Phoenix area’s annual Tumbleweed Christmas Tree lighting set for weekend

PHOENIX — An East Valley city’s southwest-proud Christmas tradition — the annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade of Lights — will be held Saturday in Chandler.

The tree, made of 1,500 to 2,000 tumbleweeds gathered from around the city, has been a holiday fixture since 1957, according to Visit Chandler.

This year, tumbleweeds were collected from the streets by the Chandler Parks Division, the East Valley Tribune reported.

Tumbleweed tree going up in town. Beginning to look a lot like Christmas. pic.twitter.com/4czwIQsJEH

— Neal Zeller (@NealZeller) November 30, 2015

Around 1,200 lights decorate the tree, which has even been mentioned by National Geographic.

The tree lighting ceremony and parade will take place downtown on Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Gotta love downtown @cityofchandler at Christmas! pic.twitter.com/m6JI1aIqbn

— Ryan (@TweetinChandler) December 1, 2015

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