It's time to kick off the Holiday Season, as the City of Chandler celebrates with their annual Parade of Lights, and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony this Saturday, December 5, 2015.
This FREE celebration starts at 4:30pm, and continues through the night until 9:00pm. Come early to secure parking (parking is also FREE, but some roads will be closed for the event), and enjoy all the family friendly entertainment; including dance performances, 
music, Santa's House, and the beautiful Parade of Lights. Cap off the evening by watching the 59th official Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony. There will also be food and beverage vendors, as well as an opportunity to take your picture with the big guy himself, Santa Claus.
The event takes place at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park in Historic Downtown Chandler, located at 3 S. Arizona Avenue.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
Main Stage Entertainment
4:30pm to 4:50pm Stacy J Dance Group
5:00pm to 5:20pm The Dance loft
5:30pm to 5:50 pm Studio 3 Performing Arts Academy
6:00pm to 6:20pm Dance Connection 2
8:40pm to 9:00pm Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-A
East Performance Schedule
4:30pm to 7:00pm Chandler School of Fine Arts Suzuki Strings and Youth Concert Strings
Parade of Lights
7:00 p.m. With more than 50 entries, you are sure to enjoy watching all the floats, vehicles, and community groups lighting up the streets of Chandler with their creative display of holiday enthusiasm.
Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony - Dr. A.J. Chandler Park
8:00 p.m. Watch the most unique tree light up the night when the Mayor flips the switch and the holiday season in Historic Downtown Chandler officially begins.
OTHER FEATURED ACTIVITIES:
West Side of Arizona Avenue
Santa's Letters - FREE
- Make a letter for Santa and drop it in his mailbox.Santa's House - FREE
- Take a picture with Santa!
*Please note, Santa's House will CLOSE from 6:30pm to 8pm (Santa is in the Parade of Lights)Extreme Events Inflatables
- Wristband is $10 for all rides
East Side of Arizona AvenueSanta's Workshop FREE
- Make a holiday ornament to take home!
*Please note one free ornament per child. Available while supplies last. Combat Zero - FREE
- Laser TagPony Rides - FREE
How is this tumbleweed tree built?
It all starts when City of Chandler Parks Operations Division employees beging gathering and storing tumbleweeds from the outskirts of the City throughout the year. It takes around 1,000 tumbleweeds to adorn the wire tree frame, which stands 25 feet tall. Once attached to the frame, the tumbleweeds are sprayed with 25 gallons of white paint, 20 gallons of flame retardant, and dusted with 65 pounds of glitter. The final step is to adorn the tree with approximately 1,200 holiday lights, giving this tree its magnificent beauty. Since 1957, the City of Chandler has been the only southwestern city to have a tumbleweed Christmas tree.
Come celebrate a unique southwestern tradition that draws over 12,000 visitors from far and wide during the holidays, the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights.
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