Mesa's Merry Main Street presented by AT&T Fiber is a great way to celebrate the season! The spectacular east valley holiday tradition returns to downtown Mesa for the ninth consecutive year with several new attractions. Merry Main Street starts on Nov. 24 and continues through Jan. 6, offering an exciting variety of holiday activities:
Merry Main Street begins on Friday, Nov. 24. at 5 p.m. with holiday musical favorites by Mesa City Band at the Mesa Christmas Tree at Main Street and Macdonald. At 5:45 p.m., Mesa's premier holiday tradition kicks off with arrival of Santa Claus to light up the tree! Enjoy an evening of music, food and fun throughout downtown Mesa until 10 p.m.
The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink in Downtown Mesa features a 6,005 square-foot ice skating rink at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St. The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink will open daily for thousands to enjoy our amazing winter weather while gliding on the ice under the stars. There is limited walk-up ticket availability so online reservations are recommended. To purchase passes, visit merrymainst.com/icerink.
Mesa's giant Christmas Tree is the center point to our magical holiday tradition. The nearly four-story tall tree is located on Macdonald at Main Street and serves as the perfect backdrop to create family memories and take holiday photos.
More visits with Santa at a new location! This year, Jolly 'Ol Saint Nick will join us for free visits on Thursdays in addition to Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bring your cell phone or camera for pictures. This year, Santa will be taking gift requests from all the good boys and girls at The Post, the new City-owned community and event space, located at 26 N. Macdonald.
Of course there is Music at the Tree! This year, there will be live entertainment at Mesa's Christmas Tree on Fridays and Saturdays, beginning Nov. 25, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check the Merry Main Street calendar for more details.
New this year, the Holiday Sunset Market brings original and tasty gifts to Merry Main Street. Join us Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. between Nov. 30 and Dec. 21 at Main and Macdonald for an afternoon of local shopping. More than 30 local vendors will be selling fresh grocery products, tasty hot food, artisan goods and more. There will also be demonstrations and live music.
Santa's Merry Makers Marketplace. Local crafters and artisans will be selling their crafts and holiday foods near Mesa's Christmas Tree on Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Mayor Giles memorable and entertaining recount of Mesa's "The Man Who Killed Santa Claus" is back twice on Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Mesa Arts Center. The family-friendly event will also feature musical guests and will be recorded for a future episode of Mayor Giles' "It's Always Cool in Mesa" podcast. Tickets are available for $10 at Mesaartscenter.com.
New this year, Holiday Movies at the Plaza brings free festive movies to the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., every Saturday in December. The schedule is available on the Merry Main Street calendar. It's a great opportunity to watch while skating or bring your blankets to sit under the stars and enjoy holiday classics on the large screen on the side of the ASU Mix Center.
Mesa's Gnome on the Roam and one of Santa's favorite helpers, Bingles, will be roaming Downtown Mesa this holiday season. The adorable North Pole ambassador will stop at popular Mesa locations - or live shots - to spread holiday cheer. Follow @CityofMesa on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with his Main Street activities. Look for clues each week to win prizes.
The sELF-guided Reindeer Roll and Stroll in downtown Mesa is on Dec. 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join the City of Mesa's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program for this festive scavenger hunt for a chance to win great prizes, including a bicycle. Staff will hand out bicycle helmets during the event while supplies last. Team costumes are encouraged.
Start (or end) your journey along Merry Main Street at Jack Frost's Food Truck Forest at Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Mesa Temple Christmas Lights spectacular beloved community tradition is open nightly from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The annual light display features hundreds of thousands of colorful lights and is free.
Join us in celebrating the Festival of Lights on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. as we light the first candle on Mesa's Menorah. The 12-foot-tall Menorah, located on Main Street and Macdonald near the Mesa Mural, will have a light added nightly through Dec. 15.
Holiday Happenings at the MAC are back throughout December with popular holiday shows at the internationally acclaimed Mesa Arts Center Visit mesaartscenter.com for details and tickets.
Join us for the Mesa Santa Express and Market in our special Light Rail car, where we will sing songs, enjoy cookies and, best of all, meet Santa! Wear your pajamas and enjoy the season in the childlike and festive tradition of the Mesa Sana Express, which runs Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. While rides are free, a commemorative ticket is required. Donations are being accepted online to Mesa Urban Renewal and Arts Lab to maintain free rides in the community. Visit mesasantaexpress.com for details.
For a complete list of Merry Main Street activities, including dates and times, visit merrymainst.com.
PARKING/LIGHT RAIL
FREE parking is available in all open lots and on-street parking areas throughout downtown Mesa.
FREE light rail rides will be offered between Country Club Drive and Gilbert Road from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the following Fridays and Saturdays:
Nov. 24 - 25
Dec. 1 - 2
Dec. 8 - 9
Dec. 15 - 16
Dec. 22 - 23
SPONSORS
Merry Main Street presented by AT&T Fiber is in partnership with the City of Mesa, Mesa Parks and Recreation, Downtown Mesa Association, Visit Mesa, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, AMR, Delta Hotels, Boeing, Caliber, Nesbitt Contracting, Prensa Arizona, VCA Animal Referral & Emergency Center of Arizona and MT Builders.