This December, Mesa will end the year with a festive bang.
Holiday happenings, downtown festivals and creative workshops are bound to keep residents and visitors entertained through the rest of 2018.
Put on your candy cane pajamas and hop on the Polar Express Light Rail car to visit Mesa’s annual Merry Main Street, which runs through Jan. 4. Start with ice skating at the Winter Wonderland outdoor ice rink at Mesa’s City Plaza, and then grab a treat and some cocoa from Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest in Pioneer Park.
The local shops in Downtown Mesa also will be bustling, offering the chance to snag last-minute gifts for your friends and family. Take out-of-town guests to visit the four-story tall Christmas tree in the center of it all, and if you run into Santa on Friday or Saturday, be sure to snag a sELFie with him at one of the many photo stations.
Add the i.d.e.a. Museum and Arizona Museum of Natural History to your list, and visit on Museum Discover Day, Friday, Dec. 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. Both museums will offer free admission during this short time period, and they are the perfect spots to pick up last-minute gifts for the budding scientist or curious artist.
The festivities continue at the Mesa Arts Center (MAC), with a full entertainment lineup. December performances kick off with Trey Anastasio on Dec. 3, and the fun continues with Sing!—An Irish Christmas on Dec. 5. On Dec. 9, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Musical will show before a magical concert by Salt River Brass’ Holiday Pops.
Dave Santa Koz and Friends also will be returning to MAC on Dec. 15, followed by several performances of The Nutcracker by Ballet Etudes, a performance of All Is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914 on Dec. 18, Jason Mraz and Toca Rivera on Dec. 21 and Home Free on New Year’s Eve.
If you find yourself wanting more, save room in your schedule for Mesa Arts Festival, on Dec. 8 and 9. The festival will offer activities for the family, artist demonstrations, live entertainment and culinary delights to enjoy.
It has been a pleasure to serve as your vice mayor and councilman this year. I want to wish you and your family best wishes for a merry holiday season and throughout the coming year.
With any questions or concerns you may have for District 5, I am available via email at District5@MesaAZ.gov or via phone at (480) 644-3771.