Just a few weeks left before Queen Creek Christmas events

Queen Creek is gearing up for its major holiday events next month.

The week after Thanksgiving, the town will be holding its QC Hometown Christmas tree lighting followed the next day by the QC Hometown Christmas parade.

The tree lighting ceremony will run from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5 at 21802 S. Ellsworth Road.

At the tree lighting ceremony, along with performances from local groups, there will be a scavenger hunt, food trucks, photos with Santa and families can decorate ornaments and garlands at Santa’s Workshop.

The parade starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 at Ellsworth Road and south of Victoria Lane in the Town Center.

This year’s parade theme is “Rockin' Around QC.”

“Dust off those jukeboxes and get ready to rock 'n' roll with this fun theme based on that good old-fashioned '50-'80s holiday feel,” according to a town announcement.

This is the second year the town is hosting the Queen Creek Hometown Christmas celebrations.

In the past, the parade and the tree-lighting ceremony were held at the same time but since taking over, the town has split the activities into two different events.

With thousands of people expected to attend the tree lighting and parade, the town will be offering shuttles from off-site parking areas.

Shuttles will be available both days from Desert Mountain Park, 22201 Hawes Road and Banner Health Center, 21772 Ellsworth Loop Road.

Temporary road closures and parking restrictions will be in place before and during the parade. Closures from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. include:

• Ellsworth Road from Rittenhouse Road to Ocotillo Road
• Maya Road west of Ellsworth Road
• Victoria Lane west of Ellsworth Road

Closures from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. include:

• Ellsworth Road from Ocotillo Road to Aldecoa Drive
• Aldecoa Drive east of Ellsworth Road

The town has event, parking and shuttle maps to both the parade and tree lighting at tinyurl.com/2bwjpeez.