Get in the holiday spirit with the City of Mesquite’s festive family-friendly events. Celebrations include everything from historic events with Father Christmas to a straight-out-of-a-movie tree lighting on the downtown square complete with gazebo. Experience Christmas in the Park with hot cocoa and free pictures with Santa and savor the sights and sounds of the season at the Mesquite Arts Center with holiday music and theatre. Enjoy a hometown holiday like none other in the Rodeo Capitol of Texas with Real. Texas. Holidays!
Christmas on the Square: Dec. 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Heritage Square, 111 Broad St. Get in the spirit with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Christmas in the historic heart of Mesquite. Starting at 5 p.m., take photos with Santa and shop the gift market and food booths. Free hot cocoa and cookies (while supplies last). At 6 p.m., sing along to the “12 Days of Downtown Mesquite” and make memories as we light the community Christmas tree. Visit www.downtownmesquitetx.com/events for more information.
***UPDATED (This event was rescheduled from the original date because of forecasted weather)
Christmas in the Park: Dec. 14-15 from 2-8 p.m. each day at Westlake Park, 600 Gross Road. Experience a holiday wonderland with lights, music and festive decorations. Admission is free and includes hot cocoa and cookies, arts and crafts, photos with Santa, community performances, special mailbox at the North Pole to write and drop off a letter to Santa and the Santa sendoff with a fireworks finale. Purchase a wristband for $10 to have access to face painting and unlimited rides on inflatables and attractions including a 35-foot-tall tubing slide. Learn more at www.cityofmesquite.com/ChristmasInThePark.
Mesquite Community Band’s “Home for the Holidays”: Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall at Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Ave. Delight your ears with this annual free holiday concert. All Mesquite Community Band concerts, including the annual holiday program, are free of charge and open to the public. Visit www.MesquiteArtsCenter.org for more information.
Christmas at the Ranch: Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at Florence Ranch Homestead, 1424 Barnes Bridge Road. Celebrate history and the holidays. The 1871 historic home will be decorated for the holidays inside and out. Festivities include tours of the Florence home, sweet treats, craft stations to make old-fashioned tree ornaments, and a traditional Santa Claus for photo opportunities. Learn more at www.HistoricMesquite.org.
Mesquite Arts Theatre: A Christmas Carol: Dec. 6-22 at in the Black Box Theatre at Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Ave. In this celebrated Christmas classic, Ebenezer Scrooge is a hard-hearted miser. On Christmas Eve, he’s visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley warning him about his selfishness. Three other spirits haunt Scrooge before the night is out, attempting to help him avoid the consequences of his decisions. But is it too late for Scrooge to change his ways? Visit www.MesquiteArtsTheatre.org for tickets and showtimes.
Mesquite Symphony Orchestra’s “Holiday Carols”: Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall at the Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N Galloway Ave. Experience the magic of Christmas with this annual holiday concert presented by the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra. Selections include “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmastime is Here” and a sing-along. Buy tickets at MesquiteSymphony.org.
Noche de Fiesta: Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at West Mesquite High School, 2500 Memorial Blvd. The Mesquite Police Department will host its annual Noche de Fiesta in collaboration with Mesquite ISD and local businesses. The free, family friendly event celebrates Latin American culture and the holiday season. Come enjoy music, ballet folklórico, matachines, hot chocolate, Hispanic pastries and more. Santa Claus will make an appearance to distribute toys to children.
For more information, visit www.cityofmesquite.com/RealTexasHolidays.