Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100-year-old New York City Christmas tradition gets canceled

  • Saks Fifth Avenue has hosted a light show at its downtown location for the past century
  • But the beloved Manhattan vacation spot won’t be happening this year
  • Social media users are distraught over the news, calling it the ‘end of an era’

Tourists are devastated after it was announced that an iconic 100-year-old Christmas tradition in New York City has been canceled.

Every year for the past century, Saks Fifth Avenue has filled visitors and Manhattan residents with holiday cheer through its beloved festive light show.

But the luxury goods chain has announced that the annual event, which took place in front of its downtown flagship store, will not take place this year – and social media users are distraught over the news.

A spokesperson for the branded clothing retailer told DailyMail.com on Monday that ‘it has been a challenging year for luxury’ and that the company is making the necessary adjustments to ‘ensure the business is best positioned for the future’.

Afterwards, fans of the “holiday chapter” took to Reddit to express their disappointment.

Every year for the past century, Saks Fifth Avenue has filled visitors and Manhattan residents with holiday cheer through its beloved festive light show

“Damn, that’s sad. It was a staple of the holidays in the city,” one person wrote.

“Can we please have one good thing in the world?” asked another.

‘It was the only reason I took my kids [Rockefeller Plaza] every year. The tree alone is just meh,” someone else shared.

‘End of an era. Tragic,” read a fourth comment, while a fifth said: “No fucking joke, I thought the last few years were the best. This is a huge setback.’

“I really enjoy seeing this and the tree every holiday season. I’m going to miss it,” said another user.

‘This was always part of the magic of the city at Christmas, and something I enjoyed bringing visitors to. Really sad to know it won’t be there this year,’ someone else agreed.

Although Saks’ Fifth Avenue location — which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year — won’t have an annual festive light show, it will still have some Christmas decorations on display.

The company said in a statement that it plans to ‘elegantly illuminate’ the facade and add festive accents to the shop windows.

But the high-end department store chain has announced that the annual event has been canceled this year - and social media users are distraught over the news. Last year's show can be seen

But the high-end department store chain has announced that the annual event has been canceled this year – and social media users are distraught over the news. Last year’s show can be seen

1731583315 48 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

1731583316 400 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

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1731583318 364 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

1731583320 423 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

1731583321 282 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

1731583322 309 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

1731583323 177 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

1731583324 310 Tourists are left devastated after iconic 100 year old New York City

Fans of the

Fans of the “holiday chapter” have taken to Reddit to express their disappointment

“We celebrate the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly lighting the facade and framing the Christmas windows, and highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known,” the company said in a statement .

“We look forward to welcoming customers to our windows all season long and invite them to discover inspiring gifts and unique holiday offerings at the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship.”

Last month, Saks debuted the Gifts of Delight campaign, which aims to “spread joy and inspire customers with spectacular deals all season long.”

Emily Essner, the chief marketing officer at Saks, said the store “looks forward to capturing customers’ imaginations and sparking feelings of joy, curiosity and delight through compelling content and memorable experiences.”

“As a leading voice in luxury fashion, our priority is to ensure luxury shoppers receive comprehensive holiday selection and inspiration throughout their shopping journey, whether they are purchasing gifts for themselves or others,” she added.