Celebrate the holiday season in Chandler during the 68th Annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 7,  downtown. There's no charge for admission.

Performances from Kreative Dance Company, Modazz Dance Company and Chandler High choirs will kick off the festivities from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave.

The parade will begin at 6:45 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Tumbleweed Tree at about  8 p.m.

Event attendees are encouraged to arrive in Downtown Chandler early and find a spot to view the parade.

Five facts about the Tumbleweed Tree:

• The tree is 35 feet tall and 20 feet wide.

• It is made of nearly 1,000 tumbleweeds covered in 65 pounds of glistening glitter, 25 gallons of white paint and 20 gallons of fire retardant.

• The tree is wrapped in more than 1,200 LED lights.

• Past Chandler trees have been featured on several Travel Channel shows and Saturday Night Live.

• The Tumbleweed Tree debuted in 1957, making 2024 its 68th year.

Holiday festivities

Holiday revelers should plan to arrive early.

Get a free photo with the jolly old elf at Santa’s House, located next to the Community Center (closed from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. when Santa is in the parade).

Write a letter to Santa and then take your own photos with your family and friends at the Tumbleweed Tree and Holiday Magic featuring Sugarland displays, including a life-sized gingerbread house, an oversized cup of hot chocolate, a candy sleigh and more.

Children can visit the inflatable bounce area with activities and games that will require the purchase of tickets. Tickets will be sold at the event and proceeds will fund Downtown Chandler improvements.

Help the Chandler Fire Department “Stuff the Fire Truck” with new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to local children. The fire truck will be located on Arizona Place on the east side of Arizona Avenue, in front of the Alexander Building, from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

How to watch the parade

The Parade of Lights begins at 6:45 p.m. and will travel north on Arizona Avenue between City Hall and Chandler High School (Frye Road to Chandler Boulevard). Bring chairs and blankets and arrive early and get a spot along the route.

Watch more than 40 entries, including festive floats decorated with thousands of lights, festive dancers, spirited community groups and Santa’s arrival on a shiny red fire truck.

 Where to park

Plan to arrive early to find a parking spot. There are multiple locations with free parking, including five parking garages on the east and west side of Arizona Avenue.

The largest garage is at Oregon and Chicago streets  Visit chandleraz.gov/TumbleweedTree to view a list and map of available parking garages and surface lots.

Several streets in the downtown area will be closed to traffic.

For more information, such as street closures and general event information, including a complete entertainment schedule, visit chandleraz.gov/TumbleweedTree.

The tumbleweed tree will be on display through Jan. 5.

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