The Outlets at Anthem, known for making the holidays grand by showcasing the tallest fresh-cut decorated Christmas tree, has done it again. The annual tree arrival ceremony will take place on Oct. 20 starting at 6:30 a.m.

This year’s tree arrival celebration will feature a hot chocolate station, carolers, Santa arriving on a firetruck with his reindeer leading the morning, kids’ crafts, a special unveiling of a LEGO tree village from Cactus Brick and fun for the whole family.

When the tree arrives it will take a 10-person team more than 120 hours over two weeks using mobile cranes to shape and decorate the 22-foot-wide tree. A total of 80 strands of LED lights stretching 8,000 feet and more than 5,000 ornaments and bows will decorate the tree. Once fully adorned with lights and ornaments, the tree will weigh 4 tons and be ready to welcome guests and shoppers to the 15th annual Christmas tree lighting event featuring national artists such as Disney Channel’s Raini Rodriguez and fun for the entire family on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016.

We look forward to the tree’s arrival which kicks-off our most festive season,” says Outlets at Anthem marketing director, Sallyann Martinez. “Our holiday events have long-been a family tradition in Arizona, drawing visitors from around the state and attention from across the nation.”

A special viewing section will be available for those that want to stay and watch the magic unfold as the Outlets at Anthem’s design crew decorates Arizona’s tallest fresh cut Christmas tree.

Starting Oct. 17, follow the tree’s 748-mile journey to Phoenix on the Outlets at Anthem’s website at outletsanthem.com, or on Facebook at facebook.com/outletsatanthem.

Outlets at Anthem, voted Best of the Valley Outlet Shopping Center, offers pedestrian friendly and pet friendly open air shopping of name brand fashions to residents and visitors alike. The center is home to more than 60 designer brand shops including Coach, J.Crew, Banana Republic Factory Store, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Columbia Sportswear, BCBGMAXAZRIA and Under Armour, among others. The center is located off 1-17, 15 minutes north of Loop 101, at the Anthem Way exit 229.