Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 5. Admission is free. This event will also be the first chance for the public to see the renovations on the west side of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.
Downtown Chandler will be aglow with games and prizes, photos with Santa, and carolers on stage and roaming throughout the event from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive in Downtown Chandler early and have dinner, shop for gifts and find a spot to view the parade, which begins at 6:45 p.m. The lighting of the Tumbleweed Tree will take place after the parade at approximately 8 p.m. All celebrations will be taking place on the west side of Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.
Five facts about the Tumbleweed Tree:
- The tree is approximately 34 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
- It is made of hundreds of tumbleweeds covered in over 150 pounds of glitter, 25 gallons of white paint and 20 gallons of fire retardant.
- The tree is wrapped in more than 2,000 LED lights.
- Known nationwide, the iconic tree has been featured on several Travel Channel shows and Saturday Night Live.
- The Tumbleweed Tree debuted in 1957, making 2026 its 70th year.
Holiday festivities
Don’t miss free photos with the jolly old elf himself at Santa’s House, located near the Tumbleweed Tree (closed from 6:30-8 p.m. when Santa is in the parade).
Kids can also write letters to Santa and enjoy Holiday Magic featuring Sugarland displays, including a glowing light tunnel, a candy sleigh, a giant walk-through gift box and more.
Help the Chandler Fire Department by donating new, unwrapped toys that will be distributed to local children. The Fire Department booth will be located on the northside of the parking lot in front of San Marcos Resort, 1 N. San Marcos Place, from 4:30-9 p.m. collecting items for their annual toy drive.
How to watch the parade
The Parade of Lights begins at 6:45 p.m. and will travel north on Arizona Avenue between Frye Road and Erie Street. Bring chairs and blankets and arrive early to get a spot along the route.
Watch more than 50 parade entries, including floats decorated with thousands of lights, festive dancers and spirited community groups with Santa’s arrival on a shiny red fire truck as the grand finale.
Where to park
There are multiple locations with free parking, including five parking garages on the east and west side of Arizona Avenue, including the largest garage, Oregon Street. Visit Tumbleweed Tree to view a list and map of available parking garages and surface lots.
Several streets in the downtown area will be closed to traffic. The scheduled closures are as follows:
- 5 a.m. to midnight San Marcos Place closed between Boston and Buffalo streets
- 2-8:30 p.m.Arizona Avenue closed between Frye and Pecos roads
- 6-8:30 p.m. Frye Road restricted from Washington to California streets
- 2-10 p.m. Arizona Avenue closed between Frye Road and Chandler Boulevard
- 6-9 p.m. Chandler Boulevard restricted from Delaware to California streets
- 6-9:30 p.m. Arizona Avenue closed between Galveston Street and Chandler Boulevard
Several other smaller streets in the downtown area also will be closed or restricted during the festivities.
The 70th Annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights is presented in partnership with Chandler Lions Club, Chewy Vet Care, Semper Fi Heating & Cooling, Apex Windows & Bath, Raising Cane’s, SRP, and Downtown Chandler Community Partnership.
For more information showing street closures and general event information, visit Tumbleweed Tree.
The Tumbleweed Tree will be on display through Jan. 3, 2027.
Media contact:
Betsy Lizer
City of Chandler
480-782-2225