Celebrate the Holiday Season at Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa

November 19, 2025 at 3:26 pm

Mesa's Merry Main Street is a great way to celebrate the season! The spectacular East Valley holiday tradition returns to downtown Mesa for the 11th consecutive year, featuring several new attractions. Merry Main Street starts on Nov. 28 and continues through Jan. 10, offering an exciting variety of holiday activities:

• Merry Main Street begins on Friday, Nov. 28 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 the 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. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. To purchase tickets, visit merrymainst.com/icerink.

•Mesa's giant Christmas Tree is the centerpiece to our magical holiday tradition. The nearly four-story tall tree, located on Macdonald at Main Street, serves as the perfect backdrop to create family memories and take holiday photos.

• Visits with Santa are a Merry Main Street tradition! Jolly 'Ol Saint Nick makes free visits on Fridays and Saturdays. Bring your cell phone or camera for pictures. Santa will be taking gift requests from all the good boys and girls at The Post, the City-owned community and event space, located at 26 N. Macdonald.

• Santa Paws is a new attraction to Merry Main Street. Santa Claus will be ready to meet your furry friends every Sunday through Dec. 21 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., for a "paw-sitively" adorable holiday moment! Bring your phone or camera to snap the perfect free holiday photo of your pet with Santa Claus. Mesa Animal Control will have a booth at the Plaza to offer helpful information and resources before or after a festive photo of your furry friends with Santa.

•Mesa families can enjoy Breakfast with Santa on two consecutive Saturdays, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, at The Post, located at 26 N. Macdonald. Tickets are $15 for adults and children over the age of one. Tickets must be purchased in advance at mesaamp.com.

•The Holiday Sunset Market will take place on opening night, Friday, Nov. 28, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local crafters and vendors will be selling their crafts and holiday foods near Mesa's Christmas Tree.

•Live at Merry Main offers live holiday music at Mesa's Christmas Tree every Friday evening through Dec. 26. The music ranges from jazz to mariachi to country rock. Check the Merry Main Street calendar for more information.

•Holiday Movies at the Plaza brings free festive movies to the Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., every Friday from Nov. 28 through Jan. 2 plus Saturday, Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 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, stopping at businesses and attractions to spread holiday cheer. Follow @CityofMesa on Facebook to keep up with the whereabouts of the adorable North Pole ambassador.

•The sELF-guided Reindeer Roll and Stroll in downtown Mesa is on Dec. 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join the City of Mesa's MesaMoves 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 Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Mesa Temple Christmas Lights, a spectacular beloved community tradition is open nightly from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 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. 14 at 6 p.m. as we light the first candle on Mesa's Menorah. The 12-foot-tall Menorah, located on Main Street and Macdonald, will have a light added nightly through Dec. 22.

•Holiday Happenings at the MAC are back throughout December with popular holiday shows at the internationally acclaimed Mesa Arts Center. There will also be outdoor live entertainment on Fridays through Dec. 19 at the Alliance Stage and Alliance Pavilion. Visit mesaartscenter.com for details and tickets.

•Join us for the Mesa Santa Express 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. 12, 13 and 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 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. 28 - 29
•Dec. 5 - 6
•Dec. 12 - 13
•Dec. 19 - 20
•Dec. 26 - 27

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Celebrate the Holiday Season at Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa