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December 2025
Happy December, neighbors!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Mesa! Our city is glowing with lights, music and community spirit, and I’m excited to celebrate this season with you. Merry Main Street kicked off this weekend with the annual tree lighting ceremony, live performances and a special visit from Santa. If you couldn’t make it downtown, there’s still plenty of time to join in the fun. From ice skating and movie nights and other family-friendly activities, this award-winning event runs through early January. You can find the full schedule at merrymainst.com.
Of course, the holidays are also a time to look out for one another and keep our neighborhoods safe and clean. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find helpful tips on properly disposing of cooking oil, Christmas trees, fireworks, batteries and more. Please remember: Mesa’s trash and recycling services run Monday through Saturday, including all holidays. To help our crews and avoid service disruptions, place your barrel at the curb by 6 a.m. on your normal collection day and make sure the lid can close all the way.
Finally, I want to remind you that the public comment period for Mesa’s proposed utility rate adjustments is coming to a close. Your input helps us plan responsibly for the future while maintaining the high-quality services our community relies on. To learn more about the proposal or submit feedback online, visit mesaaz.gov/Government/Management-Budget/Utility-Rates.
Thank you for staying informed and engaged. I hope you and your loved ones have a joyful, healthy and peaceful holiday season here in Mesa.
Sincerely,
Councilmember Alicia Goforth
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 Mesa's Merry Main Street is a great way to celebrate the season! The spectacular East Valley holiday tradition returns to downtown Mesa for the 11th consecutive year, featuring several new attractions. Merry Main Street starts on Nov. 28 and continues through Jan. 10, offering an exciting variety of holiday activities.
Mesa Celebrates $10 Million Mekong Plaza Expansion and 12 New Businesses in the Asian District
Mekong Plaza, a cornerstone of the Asian District Mesa, AZ and a regional destination for authentic Asian cuisine, groceries, and retail, has expanded with a $10 million capital investment, adding 32,000 square feet of new space and approximately 200 jobs.
 MesaMoves’ Reindeer Roll and Stroll
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The City of Mesa is kicking off the holiday season with the return of Reindeer Roll and Stroll, a free, self-guided scavenger hunt happening Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St.
Families and friends can roll, stroll and explore the holiday magic of Downtown Mesa's Merry Main Street, by starting at the registration table near the Winter Wonderland ice-skating rink.
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 Mesa Named 2025 Top Ten Digital City
Mesa is recognized as one of the top ten cities with a population of 500,000 or more in the Center for Digital Government's 2025 Digital Cities Survey Awards. The annual awards honor cities that are leveraging technology, data and innovation to improve government transparency and strengthen community engagement.
 Create Memorable Holiday Gifts at Mesa Public Library
Give gifts this holiday season that are both meaningful and wallet-friendly by creating custom, personalized and unique items in Mesa Public Library's makerspace, THINKspot!
THINKspot provides hands-on opportunities for creativity and experimentation, offering free training and access to high-tech equipment at no cost to library cardholders. Equipment varies by location, but each THINKspot offers a 3D printer, laser cutter, sewing machine, embroidery machine, vinyl cutter and an iMac with professional video and audio editing software.
Online trainings are available, and in-person classes this December include:
- Laser-Cut Ornaments at the Dobson Ranch Library, Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. and at the Main Library, Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. for adults (ages 18+)
- Holiday Card Making (using cut pieces from the Cameo vinyl cutter) at the Gateway Library, Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6pm for adults (ages 18+) and Saturday, Dec 13 at 3 p.m. for families
Registration is required at mesalibrary.org/events.
 Holiday Safety Reminders
- Don’t pour cooking oil down your drain. Instead, take it to the Household Hazardous Materials facility along with gifts containing rechargeable batteries and other hazardous materials. Holiday hours and limits apply.
- Avoid a visit from Mesa PD this New Years Eve. Review fireworks rules and safety tips and practice common courtesy for your neighbors. Before placing fireworks in your trash barrel, soak them in water overnight to prevent fires at your home or in Solid Waste collection vehicles.
- Whether you are leaving the house to go shopping or out for an evening of parties, lock your doors and windows. Don't leave the drapes open with your gifts in plain view. Gifts displayed around your tree is a pretty sight, but can also be tempting to burglars. It is better to scatter them around the house, in closets or cupboards, where they can't be easily seen.
- When shopping, use your trunk to keep packages out of sight. Make several trips to your car to deposit packages in the trunk. Don't allow your self to become to burdened with shopping bags that you become a target. Keep your car locked at all times. When walking through a parking lot, be aware of your surroundings. Walk with authority. Don't look like a victim.
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 Volunteer sign-ups for the 2026 Mesa - East Valley Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade will open on December 15th. Visit mesaaz.gov after that date to reserve your spot!
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 Throughout the year at ASA Now, we host free, fun-filled events for foster children and their families - like our upcoming Baseball Clinic and End-of-Year Party at Elevate Trampoline Park. These events build connection and community while offering kids a chance to just be kids.
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GAIN Night
It was wonderful to visit several GAIN block parties across District 5 and connect with so many neighbors. Thank you to everyone who opened their driveways, organized activities and partnered with Mesa Police and Fire to strengthen community safety and trust.
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EVIT Foundation Breakfast
I was honored to attend the EVIT Foundation Breakfast and learn more about how EVIT is preparing students for high-demand careers. The support of local businesses and community partners is helping our young people build bright futures right here in the East Valley.
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Veterans Day Parade
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the East Valley Veterans Day Parade. It’s always moving to see our community line the streets in gratitude for those who have served and sacrificed for our country.
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Apache Anniversary at Boeing
I was proud to join Boeing employees and community leaders to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the AH-64 Apache helicopter. Boeing has played a major role in Mesa’s economy and in our nation’s defense, and we are grateful for their continued investment in our city.
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AZPEI Innovation Summit
At the AZPEI Innovation Summit, I heard from Arizona’s leading innovators and entrepreneurs about how new technologies are shaping our economy. It was a great opportunity to highlight Mesa’s role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and high-quality jobs.
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Turkey Tuesday
Our community showed up in a big way for Turkey Tuesday this year. I was proud to join volunteers in donating turkeys and raising funds to help families enjoy a holiday meal.
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National League of Cities
I recently traveled to Salt Lake City for the National League of Cities conference, where local leaders from across the country shared ideas on housing, infrastructure and economic development. I came home with fresh ideas and best practices to support Mesa’s continued growth and quality of life.
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Mekong Plaza Expansion
It was exciting to celebrate the expansion of Mekong Plaza in Mesa’s Asian District. The new shops, restaurants and services will bring more jobs, more visitors and even more incredible food and cultural experiences to our community.
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Mesa has projects in all stages of the development process from planning to construction. Our Active Development Map offers you the chance to take a look at the latest Mesa projects coming to a street near you. Each project overview includes the location, project acreage, and the planned use. Take a tour today by clicking the map below.
Development Pre-Submittals
Did you know every new development in Mesa starts with a pre-submittal application? This helps clarify important next steps in the development process and offers valuable insight for residents, too. You can learn more about the pre-submittal conference process, view recent applications below, or explore more detail through our publicly accessible DIMES portal.
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December 5 – Trees Are Cool Presents: Get Answers, Get Planting
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. • Christopher J. Brady Park (7045 E Monterey Ave)
Learn how to choose, plant and care for shade trees, chat with an arborist and see how trees support Mesa’s Climate Action Plan.
December 5 – MesaMoves’ Reindeer Roll and Stroll
4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. • The Plaza at Mesa City Center (56 E Main St)
A free, self-guided scavenger hunt through Merry Main Street with festive challenges, prizes and a focus on safe, active transportation.
December 6 - Gateway Library Grand Opening
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. • 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway
Come out to celebrate the opening of Mesa's first new full-service library in more than 25 years! The celebration begins with a ceremony and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., followed by family-friendly activities and Library open house until 2 p.m.
December 13 – Merry Main Street STEAM
5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. • Neon Garden (26 N Macdonald)
Stop by Mesa Public Library’s booth for a quick, family-friendly STEAM activity and make your own “bubble garland” with a holiday twist.
December 14 - Menorah Lighting
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. • The Post (26 N. Macdonald)
Join us in celebrating the Festival of Lights as we light the first candle on Mesa's Menorah. The 12-foot-tall Menorah, located on Main Street and Macdonald, will have a light added nightly through Dec. 22.
December 19 – Teen Skate at Merry Main Street 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. • Winter Wonderland Ice Rink (20 E Main St) Teens can lace up and skate under the lights at Merry Main Street’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, with music and plenty of holiday cheer.
Through January 10 – Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa Various times • Downtown Mesa Ice skating, Santa photos, live entertainment, shopping and more fill Downtown Mesa all season long during this award-winning holiday celebration.
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 December Council Meetings
Monday, December 1 - 5:45 p.m.
Monday, December 8 - 5:45 p.m.
December Study Sessions
Monday, December 1 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 4 - 7:30 a.m.
Monday, December 8 - 5:00 p.m.
*Meetings subject to start time changes
The Mesa City Council holds two Council meetings a month, in addition to weekly study sessions. Learn more about the process for public participation in meetings. City Council and advisory board meetings will operate on a hybrid system.
Mesa broadcasts its council and study session meetings live on Mesa Channel 11's YouTube page and Facebook.
Council agendas.
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