Old holiday light shows hold their own

Comcast’s glitzy 3-D holiday video production may offer a glimpse of Christmas future. But when it comes to wowing holiday crowds, there’s plenty of sparkle left in Philadelphia shows born in Christmases past.

Comcast’s glitzy 3-D holiday video production may offer a glimpse of Christmas future. But when it comes to wowing holiday crowds, there’s plenty of sparkle left in Philadelphia shows born in Christmases past.

The Comcast Building has an old tradition in a new suit – the 10 million pixel video wall in the lobby shows a clever and technically dazzling display of ice skaters and a simulated tobbogan run in 3-D.

To some, the Comcast display might make older holiday displays seem as threadbare as a velveteen rabbit. The animatronic characters of the Enchanted Village of the Lit Brothers department store are now installed at the Please Touch Museum, and Strawbridge’s Dickens Village has been adopted by Macy’s.

Of course the Center City Macy’s used to be Wanamaker’s, and it has refurbished the original Wanamaker’s animated light show. Vice-President Jim Kenny says nothing will best his show.

Kenney: It may be equaled, but it will never be topped. People will come for decades to come – kids today will come back with their kids. Even if Comcast has their show, we’re still the original and the best.

Kenny says the display has been fully restored, except for the water fountain show that used to accompany it.