Mesa Now
Part of The Valley NowMesa, Arizona
The Valley's second city, with the Superstitions out the back door.
31 recent stories
Get the weeklyOpening, development and local news briefs, with publication dates and original sources.
Arizona Craft Beer Fest takes place October 31, 2026, at The Post and Macdonald Plaza, 26 N. Macdonald. The organizer lists VIP entry at 11 a.m., general admission at noon and late admission at 1 p.m.; the festival ends at 4 p.m. The event is for adults 21 and older, with ID required. Halloween costumes are welcome. Check PHOENIX magazine’s ticket page for current admission options and prices.
Source: PHOENIX magazineFour upcoming Halloween Boo programs run from 10 to 11 a.m. in Mesa. On October 27, 2026, Gateway Library, 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway, hosts trick-or-treating and crafts for ages 2 to 5, with limited supplies. On October 28, Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, hosts ages 3 to 5, with a costume parade in the east covered parking lot. October 29 brings early-childhood sessions to Main Library, 64 E. First St., and Dobson Ranch Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road; the Dobson event takes place along the park Storywalk. Bring costumes and treat bags for the October 28 and 29 programs.
Source: Mesa Public LibraryBookMaze will host its Haunted Library on October 30 and 31, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. both nights at 1300 W. University Drive in Mesa. The bookstore lists admission at $5 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free. An outdoor trunk-or-treat with local authors is free and does not require a Haunted Library ticket. Organizer Proxima Emporium describes the attraction as mildly spooky and recommends that younger children attend with a parent or guardian. The event benefits the Mesa Book Festival.
Source: BookMaze / Proxima EmporiumDowntown Mesa’s BBQ and Bluegrass Classic is scheduled for November 6 and 7, 2026, at Macdonald and Main streets. The organizer’s flyer lists Friday hours of 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday hours of 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with free entry and parking. Friday features a dessert and appetizer competition; Saturday has a four-meat competition and a Kids Q event. Tasting tickets cost $2 while supplies last. The flyer also lists food and retail vendors and a beer garden; free entry does not include purchases.
Source: Downtown MesaThe East Valley Veterans Parade is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in downtown Mesa. The organizer’s current 2026 page lists an 11 a.m. start. Its linked route page places the start at Center Street and University Drive, heading south on Center to First Street and west to Robson. The parade honors local veterans, active military members and their families. Check the organizer’s route and parking information before attending.
Source: East Valley Veterans Parade AssociationEligible Mesa residents can apply by November 5 for the November 7, 2026, shade-tree workshop at Red Mountain Park’s Falcon Ramada, 7745 E. Brown Road. Registration lists 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. sessions. Completing the roughly 90-minute workshop qualifies participants for up to two trees, subject to availability, collected that day. Applicants must live within incorporated Mesa and have planting permission; businesses are excluded. Participants handle transport, planting and care and must follow utility-clearance requirements. The city also lists October 24 at Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St.; its 9 a.m. session is full. Check current registration availability before making plans.
Source: City of MesaMesa’s October 2026 retail review lists The William New American Chophouse & Bar as scheduled to open at the end of October at Gallery Park, near Power Road and Loop 202. The Mesa Chamber lists its address as 5057 S. Power Road. The restaurant is part of the site with the Tempo by Hilton and Homewood Suites hotel. The city’s timing is a target; a specific opening day and current service have not been confirmed.
Source: City of MesaWebster Recreation Center’s Halloween Carnival is Friday, October 30, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 202 N. Sycamore in Mesa. The city lists free admission, games and activities, with trunk-or-treat joining the event this year. Bring a costume and a candy holder.
Source: City of MesaThe 42nd Annual Roy Track Memorial Pow Wow runs October 23 to 25, 2026, at Riverview Park, 860 N. Riverview Park, in Mesa. The city lists free admission, with hours of 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Check the city event listing before heading out.
Source: City of MesaVintage Market Days of Arizona runs October 23-25, 2026, at Arizona Athletic Grounds, 6321 S. Ellsworth Road. Friday early buying runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Children under 12 enter free, and purchased tickets allow re-entry throughout the weekend. Expect art, antiques, clothing, handmade goods and home decor. Check the organizer for current ticket details before visiting.
Source: Vintage Market Days of ArizonaRanger Nikki leads the Full Moon Hike at Usery Mountain Regional Park on October 24, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The 2.2-mile route uses the NoSo and Blevins trails. Registration is limited to 30 people and closes October 22; call (602) 506-2930, extension 4. Meet at the south picnic ramada at the NoSo Trailhead, bring water and a flashlight, and wear closed-toe shoes. Pets are not permitted. Check the park listing for changes and applicable entry fees.
Source: Maricopa County ParksHaunting on Main Street runs Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Mesa, with the city listing 1 N. Macdonald as the event location. Admission is free. Participating merchants hand out wrapped candy and goodies to costumed children while supplies last, with themed games, activities, cotton candy and crafts around Macdonald and Main Street.
Source: City of MesaWhere to eat
Every major guide blended into one list, plus the under-the-radar spots locals guard.
Things to do
The Deal Sheet / Checked weekly
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
From the team behind this page
The Valley Now team lives this stuff daily, and that includes licensed Arizona agents. Buying, selling, new build or resale: tell us what you are after and the right person gets back to you fast. No pressure, real answers.
Real estate services through Call It Closed International Realty.
Every Friday morning: what opened, what broke ground and what is coming next in Mesa. Sixty seconds, all good news.
