Martha Stewart to light Macy's Centennial Great Tree in world famous Walnut Room as visions of sugar plums dance in Macy's Nutcracker-themed holiday windows

Chicagoans and visitors alike will find plenty of reasons to visit Macy's on State Street this holiday season. From the Centennial Great Tree designed by Martha Stewart to the 40th Annual Animated Holiday Windows featuring the Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker, Macy's on State Street will certainly sparkle.

The Centennial Great Tree
To celebrate the centennial of the Great Tree holiday tradition, the Great Tree will be a two-story holiday vision in lights and color sparkling over the world famous Walnut Room—also celebrating its 100th year. This year's Centennial Great Tree at Macy's on State Street will feature Martha Stewart Collection kugels in an array of vibrant colors. Kugels, German for "balls," were first used as tree decorations in the mid-1800s. Martha Stewart is reviving the kugel this season, specifically to celebrate the centennial of the Great Tree and Walnut Room. In addition, Martha Stewart will visit Macy's on State Street and officially light the tree at noon on Nov. 10.

"The Great Tree has been celebrated and enjoyed by generations of Chicagoans during the holiday season for the past 100 years in Chicago, so we knew the Centennial Great Tree had to be absolutely magical and truly special," said Linda Piepho, vice president and store manager of Macy's on State Street. "We're honored to carry on this magnificent tradition as Macy's and are ecstatic about our partnership with Martha Stewart through her collection. It's a delight to see her vision shine on our Centennial Great Tree this year and we invite customers to dine or just relax under the Great Tree to celebrate this wonderful time of year."

The look and design of the Great Tree takes more than a year of planning. A team of 25 talented artists construct, light and decorate the tree in an around-the-clock 72-hour marathon. This year, Macy's has collaborated with Martha Stewart to design a spectacular tree featuring an assortment of kugels placed in horizontal bands of color creating an ombré effect on the 45-foot vision. From top to bottom, the color palette will feature silver, gold, green, blue, pink, and red kugels. Combined with 15,000 lights, a snowflake tree topper, also designed by Martha Stewart, and a snow dusted village at the base, the trimmings on the Centennial Great Tree will be a spectacle for all to see and enjoy.

The kugels, which are part of the Martha Stewart Collection exclusive to Macy's, are available for purchase as tree ornaments and oversized decorative accents at Macy's on State Street, Water Tower Place, and Oakbrook. Visit www.macys.com for store locations and hours. The Centennial Great Tree will be on display at Macy's on State Street from Nov. 10, 2007 through Jan. 6, 2008.

The 40th Annual Animated Holiday Windows
In celebration of the Joffrey Ballet's 20th anniversary production of The Nutcracker, Macy's on State Street will feature Robert Joffrey's The Nutracker in nine animated windows down State Street this holiday season as well as serve as program sponsor for the world-renowned ballet's 20th anniversary production.

"Macy's has a long-standing tradition of supporting the arts in the Chicago community, and it's a true honor for us to partner with this Chicago institution," said Piepho. "We're not only proud to sponsor the Joffrey's 20th Anniversary production of The Nutcracker, but also to share their classic story in our animated holiday windows with millions of Chicagoans and visitors from across the country who see our spectacular windows each year."

Macy's Chicago-based team of visual artists will pay tribute to Robert Joffrey's production and the historic traditions of The Nutcracker, telling the story through hand-sculpted figurines, spectacular costumes and exquisite scenery. Also featured will be several familiar Chicago landmarks paying homage to the traditions of the city, including the Auditorium Theatre and the Walnut Room.

The annual animated holiday window display at the State Street store began 40 years ago with the theme of "Santa's Theater of Christmas Joy." Since then, millions of guests have made a visit to the State Street store windows as a part of their holiday tradition. The windows will be featured at Macy's on State Street from Nov. 10, 2007 through Jan. 6, 2008.

Macy's and The Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker Packages
Macy's on State Street and The Joffrey Ballet are offering a special holiday package as part of thier partnership during the 20th anniversary production. The exclusive Macy's-Joffrey package includes box seating for four at a holiday performance of The Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theatre along with express seating and a prix-fix dinner for four under the Centennial Great Tree in the world-famous Walnut Room at Macy's on State Street.

Four gift bags will also be included. Each are filled with a $25 Macy's giftcard, a box of Frango® mints and an exclusive Martha Stewart holiday ornament. Holiday package for four: $147 per person ($588 total). This package can be purchased by calling The Joffrey Ballet at 312-386-8905. Seats are limited. All four box seats must be purchased with this offer - no single or double tickets are available.
This offer is good through Dec. 5.

Macy's on State Street is also offering another package this holiday season: the Free Wine or Dessert with Meal Package. Customers who dine under the Centennial Great Tree in the world-famous Walnut Room at Macy's on State Street after seeing The Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker are eligible to receive a complimentary glass of house wine or a piece of Frango® mint cheese cake with the purchase of an entrée by showing their Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker ticket stub. This offer is valid only on the performance date.

Cozy Cloud Cottage and Santa
Beginning Nov. 10, after a stroll down State Street to see The Nutcracker windows, customers are invited to Cozy Cloud Cottage in the fifth floor Children's Department to get their pictures taken with Macy's very own Santa Claus through December 24 during store hours. Since 1948, Santa Claus has visited millions of children at the Cozy Cloud Cottage.

Macy's has a long history with Santa Claus. In 1870, Macy's was the first department store to introduce an in-store Santa Claus. And in 1947, Miracle on 34th Street made Macy's and its Santa a must-see holiday destination.