Kick off the Holiday season with Mayor Giles

Now in its third year, The Man Who Killed Santa Claus has become an annual Mesa tradition. Join Mayor John Giles for a holiday variety show featuring local actors and musicians, along with the radio-style performance of The Man Who Killed Santa Claus, a true story of triumph over failure set in Downtown Mesa dating back to 1932. Held immediately following the Christmas tree lighting as part of the Merry Main Street festivities, the event will include original live music by special guests. Tickets are available online, at the Mesa Arts Center Box Office and by calling 480-644-6500.

Merry Main Street Celebrates Hanukkah

Mesa will light the Hanukkah Menorah on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in front of The Post at 26 N. Macdonald. 

Rabbi Laib Blotner with Chabad-Lubavitch in Mesa will join Mayor John Giles for a brief ceremony that will feature the lighting of candles and the singing of three Hanukkah songs to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

4 p.m. - Hannukkah crafts inside The Post
6:30 p.m. - Menorah lighting program begins
Refreshments inside The Post after the program

Reindeer Roll and Stroll

Saturday, Dec. 9
4 - 8 p.m.
Downtown Mesa

Get ready to jingle all the way at the sELF-guided Reindeer Roll and Stroll! Join the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program for a festive scavenger hunt. Walk, bike or roll your way through the downtown area for a chance to win awesome prizes, including a new bicycle! Be sure to show off your holiday spirit in cheerful and fun team costumes. Need a helmet? We’ll be hosting a helmet distribution pop-up during the event while supplies last.

Emergency Rehabilitation Assistance Program: Relief for Homeowners

In an era marked by soaring costs, the burden of dealing with unexpected and expensive home repairs can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we offer a lifeline through the Emergency Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, which has proven invaluable to hundreds of Mesa homeowners in dire need of crucial home repairs—all at no cost to them.

Under this program, qualified applicants can access grants of up to $23,500 per household per year to address a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:

• AC/Heater Repair/Replacement
• Roof Repair/Replacement
• Water Heater Replacement
• Severe Electrical Issue
• Severe Plumbing Issue
• Accommodations to address accessibility issues for elderly and disabled

Throughout the current fiscal year, we have already completed numerous projects, encompassing the replacement of air conditioning units, roof repairs, plumbing system overhauls and various other essential repairs. This remarkable opportunity may already be benefiting your friends and neighbors, and you should not miss out. Take advantage of the Emergency Rehabilitation Program and secure the vital support you need to maintain your home's integrity and comfort, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

Make Mesa A Better Community with ABC Donations

Donations to the ABC, A Better Community utility donation program, aid Mesa residents in need and are tax deductible. During the past year, ABC donations have assisted Mesa non-profits with providing the following services:

• 127,747 meal services
• 955 clothing services
• 955 Empowerment Services

Help make Mesa A Better Community by making a donation today! You can make donations through a one-time contribution, or if you're a Mesa utility customer, you have the option to sign-up through your utility bill with an ongoing donation.

Team Up to Clean Up

Join us in making your neighborhood even more beautiful! At Code Compliance, we're excited to “Team Up” with local communities for our bi-annual neighborhood “Clean Up”. We carefully select neighborhoods based on specific criteria, and the timing of these projects depends on our available resources.

Before we begin a project in a neighborhood, postcards will be sent to all properties within the project boundaries.

Thirty days after the postcard is sent, our friendly team of Code officers will visit every property within the project area. If city code violations are found, they'll kindly inform the property owner and provide a packet containing valuable resources offered by the city. Plus, we'll schedule dates and times for delivering large roll-off dumpsters – all free of charge to the neighborhood – for disposal of any unwanted items and green waste.

Do you know of a neighborhood that could use some sprucing up? We'd love to hear your suggestions! Share your ideas for our 'Team Up To Clean Up' projects."

Carbon Monoxide Safety

There is no place like home for the holidays. As you prepare that delicious dinner for friends and family or curl up in front of the warm fire sipping on that tasty cocoa overflowing with marshmallows, ensure that your natural gas appliances are in good working condition.

If you use gas as your energy source, whether it be your stove, fireplace, furnace or any appliance using gas fueling, you are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning (CO).

When protecting those you love against CO, always follow manufacturers' instructions for installing, caring for, and using gas appliances and equipment and consider installing CO detectors. If you suspect CO is present, get fresh air immediately, seek medical attention for symptoms and call 911 or our emergency line at 480-644-4277.

Learn more about CO and how to recognize the symptoms.

Frying a Turkey for the Holidays?

Keep safety and recycling in mind if you are frying.

Review safety tips before you begin frying.

When you are done, recycling is the way to go! Oil and grease dumped down your drain will congeal and block pipes, causing nasty sewer backups. Avoid the mess and expensive plumbing bill, and recycle your fryer oil at the Household Hazardous Materials Facility open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. (except for the holiday closures Nov. 23, Nov. 24, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23.)

Parks Winter Activity Guide: The First of Its Kind!

The Winter Activity Guide is LIVE NOW and covers activities from December 2023 through February 2024.  Sign up for our winter activities and see why Mesa is Your Place to Play!

• Winter Break Camps
• Adaptive Recreation
• Aquatics
• Youth Sports
• Adult Sports
• Tennis & Pickleball
• Special Interest Classes AND MORE!

Winter registration will open for non-residents of Mesa on November 20.

Shop Mesa This Holiday Season

Not only is shopping locally convenient, it’s good for our economy and environment.

Our Mesa mom and pop shops and restaurants create jobs for our family and friends. They make our community special by providing uniquely Mesa experiences. And you don’t have to drive far or wait for your items to ship. That makes for a lower carbon footprint.

So shop local not just during Small Business Saturday, but also on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and every day!

If you don’t know where to start, come to Downtown Mesa or check out websites such as Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Visit Mesa or Local First Arizona to find some cool Mesa businesses.

Visit the New Mesa Express Library

The Mesa Express Library at Monterey Park, 7045 E Monterey Ave, is now open! The small, self-service library is a one-of-a-kind in Arizona. Expanded Access, a new service, enables patrons to access the facility during select hours using their library barcode and PIN. 

Before visiting the self-service library, sign up for Expanded Access with a staff member. Learn more at  Expanded Access.

Volunteers Needed to Help Mesa Students

Did you know children who can’t read at their grade level by 4^th grade are four times more likely to not graduate from high school? AARP Experience Corps is coming to Mesa in January 2024, and we need your help to make a difference in the lives of Mesa students. Experience Corps provides a meaningful volunteer experience for adults over 50 by training them to be reading tutors for elementary students in Mesa Public Schools. By volunteering just a few hours a week, volunteers have a life-long impact on the students they tutor. No experience or special skills necessary. Take the first step by signing up for an information session today—spots are limited, so sign up now! Find an information session near you.

Calling Mesa Small Business Owners

Did you know most businesses operating in the city require a Mesa Business License? Get yours for $10 in 2023. Plus, unlock valuable resources to help your business thrive - including the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program.  

Apply for your business license or read the FAQs