Mesa events, November 2026 to February 2027

Mesa's cool season is its busiest, and most of what fills the calendar from now through February happens within a few blocks of Main Street. Here is what is confirmed so far, with each date taken from the organizer's own page. Plans change, so check the listed page before you head out.

November: a parade, a market and the first lights

The 19th annual East Valley Veterans Parade steps off on Wednesday, November 11, in downtown Mesa. The route starts at Center Street and University Drive, runs south on Center to First Street, then turns west toward Robson. This year's theme ties military service to the nation's 250th anniversary. The parade is free, and the Arizona Museum of Natural History offers free admission that day to veterans and active military, along with up to six guests.

Two days later, on Friday, November 13, the Downtown Mesa Sunset Market sets up at Macdonald and Main with local vendors, handmade goods, food and live music. It returns on the second Friday of every month, so the same corner fills again on December 11, January 8 and February 12. Entry is free and pets are welcome.

On Tuesday morning, November 17, the City of Mesa and United Food Bank hold the 18th annual Turkey Tuesday at the Mesa Convention Center on East Third Place. Drop off a frozen turkey of any size during the morning window to help families in the community, or give online through the food bank.

Out at the city's northeast edge, Maricopa County's Usery Mountain Regional Park waives day-use entry on November 17 for National Take a Hike Day, and holds a Desert 101 hike, with registration required, on November 15.

Mesa Arts Center's stages stay busy all month. The Wiz plays the Ikeda Theater from November 20 to 22, and Mannheim Steamroller brings its Christmas show there on November 28 and 29.

Merry Main Street, November 27 through the holidays

Downtown's holiday season starts on Friday evening, November 27, with the Merry Main Street kick-off: a holiday market around Mesa's Christmas tree at Macdonald and Main, a holiday program and the lighting of the tree. It is free. Merry Main Street's own page also notes free light rail rides along Main Street between the Country Club Drive and Gilbert Road stations on Friday and Saturday evenings from November 27 through December 26, which makes it easy to leave the car at home. The festival's daily calendar, including the outdoor ice rink at the Plaza at Mesa City Center, is posted at its website.

On Monday, December 7, the city lights its 12-foot menorah in the Neon Garden at The Post on North Macdonald, with crafts before and after the program. A light is added each night through December 12.

From December 11 to 13, the Mesa Santa Express runs a decorated light rail car down Main Street in the evenings, with singing, cookies and a visit with Santa. Pajamas or dressy holiday clothes are encouraged, and riders need a commemorative ticket before joining the line. It is presented by Mesa Urban Renewal & Arts Lab, a local nonprofit.

December on stage

Ballet Etudes celebrates its 40th season of The Nutcracker with performances at Mesa Arts Center's Piper Repertory Theater from December 12 to 20, after its run in Chandler. Mesa Arts Center's season announcement also lists Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Band on December 6, Dave Koz's Christmas tour on December 16, the GENTRI holiday concert on December 18, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland on December 19 and Mickey Guyton's holiday show on December 21.

If you would rather look than listen, the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum has five exhibitions on view this fall, the earliest closing January 3 and the last on January 24, 2027. The museum stays open late on the second Friday of each month, which lines up neatly with the Sunset Market, and it offers free guided tours on Saturday afternoons.

January and February: big names and a downhill marathon

The new year brings Pink Martini to Mesa Arts Center on January 21 and Japan's KODO taiko drummers on February 9. Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández performs in the Ikeda Theater on February 19, and Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis closes the month on February 27.

On Saturday, February 13, 2027, the Mesa Marathon returns with a marathon, half marathon and 10K, plus a free Kids 1K. The city lists the finish at Riverview Park on Rio Salado Parkway, so expect road closures along the course that morning.

Where to eat before the show

Most of these events sit within walking distance of downtown's independent restaurants. Worth Takeaway, at 218 W. Main St., builds its sandwiches around local partners and calls itself a neighborhood spot; it is an easy lunch before the Veterans parade. Goat and Ram, a few doors east at 150 W. Main St., is run by a husband and wife and rotates specialty pizzas every two weeks, which suits a Sunset Market night. Que Chevere, at 142 W. Main St., serves Venezuelan arepas, empanadas and cachapas from the family that started it as a food truck, and it is a short walk from the Christmas tree.

Before you go

Times, ticket rules and routes can change, and some holiday schedules, such as the ice rink's daily sessions, are filled in closer to the date. The organizers' pages listed below are the place to confirm.