Community Event: Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant

If you are looking for a way to help celebrate Easter and make it more meaningful you should consider attending the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant.  Since 1928 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has put on the annual Easter Pageant on the front lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple.  From its humble beginnings as a sunrise service it has evolved into a professional production and the largest known outdoor Easter Pageant in the world.

The Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant depicts the life of Jesus Christ - from his birth and youth to his ministry and his crucifixion and resurrection.  A cast of 450 volunteer actors rehearse for many weeks and enjoy their roles, with many of them returning year after year.  Often entire families will participate and look forward to how their own lives are strengthened with this opportunity to share the life of Jesus Christ with others.

Performances of the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant are offered from now up until Easter in both Spanish and English.  ASL is available on April 13^th, 14^th, 15^th and 16^th.  All performances begin promptly at 8pm.  It is recommended that you arrive at least an hour early for performances this week and at least 2 hours early for next week's performances.  There are 8,000 seats on the lawn available on a first come first serve basis.

Performance Dates of the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant

English                                            
April 13^th                                                                
April 14^th                                                               
April 19^th
April 20^th
April 21^st
April 22^nd
April 23^rd

Spanish
April 15th
April 16th

The Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant takes place on the north lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center at 525 East Main Street in Mesa, AZ.  Parking and the pageant are free.  Donations are not accepted and no tickets are required.

It can be cold in the evening during the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant, so you'll want to dress warmly (layers are advisable) and bring blankets.  It is often more comfortable to spread a blanket across the metal chairs to keep warm in addition to having a blanket to cover yourself with.

You are welcome to bring food and drink to consume while you are waiting for the Easter Pageant to start.  There are a few restaurants nearby as well.  No alcohol is permitted and there is no smoking on the temple grounds.

You may see missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who serve as ushers, and they will answer questions if you have them.  They are not there, however, to actively proselytize during your visit.

I enjoy seeing the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant as a yearly tradition, and I can't recommend it enough.

Click the panoramic picture below for a full view of the pageant setup on the north lawn of the temple visitor's center.  Once you get there be sure to zoom in for details.