Merry Main Street, a holiday festival in downtown Mesa, is underway and will continue through January 10. The event features shopping, dining, entertainment, and seasonal activities aimed at attracting residents and visitors to the area.
Downtown Mesa has more than 40 restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, along with over 60 stores and businesses offering Christmas gifts and other merchandise. One highlight is the Holiday Sunset Market on Friday, December 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., where more than 30 local vendors will sell groceries, hot food, artisan goods, and more along Macdonald north of Main Street. The market will also include demonstrations and live music.
Santa Claus will be available for visits at The Post (26 N. Macdonald) on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., except Saturday, December 12 when he will appear from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. He will also be present on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for photos and gift requests.
In addition to traditional Santa visits, there are Santa Paws events scheduled for Sunday, December 14 and Sunday, December 21 from noon to 4 p.m., west of the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink. These sessions allow pet owners to bring their animals for photos with Santa.
The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink has expanded hours during the holidays; it will be open daily from noon to 10 p.m., starting December 22 through January 4 (with special hours on December 24 from noon to 6 p.m., closed on December 25).
Free Holiday Movies at the Plaza take place every Friday through January 2 at Mesa City Center’s plaza (56 E. Main St.) between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., allowing attendees to watch classic films outdoors or while skating nearby.
Live musical performances are scheduled every Friday through December 26 near the Christmas tree on Macdonald Street as part of Live at Merry Main Street.
Other attractions include appearances by Bingles—Mesa’s “Gnome on the Roam”—who will visit various businesses throughout downtown this season.
Holiday shows are being held throughout December at the Mesa Arts Center; details are available at mesaartscenter.com.
Merry Main Street is organized in partnership with several organizations including the City of Mesa; Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Downtown Mesa Association; Visit Mesa; Mesa Chamber of Commerce; Benedictine University; Google Fiber; Nesbitt Contracting; Sysco; and VCA Animal Referral & Emergency Center of Arizona.
The Arizona Parks and Recreation Association recently honored the City of Mesa with its Outstanding Special Event Award for cities with populations over one hundred thousand people in recognition of Merry Main Street’s success as a six-week annual festival that has been held since 2015.
