HOW TO CELEBRATE AUTUMN IN NORTHERN ARIZONA
Fall is a great time to be outside as the weather is virtually perfect. Here’s some of our favorite ways to soak up the fall temperatures.
Take A Scenic Drive. Photo by Ted Grussing.
TAKE A SCENIC DRIVE
We love driving along Oak Creek Canyon this time of year. The scenic road (AZ-89A) becomes even more beautiful with the colorful leaves lining the curving highway. If you have the time, be sure to pull over and take in the stunning vistas along the road. Another one of our favorite drives in the region is U.S. Scenic Highway 180. This road travels from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon and is the most stunning road up to Arizona’s most famous site. The drive kicks off with a view of Mount Humphreys Peak and winds its way through a Ponderosa pine forest. The forest should be lit up this time of year.
Arizona Snowbowl.
ARIZONA SNOWBOWL
Although Arizona Snowbowl is busiest during the wintertime, it’s also an underrated fall destination. Take Snowbowl Road all the up to the top of the mountain and consider taking a ride on the Arizona Gondola. We rode on the gondola a few years ago, and we absolutely loved admiring the scenery and the aspen trees blanketed with vibrant, yellow leaves. Pause to take in the surrounding views of Flagstaff’s mountains before you head back down.
Hike West Fork.
HIKE WEST FORK
West Fork is a classic Sedona hike for one very good reason: There’s no other hike like it in town. Hiking along Oak Creek with towering sandstone beside you is an only-in-Sedona experience. Fall is the ideal time to hike this iconic trek. If you time it just right, you can hike this trail when the leaves are awash in color – making the entire experience more magical.
VISIT CRESCENT MOON RANCH
Crescent Moon Ranch is one of Sedona’s most iconic sites. Visitors can take in views of Cathedral Rock with Oak Creek flowing underneath. In the fall, this is one our favorite places to visit this time of year since the leaves are changing colors.
Lockett Meadow.
LOCKETT MEADOW
Lockett Meadow is perhaps the most renowned fall destination in Flagstaff. Here’s the major caveat though: The road leading to Lockett Meadow is currently closed to motor vehicles. The only way to access this place as of press time is a 6-mile round trip hike. You’ll have to hike 3 miles on the road before you reach the Inner Basin Trail, which is another 3 miles. If you have enough time and are up for the journey, your reward will be some of the best fall views Flagstaff has to offer. Lockett Meadow is typically blanketed in aspens decked out in bright yellow leaves. Pictures of the Inner Basin Trail captured during certain times in the fall look otherworldly. The place seemingly glows. It’s just tough to reach right now.
Visit A Pumpkin Patch.
VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH
Checking out pumpkin patches is a classic fall activity. Flagstaff has a few where you can take home a few pumpkins and also participate in some traditional autumn activities. Here’s some information about one of them. Viola’s Flower Garden will host a pumpkin patch that will feature more than 20 pumpkin varieties that you can take home. There’s plenty more to do here. Attendees also can venture into a straw maze, decorate their chosen pumpkins at a station and play carnival games including something called a witches cauldron toss. The pumpkin patch is open the entire month of October. Visit flagstaffpumpkinpatch.com for more information.
FESTIVALS
Festivals abound throughout Northern Arizona in the fall. Here are some highlights.
SEDONA
Fall Arts & Crafts Fair.
FALL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
Date: Oct. 12
sedonamuseum.org
Get a jump start on your holiday shopping if you attend the Sedona Heritage Museum’s Fall Arts & Crafts Fair. Plenty of local artisans and crafters will be selling their wares at this fair, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be available to buy. Attendees also can purchase baked goods here.
Sedona Arts Festival.
SEDONA ARTS FESTIVAL
Dates: Oct. 12 to 13
sedonaartsfestival.org
Since 1989, the Sedona Arts Festival has showcased high-quality art in the shadow of Sedona’s red rocks. See work from over 125 artists working in 11 different artistic mediums. The Sedona Arts Festival is also a fundraiser that supports arts education in the greater Sedona area. No pets are allowed. The festival is also smoke-free.
Sedona Plein Air Festival.
SEDONA PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
Dates: Oct. 18 to 26
sedonaartscenter.org
Watch a variety of world-class painters capture the beauty of Sedona at the Sedona Plein Air Festival. Painters will be all over town during this event.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration. Photo by Derek von Briesen.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION
Dates: Oct. 30 to Nov. 2
tlaq.com
One of Sedona’s biggest events, Dia de los Muertos, returns to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village this fall. The festivities kick off on Oct. 30 with the unveiling of the Marigold Mural Project. As in prior years, artist Lovejoy will decorate a 26-foot-long community remembrance wall that visitors are then welcome to decorate in honor of their loved ones who have passed. Paints and brushes will be supplied.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration. Photo by Derek von Briesen.
On Nov. 1 and 2, Tlaquepaque will be decorated with large-scale installations and vignettes to commemorate the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead. The altars displayed throughout are intended to be a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. Events during this time include the opportunity to decorate sugar skulls in addition to plenty of live music and dancing on both Nov. 1 and 2.
SEDONA FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Date: Nov. 9
sedonaaz.gov
Attendees can head to Posse Grounds Park on Nov. 9 for the Sedona Food Truck Festival. The event’s tagline? Grub, brews and tunes. Expect all three at this festival that will feature, you guessed it, plenty of food trucks.
FLAGSTAFF
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival.
FLAGSTAFF SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Dates: October 2024
flagshakes.org
The name of this festival tells you what you need to know. Attendees can look forward to a celebration of all things Shakespeare at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. See plenty of the Bards iconic works in an outdoor setting. The festival also features workshops, educational events and other programming. The Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival is intended for individuals of all ages. This season is the tenth anniversary of the festival.
Flagstaff Oktoberfest.
FLAGSTAFF OKTOBERFEST
Date: Oct. 5
flagstaffoktoberfest.com
Flagstaff Oktoberfest is returning for its 15th year at Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. Attendees can celebrate October with traditional German food like pretzels, bratwurst and plenty of beer. Guests also can enjoy live music, a wiener dog race, a brat eating contest and a stein holding competition. Tickets cost $10 each. Oktoberfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CELEBRACIONES DE LA GENTE FESTIVAL
Dates: Oct. 26 to 27
musnaz.org
Held at the Museum of Northern of Northern Arizona, Celebraciones de la Gente Festival is a celebration of Mexican, Mexican-American and LatinX communities in the region. Attendees can look forward to a colorful festival featuring life, music, dance, art vendors, food and remembrances of lost loved ones. Specifically, mariachi Rubor Femenil will perform on Saturday and Sunday. Ballet Folklorico de Colores of Flagstaff will showcase traditional Mexican folk dancing. On Saturday evening, guests can gather at the Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard and watch the illumination of the ofrendas, which is part of the Day of the Dead celebration.
Pumpkin Walk.
PUMPKIN WALK
Date: Oct. 26
thearb.org
The Arboretum at Flagstaff will be hosting its annual Pumpkin Walk. During the event, attendees can see hundreds of lit pumpkins and enjoy music, beer and cuisine from food trucks. The Pumpkin Walk is the Arboretum’s last event of the season.
PRESCOTT
FALLFEST IN THE PARK
Dates: Oct. 5 and 6
prescott.org
Spend a fall afternoon checking out arts and crafts in downtown Prescott’s Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza during FallFest in the Park. Find plenty of handcrafted goods, browse vendors, and enjoy plenty of tasty food. In previous year, vendors have sold caricatures, tie-dyed clothing in addition to jams and sauces. Attendees also can look forward to live music courtesy of The Prescott Regulators and their Shady Ladies.
The Big Sting Country Music Festival.
THE BIG STING COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Dates: Oct. 11 and 12
thebigsting.com
Prescott’s Watson Lake will play host to The Big Sting Country Music Festival. Pack your tent or load up the RV and get ready for two days of camping and country music. The lineup includes Draw Baldridge, John King, Christie Huff and Josh Setterfield. Lawn chairs are welcome. Guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol to the festival. Kids 12 and under are free. The festival is rain or shine. The Big Sting Country Music Festival also benefits the Shadows Foundation. The Flagstaff-based nonprofit helps those who are battling life-threatening diseases with financial assistance and services. Single-day general admission passes cost $45.
Visit Mortimer Farms.
VISIT MORTIMER FARMS
Dates: Sept. 27 to Oct. 27
mortimerfarmsaz.com
Located just outside of Prescott in Dewey, Mortimer Farms will host a Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze from Sept. 27 to Oct. 27. This family-friendly event features an extensive corn maze, hayrides, plenty of games for kids and a pumpkin patch where families can pick their very own pumpkins just in time for fall. Mortimer Farms is also noteworthy for the variety of food served on the premises. Meals are all made to order. Guests can enjoy food from Crepes & Cream, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches from 4-7 Smokehouse, sweet corn and hot dogs from Roasted Corn & Doghouse and decadent treats like fudge, cookies, pumpkin chocolate cookies at The Bakery & Deli.
MAYER
FORM 2024
Dates: Oct. 4 and 6
experienceform.com
Although tickets are officially sold out for this music festival that is held at Arcosanti annually, Form is a one-of-a-kind music festival. You can still put yourself on the waitlist for tickets with the hope that some might be released. But even if all the tickets are sold out, we did want to put this music festival on your radar. Form is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The festival also features intimate sets with no VIP sections and immersive art experiences. This is a festival to watch.
