SE Valley Times

Visitors to downtown Mesa's Merry Main Street, presented by AT&T, will encounter familiar characters from the 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. Across the street, Rudolph is available for selfies at the Mesa Arts Center Alliance Pavilion. Other well-known holiday figures such as Yukon Cornelius, Sam the Snowman, and characters from the Island of Misfit Toys can be found around the ice rink, Mesa City Hall, and Mesa Arts Center.

The event also features large holiday ornaments from the 1960s and 70s that have been restored by Mesa Parks and Recreation staff. These vintage decorations are displayed at various locations including Main and Macdonald intersection, outside Mesa City Hall and Mesa Arts Center, and inside The Post where Santa visits every Friday through Sunday until December 22.

AT&T introduces a new attraction this year with a small sledding hill made of artificial snow on Pepper Place. It will be open to all ages on December 13, 14, 20, and 21 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Ice skating under the stars is available daily at The Plaza at Mesa City Center until January 11, excluding December 25. Holiday movies will be shown every Friday until January 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering a chance to skate or relax with blankets while watching classics on ASU Mix Center's large screen. All movies are closed-captioned for those who are hard of hearing:

- December 13: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

- December 20: A Christmas Carol

- December 27: Twice Upon a Yesterday Christmas

- January 3: Frozen II

For more details about Merry Main Street activities, visit merrymainstreet.com.

Merry Main Street is in partnership with several organizations including AT&T, City of Mesa entities, Downtown Mesa Association, Visit Mesa, and others.