As temperatures climb past 110 degrees every day this week in Mesa, Arizona, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Organ Stop Pizza.
Yes, Christmas in July.
Founded in Mesa in 1995 as an offshoot of the original Organ Stop Pizza location, which opened in 1972 in Phoenix, the pizzeria is now the only one of its kind in the world—home of the world’s largest Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ with a whopping 6,000 pipes. The organ itself is valued at more than $6 million. Between the live organ music every night and a menu featuring specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and appetizers, the 18,000-square-foot mega-pizzeria has a seating capacity of 700 and draws hundreds of thousands of guests ever year.
And when July rolls around, Organ Stop Pizza, a member of PMQ’s Pizza Hall of Fame, becomes a sort of winter wonderland, at least in terms of theme and décor. The annual Christmas in July promotion helps stock the shelves at United Food Bank, which provides food and water to more than 2.5 million Arizonans every year.
Summer is the hardest time of the year for many individuals and families in Arizona, especially with the kids out of school. Electricity bills rise along with soaring temperatures, forcing some families to make tough decisions between paying their bills and buying food. United Food Bank works to ensure that fewer children go to bed hungry at night and delivers meals to senior citizens.
For Christmas in July 2024, Organ Pizza Stop is asking its guests to arrive with at least two non-perishable food items or make a $2 cash donation between July 1 and July 31. In exchange, they’ll receive 10% off their bill.
The restaurant puts up a large tree, Christmas stockings and other decorations every year in July. In 2023, Santa Claus paid frequent visits with one of his “elves.” For this year, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will visit each Saturday and Sunday in July.
“When you drop off donations for this food drive in July, you will be able to step out of the triple-digit temps into the spirit of the holidays,” said Linda Guthrie, the pizzeria’s manager. “Our staff always look forward to this special month where we deck the Mighty Wurlitzer and walls with a Christmas feel. Jingle all the way to OSP in Mesa and help a worthy cause!”
Along with the live music, Organ Stop Pizza dazzles the crowds with theatrical performances that include dancing cat puppets, disco balls and bubbles. Songs range from classical music to Disney favorites and pop and rock hits.

Santa Claus and his favorite elf put in appearances last year for Organ Stop Pizza's annual Christmas in July promotion. (Organ Stop Pizza / Instagram)
Cue the Organ Music! It’s Christmas in July at a Truly Unique Pizzeria in Arizona
Marketing

Santa Claus and his favorite elf put in appearances last year for Organ Stop Pizza's annual Christmas in July promotion. (Organ Stop Pizza / Instagram)
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