Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is looking forward to making merry at its fifth annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration -- a popular local charity fundraiser set to kick off this year’s festive season at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2.

The rapidly growing event, inaugurated several years ago with just a few dozen neighbors in attendance, now draws nearly a thousand Tucson area residents to an evening of fun, live entertainment from the Tucson Boys Chorus, Santa photo ops and special activities supporting area non-profits.

For the Tree Lighting Celebration, there is a $5.00 per person charge to attend, with the evening’s net proceeds to be donated to Fisher House, providing housing for area military families while their loved ones are in the hospital. Also that evening, the resort’s stuff-your-own-stuffed-animal station “Recruit-a-Ranger” will be available to choose from both indigenous animals and holiday character options, with $10 of the cost to be donated to HOPE Animal Shelter, the Tucson non-profit which suffered major storm damage following recent summer monsoons.

Event guests are invited to participate with personal giving as well, bringing canned food goods directly to the Tree Lighting; the resort will donate these goods to nearby Marana Food Bank. Guests are also encouraged to bring along school supplies for area teachers in need, with these donations to be delivered to Treasures4Teachers of Tucson. Additionally, the resort will provide event guests with postcards that can be completed for the enjoyment of U.S. Armed Forces stationed overseas during the holidays. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain will then send the postcards to troops in time for the holidays.

As for the evening’s entertainment, Santa will stop by for photos, the Tucson Boys Chorus will lead a singalong, Recruit-a-Ranger creation will enliven the lobby, a snow machine will delight, and The Chefs of The Ritz-Carlton will provide treats and refreshments for all in attendance. Guests also will be enchanted at the sight of a life-size, sugary sweet, giant edible cactus garden, to be crafted in the resort lobby especially for the holidays. The colorful spectacle will be made with vibrant and flavorful fondant and candy and will be created by a team of ten Ritz-Carlton culinarians, collaborating in sweet tribute to the flora and fauna of the Dove Mountain region.

The resort’s holiday tree is set to arrive from Oregon on November 26 and will be decorated on November 28, well in time for the December 2 illumination celebration. Self-parking is complimentary on the evening of the Tree Lighting.  Guests wishing to enjoy the resort’s signature-dining outlet, CORE Kitchen and Wine Bar, are strongly recommended to make reservations for this action-packed night.

For further details, call 1-520-572-3000, visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain or engage directly at https://www.facebook.com/ritzcarltondovemountain. Room reservations may be made online or at

1-800-241-3333. The resort is located at 15000 North Secret Springs Drive in Marana, AZ, just north of Tucson.