Shop, Eat and Play at Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa

December 18, 2024 at 1:37 pm

Merry Main Street, presented by AT&T, activities are in full swing in downtown Mesa through Jan. 11. There are numerous opportunities to shop, eat and play!

Downtown Mesa offers more than 40 restaurants, coffee shops and bars offering a wide variety of food and drink choices.

Downtown Mesa has more than 60 eclectic stores and businesses for you to shop for Christmas gifts and other items.

The Holiday Sunset Market brings original and tasty gifts to Merry Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. More than 30 local vendors will be set up along Macdonald north of Main Street selling fresh grocery products, tasty hot food, artisan goods and more. There will also be demonstrations and live music.

A free Let's Play Drama Storytime is Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. on Macdonald next to Mesas Christmas Tree. This weeks featured story is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There will be a snow party and holiday playlist for kids to dance followed by a snow craft! Its presented by the Downtown Mesa Association in partnership with Mesa Arts Centers Literacy through Drama program.

There are just a few more visits with Santa before Jolly Ol Saint Nick heads back to the North Pole before Christmas. Santa will be at The Post, 26 N. Macdonald, Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21. from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 22 and Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take gift requests and pose for photos.

Not only is there skating in the desert, there is sledding in the desert. ATT, the title sponsor of Merry Main Street, has created a small sledding hill with artificial snow along Pepper Place. It's open to all ages Dec. 20 and 21 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink will have expanded hours during the holidays. Beginning Dec. 23, it will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 11.

Holiday Movies at the Plaza brings free festive movies to the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., every Friday through Jan. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The schedule is available on the Merry Main Street calendar. Its 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.

Live at Merry Main Street features musical entertainment every Saturday through Dec. 28 at the stage on Macdonald near the Christmas tree. The schedule is available on the Merry Main Street calendar.

Mesas Gnome on the Roam and one of Santas favorite helpers, Bingles, is roaming Downtown Mesa this holiday season. The adorable North Pole ambassador stops at businesses and attractions in downtown Mesa to spread holiday cheer. If you can find him and snap a selfie with him, you can win prizes, including a $250 grand prize gift card from Downtown Mesa Association merchants. Follow @CityofMesa on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with his whereabouts and learn more.

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.

For a complete list of Merry Main Street activities, including dates and times, visit merrymainst.com.

Merry Main Street, presented by AT&T, is in partnership with the City of Mesa, Mesa Parks and Recreation, City of Mesa Water Resources, Downtown Mesa Association, Visit Mesa, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Prensa Arizona, Delta Hotels, Benedictine University, Caliber, Legacy Traditional Schools, Nesbitt Contracting, Power Home Remodeling, Renewal by Andersen, Valley Metro, VCA Animal Referral & Emergency Center of Arizona, Sysco and Okland.