Kick Off the Holiday Season with a Sing-Along and Lighting of the State’s Tallest Christmas Tree

By Amy Wolff
Photos Courtesy of the Outlets at Anthem

It’s time again for one of the most wonderful traditions of the year – the lighting of the state’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree, located at the Outlets at Anthem. This year, there will also be a community sing-along to usher in the holiday season. The official lighting of the tree will take place Saturday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Those who have seen the holiday classic film Elf will remember Buddy’s famous mantra, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” That’s the inspiration for this year’s tree lighting ceremony at Outlets at Anthem. Whether you have the voice of an angel or only sing in the shower, it really doesn’t matter. The joy of voices coming together in song will yield the holiday spirit needed to light the tree this year.

“The last 18 months have been challenging for so many people,” says JoAnn Truax, director of real estate operations and marketing at Outlets at Anthem. “This holiday season we hope families and friends will join us at the annual tree lighting for an interactive audience-participation sing-along.”

This year’s tree stands 70 feet tall, 22 feet wide and weighs close to four tons when completely decorated. The spectacular white fir will be adorned with more than 5,000 ornaments and bows, LED lights that stretch more than a mile and a half, and a three-foot copper star at the top, a tribute to the state’s official metal.

“For 20 years, Outlets at Anthem has provided this festive and cheery holiday tradition, and this year is no different,” she adds. “We are proud to be home to the tallest Christmas tree in Arizona. It’s a sight to see, and we can’t wait to welcome the community to our open-air space where they can carry on their holiday traditions and create new ones with the ones they love.”

The sing-along and tree lighting event on Nov. 20 will include local singers, dancers and an emcee to lead participants in a songfest chock-full of some of the most beloved and recognizable holiday songs. Santa and his elves will be on hand to illuminate the tree and celebrate the start of the holiday season.

Outlets at Anthem is located in Phoenix off the I-17, just 15 minutes north of the Loop 101. For more information about all the holiday festivities, visit outletsanthem.com or facebook.com/OutletsatAnthem.