More Than Just a Show
Each family member has their favorite part of the light show. For Cooper, it’s Rudolph; for Paisley, it’s the Nutcracker; Blair loves Julie Andrews’ narration; and Lance’s favorite moment, now that the “Dancing Waters Enchanted Fountain” was removed in 2000, is the train at the top of the display.
After the show, the family strolls through the Dickens Village to visit Santa, collect their annual Macy’s Santa pin, and pick out an ornament for their Christmas tree—another ritual they cherish. Over the years, the Sugarmans have collected enough Santa pins to hang them on a ribbon on their tree, a tangible reminder of the memories they’ve made year after year.
For Sugarman, the Macy’s Christmas Light Show is not just a holiday spectacle; it’s a touchstone for his family’s traditions and memories. The tattoo that celebrates it is a way to preserve those memories for a lifetime. It’s a tribute to what Christmas—and family—mean to him. And as the future of the show remains uncertain, Lance Sugarman’s tattoo stands as a permanent reminder of the joy and nostalgia that the light show has brought to generations of Philadelphians, including his own family.
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