ATLANTA — One of the most longstanding Christmas traditions in Atlanta is coming to an end.
After 74 years, the Macy's Great Tree Lighting at Lenox Square has been retired, the store confirmed with 11Alive on Wednesday.
In a statement, the department store chain said they "evaluate our event programming and how we can best serve the metro-Atlanta community" each year.
The Macy's Christmas tree lighting began in 1948 when it first stood on top of Rich’s department store in Downtown Atlanta. When the store closed in 1991, the tree moved to Underground Atlanta until leaving for Macy's in 2002.
It then resided atop the Macy's at Lenox Square for over 20 years prior to it being retired in 2023.
Since it was moved, the Macy's tree has been lit up every Thanksgiving night at 7 p.m.
The announcement comes just days after Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced the iconic New Year's Eve Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta will not take place this year.
Dickens' office pointed to the collection of other events and commemorations held this year that required resources as one reason for the decision not to stage a Peach Drop this year.
Though the Macy's tree lighting and Peach Drop won't be around for Atlantans during the holidays this year - there are other traditions across the state where people could celebrate in similar fashion. From McDonough's Geranium Drop to Tallapoosa's Possum Drop, here's an eclectic list.
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