[{"slug":"dia-de-los-muertos-festival-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center","category":"events","business":"Mesa Arts Center","city":"Mesa","address":"1 E Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201","schedule":"Saturday, Oct 24, 2026, 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sunday, Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. (relaxed hour 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. both days)","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Annual free celebration of Latin American art and culture with live performances (including Lila Downs Saturday evening), art exhibits, community altar, Mercado, face painting, hands-on activities, and a procession. Relaxed hour offers reduced sensory stimuli.","sourceUrl":"https://www.mesaartscenter.com/dia-de-los-muertos-festival","sourceName":"Mesa Arts Center","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-10-24T12:00","endDate":"2026-10-25T17:00","tags":["free","festival","kids"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"downtown-mesa-bbq-bluegrass-classic-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Downtown Mesa BBQ & Bluegrass Classic","category":"events","business":"Downtown Mesa Association","city":"Mesa","address":"1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201","schedule":"Friday, Nov 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; Saturday, Nov 7, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"4th annual free-admission event with sanctioned BBQ competition, live bluegrass and entertainment, local vendors, and beer garden. BBQ tastings available for purchase.","sourceUrl":"https://www.visitmesa.com/blog/fall-festivals-in-mesa/","sourceName":"Visit Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-06T17:00","endDate":"2026-11-07T17:00","tags":["free","festival"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"downtown-mesa-sunset-market-nov-13-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Downtown Mesa Sunset Market","category":"events","business":"Downtown Mesa Association / City of Mesa","city":"Mesa","address":"1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201","schedule":"Friday, Nov 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Second Friday market with live music, local vendors, and food under the Arizona sky. Pets welcome. Also held Dec 11, 2026.","sourceUrl":"https://www.mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture/City-Calendar/Sunset-Market","sourceName":"City of Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-13T17:00","endDate":"2026-11-13T21:00","tags":["free","farmers market"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"east-valley-veterans-parade-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"East Valley Veterans Day Parade","category":"events","business":"East Valley Veterans Parade","city":"Mesa","address":"Mesa, AZ","schedule":"Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Community parade honoring local Veterans, active military, and families. 2026 theme: Nifty 250, Freedom Ain’t Free, marking 250 years of U.S. military branches.","sourceUrl":"https://evvp.org/","sourceName":"East Valley Veterans Parade","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-11T11:00","endDate":"2026-11-11T13:00","tags":["free","military"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"haunted-hangar-falcon-field-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Haunted Hangar at Falcon Field","category":"events","business":"Falcon Field / Visit Mesa","city":"Mesa","address":"4626 E. Fighter Aces Dr., Mesa, AZ","schedule":"Saturday, Oct 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Trick-or-treating with aircraft up close at the Historic WWII Hangar. Kids welcome in costume. Admission is free.","sourceUrl":"https://www.visitmesa.com/blog/celebrate-halloween-weekend-in-mesa/","sourceName":"Visit Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-10-31T08:00","endDate":"2026-10-31T11:00","tags":["free","kids"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"haunting-on-main-street-mesa-az","market":"mesa-az","title":"Haunting on Main Street trick-or-treat","category":"events","business":"Downtown Mesa Association / City of Mesa","city":"Mesa","address":"1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201","schedule":"Saturday, Oct 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Costumed children collect candy and goodies from participating Downtown Mesa businesses while supplies last. Includes themed games, activities, cotton candy, and crafts on Macdonald and Main Street.","sourceUrl":"https://www.mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture/City-Calendar/HauntingonMain","sourceName":"City of Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-10-24T10:00","endDate":"2026-10-24T13:00","tags":["free","kids","festival"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"merry-main-street-tree-lighting-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Merry Main Street tree lighting","category":"events","business":"Visit Mesa / City of Mesa","city":"Mesa","address":"Downtown Mesa (Main Street area), Mesa, AZ","schedule":"Friday, Nov 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Kickoff of Merry Main Street with Christmas tree lighting, holiday market, and seasonal programming throughout Downtown Mesa. Opening night is free.","sourceUrl":"https://www.visitmesa.com/blog/guide-to-merry-main-street/","sourceName":"Visit Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-27T17:00","endDate":"2026-11-27T22:00","tags":["free","festival","kids"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"mhm-arts-crafts-fair-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Mesa Historical Museum Arts & Crafts Fair","category":"events","business":"Mesa Historical Museum","city":"Mesa","address":"2345 N. Horne, Mesa, AZ 85203","schedule":"Saturday, Nov 14, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Shop local handmade jewelry, pottery, art, food, and more. Free admission to both the Mesa Historical Museum and Arizona Baseball Museum that day.","sourceUrl":"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mhm-annual-arts-and-crafts-fair-2026-tickets-2000201222701","sourceName":"Mesa Historical Museum (via Eventbrite)","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-14T09:00","endDate":"2026-11-14T16:00","tags":["free","festival"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"mesa-neighborhood-shade-tree-workshop-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Mesa Neighborhood Shade Tree Workshop and free trees","category":"events","business":"City of Mesa","city":"Mesa","address":"Pioneer Park, 526 E Main St., Mesa, AZ (Oct 24); Red Mountain Park, 7745 E Brown Road, Mesa, AZ (Nov 7)","schedule":"Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 and Saturday, Nov 7, 2026","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Open to all Mesa residents. Complete the workshop and take home two free trees. Part of Trees Are Cool Initiative.","sourceUrl":"https://mesanow.org/news/public/article/3738","sourceName":"Mesa Now (City of Mesa)","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-10-24","endDate":"2026-11-07","tags":["free","park","garden"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"mesa-night-market-nov-7-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Mesa Night Market Asian food festival","category":"events","business":"Phoenix Food Festivals","city":"Mesa","address":"1920 W Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202","schedule":"Saturday, Nov 7, 2026, 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Free night market with Asian food vendors and anime/retail marketplace. Free parking. RSVP optional. Also scheduled Dec 5, 2026.","sourceUrl":"https://phoenixfoodfestivals.com/mesa-night-market/","sourceName":"Phoenix Food Festivals","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-07T16:00","endDate":"2026-11-07T21:00","tags":["free","farmers market"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"mesa-santa-express-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Mesa Santa Express free train ride","category":"events","business":"Valley Metro / Mesa Christmas Market","city":"Mesa","address":"420 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85203","schedule":"Dec 11–13, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. each evening","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Free festive light-rail train ride with Santa. Boarding passes required and distributed free first-come, first-served. Includes Mesa Christmas Market with vendors and entertainment after the ride.","sourceUrl":"https://allevents.in/mesa/the-mesa-santa-express/200030371354529","sourceName":"AllEvents (event organizer listing)","sourceType":"press","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-12-11T17:00","endDate":"2026-12-13T21:00","tags":["free","kids","festival"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"mesa-temple-christmas-lights-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Mesa Temple Christmas Lights","category":"events","business":"Mesa Arizona Temple","city":"Mesa","address":"101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ (Visitors’ Center 455 E. Main St.)","schedule":"Nightly Nov 27–Dec 30, 2026, 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Hundreds of thousands of lights and biblical displays on temple grounds. Free International Nativity Exhibit of 200+ nativities at the Visitors’ Center (additional daytime hours Tue/Thu 11 a.m.–1 p.m.). Free parking.","sourceUrl":"https://mesatemple.org/christmas/","sourceName":"MesaTemple.org","sourceType":"official","kind":"Event","startDate":"2026-11-27T17:00","endDate":"2026-12-30T22:00","tags":["free","festival"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"mesa-public-library-culture-pass-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Mesa Public Library Act One Culture Pass","category":"entertainment","business":"Mesa Public Library","city":"Mesa","address":"All Mesa Public Library locations","schedule":"Available starting 10:00 a.m. (self-service 9:00–10:00 a.m. Mon–Sat); first-come, first-served","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Library cardholders can check out one Culture Pass per household (max two per month) for two free tickets to participating Arizona museums and cultural sites (e.g., Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Gardens). No renewals or holds.","sourceUrl":"https://www.mesalibrary.org/find/culture-passes","sourceName":"Mesa Public Library","sourceType":"official","kind":"Offer","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["free","museum","students"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"double-up-food-bucks-mesa-markets-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Double Up Food Bucks at Mesa farmers markets","category":"free-food","business":"Double Up Arizona / participating markets","city":"Mesa","address":"Participating Mesa markets (e.g., Superstition Ranch Farmers Market, Concordia Charter School FarmRaiser, others)","schedule":"During market hours at participating locations","price":"Free match","isFree":true,"description":"SNAP/EBT cardholders spend $1 and receive $1 free in Double Up Food Bucks for Arizona-grown fruits, veggies, dried beans, and edible plants/seeds. No separate application. Check doubleupaz.org for current Mesa locations.","sourceUrl":"https://doubleupaz.org/how-it-works/","sourceName":"Double Up Arizona","sourceType":"official","kind":"Service","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["free","SNAP","EBT","farmers market"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"eos-fitness-free-7-day-pass-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"EōS Fitness free 7-day gym pass","category":"fitness","business":"EōS Fitness","city":"Mesa","address":"Mesa locations (see website)","schedule":"7 consecutive days from activation","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Free 7-day pass to try the gym. No credit card required. Sign up online or at the club.","sourceUrl":"https://www.eosfitness.com/gym/gilbert","sourceName":"EōS Fitness","sourceType":"official","kind":"Offer","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["free","gym"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"faction-combat-gym-free-class-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Faction Combat Gym free first class","category":"fitness","business":"Faction Combat Gym","city":"Mesa","address":"1529 S Clearview Ave #107, Mesa, AZ","schedule":"See website schedule for new-student classes","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"First class free in MMA, kickboxing/Muay Thai, BJJ, combatives, or kids classes. No experience needed. Book online or call (480) 359-7431.","sourceUrl":"https://www.factioncombat.com/free-trial","sourceName":"Faction Combat Gym","sourceType":"official","kind":"Offer","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["free","gym"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"fitness-1440-mesa-free-3-day-pass-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Fitness 1440 Mesa free 3-day pass","category":"fitness","business":"Fitness 1440 Mesa","city":"Mesa","address":"1020 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210","schedule":"3 days from activation","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"Free 3-day pass. 24-hour access gym with group classes, cardio, free weights, and more. $0 enrollment on memberships.","sourceUrl":"https://fitness1440mesa.com/","sourceName":"Fitness 1440 Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Offer","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["free","gym"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"united-food-bank-neighbors-pantry-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"United Food Bank Neighbor’s Pantry free food distribution","category":"free-food","business":"United Food Bank","city":"Mesa","address":"358 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210","schedule":"Twice monthly (typically Fridays; check current dates), morning hours","price":"Free","isFree":true,"description":"No-cost distribution of fresh produce, bakery items, and pantry staples. Valid state ID required. No pre-registration. Part of grocery rescue program.","sourceUrl":"https://unitedfoodbank.org/","sourceName":"United Food Bank","sourceType":"official","kind":"Service","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["free","food bank","SNAP"],"verified":"2026-10-21"},{"slug":"dink-and-dine-pickle-park-happy-hour-mesa","market":"mesa-az","title":"Dink & Dine Pickle Park weekday happy hour","category":"happy-hours","business":"Dink & Dine Pickle Park","city":"Mesa","address":"1017 N Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201","schedule":"Monday–Friday 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.","price":"$2 off draft beer","isFree":false,"description":"Dine-in only. $2 off draft beer and house wine; $5 NÜTRL Seltzers, house-made kettle chips & onion dip, or buffalo cauliflower bites; $7 well liquors, smashburger double slider, or brisket street tacos.","sourceUrl":"https://www.visitmesa.com/deals/happy-hour-5/","sourceName":"Visit Mesa","sourceType":"official","kind":"Offer","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"tags":["happy hour"],"verified":"2026-10-21"}]