Visitors to Merry Main Street in downtown Mesa will encounter characters from the classic “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” television special. Bumble the Abominable Snow Man greets ice skaters at the Winter Wonderland ice rink and moviegoers at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, located at 56 E. Main Street. Rudolph is stationed across the street at the Mesa Arts Center Alliance Pavilion, where visitors can take photos. Other characters, including Yukon Cornelius, Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Misfit Elf, and figures from the Island of Misfit Toys, are also present at various locations such as the ice rink, Mesa City Hall, and Mesa Arts Center.
Large holiday ornaments that originally decorated Main Street during the 1960s and 1970s have been restored by staff from Mesa Parks and Recreation. These vintage ornaments are now displayed on all four corners of Main and Macdonald streets, at the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, and inside The Post at 26 N. Macdonald. Santa Claus visits The Post every Friday and Saturday through December 20th as well as on December 24th.
The Plaza at Mesa City Center offers daily ice skating under the stars until January 10th, except for December 25th. Holiday Movies at the Plaza features screenings every Friday through January 2nd on a large screen provided by ASU Mix Center; all movies include closed captions for those who are hard of hearing. The schedule includes “How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” on December 19th, “Elf” on December 26th, “Beauty and the Beast” on January 2nd, and “Frozen” on January 9th.
Merry Main Street is organized in partnership with several entities: 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 (APRA) has awarded the City of Mesa its Outstanding Special Event Award for cities with populations over 100,000 in recognition of Merry Main Street’s success. According to city officials: “The six-week holiday festival has been lighting up downtown Mesa each winter since 2015.”
For more information about activities during Merry Main Street visit merrymainstreet.com.
