The day after Thanksgiving puts Christmas in full gear in Mesa as Merry Main Street kicks off Nov. 28 with the downtown transformed into a winter wonderland replete with a pop-up 6,000-square-foot ice rink – Arizona’s largest.

At the other end of Main Street, a tradition that began 46 years ago returns as the Mesa Arizona Temple, 455 E. Main Street turns the switch on hundreds of thousands of lights on its grounds from 5-10 p.m. daily through Dec. 30.

Merry Main Street attracts over 190,000 visitors annually, according to the city.

"I've had the privilege of attending Merry Main Street year after year, and it's been incredible to see how it continues to grow and get better every season,” Mayor Mark Freeman said in a release.

The Christmas tree lighting in Mesa at 5 p.m. Friday kicks of

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