Mesa Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Mesa, Arizona - AZ, USA)



Being situated within such close proximity to the giant city that is Phoenix does mean that the events scene in Mesa is somewhat overshadowed by its neighbor, where highlights include the Arizona Scottish Gathering and Highland Games. However, there are still a series of sizeable annual festivals to enjoy right here, and plenty of things to do all through the year, many of which are seasonal, such as the Great Arizona Bicycle Festival at the beginning of April.

There is often something current being screened at the city's numerous movie theaters, and frequent musicals, stand-up gigs and live performances are staged at the award-winning Mesa Arts Center on East Main Street. There are also a number of extremely popular concerts held at the Arts Center each year, such as the open-air Spring Out to Lunch (January to March) and Fall Out to Lunch (November and December,) which takes place at midday within the adjacent Wells Fargo Garden, part of the Shadow Walk.

Also staged at the Mesa Arts Center is the Spark Festival of Creativity, which is held here towards the end of March, during the lively Spring Break period. Spark offers the chance to participate in many hands-on activities, while there is also live jazz, rock and country music performed by by local artists and regional musicians.


Mesa Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

Another popular celebration staged at the Mesa Arts Center is the Dia de los Muertos Festival (Day of the Dead), which comes along each year towards the end of October. This is very much a family themed event, with live entertainment spread across two stages, as well as lots of dancers, street vendors selling food and an Altar Contest hosted by the Friends of Mexican Art (FOMA) organisation.

This festival is followed in early November by Asia Rocks, which originates from the mid-1990s and includes a Saturday Evening Extravaganza, along with Sculptures in the Streets, when the downtown district is filled with contemporary sculptures. And in December, the Live Nativity at the Boulder Mountain Christian Church on East McLellan Road is sure to leave you feeling festive, as will the Mesa Merry Main Street Celebration during the beginning of December.

Well worth looking out for each year in the middle of December is the Mesa Arts Festival at the Arts Center, which was first held here in 2004 and is a popular precursor to the holidays. The entertainment is spread across several different areas, including the North Patio Stage, the South Lawn Stage and the Wells Fargo Garden. Children will be drawn to the Bookmans Family Activity Area, with grown-ups appreciating the culinary offers.

Held on the first and third Saturdays between October and April (10:00 to 16:00), the Mesa Arts and Crafts Festival (MACFest) is a busy market with free admission, being based in the downtown district between West Main Street and West Pepper Place.