Night Trails
A dark blue sky spotted with stars provides a backdrop for a shot of the illuminated Courthouse Butte (center) and dark Bell Rock (right) red rock formations from the Yavapi Vista Trail. A recent snowfall supplied…
Sedona Things to do
Beers, Brats and Red Rocks
Break out your German lederhosen or dirndl dress: One of fall’s most beloved celebrations, Red Rocks Oktoberfest, is returning. Festival-goers can head to Posse Grounds ballfields on Oct. 26 from 3 to 8 p.m. to enjoy…
Sedona Plein Air Festival
If you’re in Sedona from Oct. 12 to 19, you might spot artists painting all over town. No, you’re not dreaming. You’re just seeing artists who are part of the annual Sedona Plein Air Festival. “It’s…
Halloween Happenings
The City is of Sedona is hosting two different events to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year: Halloween. From 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19, kids and their families can head to the Sedona…
Masterpiece Theater
Next year marks what would have been the 250th birthday of legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven. To kick things off early, the Verde Valley Sinfonietta and Sedona International Film Festival have collaborated and are paying tribute…
High Fiber
Searching for a custom gift? Then consider checking out handmade fiber art ranging from handwoven baskets to ornaments at the fifth annual Verde Valley Weavers & Spinners Guild’s Fabulous Fiber Sale Besides a variety of one-of-a-kind…
Lakeview Trail
After a long, hot summer, sometimes you need a break from all the heat. And if you’re searching for a relatively easy, classic Flagstaff trail, we’d recommend Lakeview Trail No. 132. The trail starts with a…
Schuerman Mountain Trail
November can be a bit nuts. Chances are high that you’re busy prepping for the upcoming holidays on top of all your other day-to-day responsibilities. And you’re probably searching for a quick break, which is what…
Rock Out
The Red Rocks Music Festival returns for its 18th annual season and is bringing top-notch musicians to Sedona. The Red Rocks Music Festival was originally founded to make up for the lack of summertime music festivals…
Wine It Up
Drinking wine against the backdrop of Sedona’s stunning red rocks is our idea of a perfect day. And the eleventh annual Sedona Winefest will give attendees the chance to celebrate the Grand Canyon State’s homegrown wine…
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Artists have sought to capture the beauty of The Grand Canyon for centuries – making it the ideal place for a celebration of visual arts. The eleventh annual Grand Canyon Celebration of the Arts – a…
Sing the Blues
Who says blues music is dead? Not the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance. The organization’s biannual Sedona Red Rockin’ Blues Festival is back starting on Sept. 6 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 7 p.m. The…
Godless
Did you binge-watch the Netflix series Godless? Then you’ll be thrilled to know that the hats donned by three of the main characters are the creation of Arizona hat maker Eric Watson, owner of Watson’s Hat…
Soldier Pass Arches
The Soldier Pass Arches hike meets all the requirements of a downright perfect day hike. Just three miles round trip. Check. A challenging, but not impossible trail. Check. Gorgeous views and a few fun places to…
Ceramics Classes at Sedona Arts Center
Experienced ceramics artists and novices alike can learn new skills and may make friends if they sign up for a ceramics class at the Sedona Arts Center. Classes are held once per week and last anywhere…
Mountain High
Want a stunning view of Northern Arizona? Then consider booking a ticket to ride Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift in Flagstaff. The lift transports you up to 11,500 feet. From the top, take in sweeping views of…
Picture Perfect
Photographers have flocked to Sedona for decades to capture the beauty of the red rocks. And come this August, photographers of all stripes can hone their craft, learn new techniques from the pros and photograph Sedona’s…
Festival In The Pines
Following a decade-long hiatus, the festival formerly known as SummerFest has returned to Flagstaff as the Festival in the Pines. From July 4 to 6, attendees can anticipate art, live music, food and creative activities for…
Wet and Wild
Families looking to (literally) cool off and celebrate Independence Day can head to the Sedona Community Pool for City of Sedona Parks and Recreation’s 4th of July Wet Fest. Kids can enjoy a live DJ, face…
Fine Art Museum of Sedona
Fine Art Museum of Sedona’s mission is to build a world-class fine arts museum featuring state-of-the-art architecture surrounded by spectacular gardens, sculptures and views. The progress since 2012 has been challenging, yet the vision remains intact….
Sycamore Canyon: Parsons Trail
If you are up for an adventure, pack a lunch and take a ride to Sycamore Canyon for a full day of hiking in the wilderness. From Sedona, it’s a 30-minute drive on AZ-89A to Cottonwood….
From Farm to Table
Shopping for farm-fresh foods, fruits and vegetables that are locally grown should be on your checklist of things to do in Sedona. The Sedona Community Farmers Market held in the creekside parking lot of Tlaquepaque Arts…
Three Nights of Music
Listen to music surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Red Rocks, Friday evenings in June. The City of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation presents its annual Red Dirt Concerts held at the Pavilion at Posse Grounds…
Paolo Scardina
Grab some friends and enjoy an evening of relaxing music, romantic songs, a little wine and Paolo Scardina on the grand piano – it’s a perfect way to be entertained on a Friday night in Sedona….
Art Walk
If you like art, 1st Fridays in Sedona are for you. The Sedona Gallery Association members present an evening filled with art talks, receptions, poetry readings and meet-and-greets with local and visiting artists. It all happens…
Broken Arrow Trail
Initially, we set out to hike the Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point but ended up taking a detour that proved a worthwhile adventure. Broken Arrow Trailhead allows 4×4 road vehicles and jeep tours – and…
Jerome Historic Home and Building Tour
Once billed as the wickedest town in the west, Jerome is now a bustling community. But who lives in this old copper mining town filled with rambunctious stories that almost always raise a few eyebrows? Now…
The Great Sedona Chili Cook-Off
Some like it hot – others hotter! This year’s Great Sedona Chili Cook-off may be the hottest event yet! As the attendance has grown, the competition for the best chili becomes more competitive. Sample chili from…
Chasing The Storm
“Listening to the deafening roar of thunder and watching monster lightning bolts parade over the Grand Canyon was one of the best experiences of my life as a photographer.” Scott Stulberg describes the moment he was…
Adobe Jack Trail
Adobe Jack Trail features fantastic red rock views. It also leads you to a creek bed and winds in and out of small washes and green desert terrain lined with junipers and Manzanita bushes. Before beginning…
Five Questions For Sandrine Erdely-Sayo, Artistic Director Of Piano On The Rocks
What do you love about music? Music is a language that emanates from the heart and from the soul. It’s full of mysteries and abstraction in a logical form. It has a universal character and it’s…
Celebrate Bernstein’s Birthday
A favorite among Sedona audiences, renowned pianist-composer Michael Brown returns to Chamber Music Sedona on Thursday April 11 at 5:30 p.m. to perform Spring Salon Musicale – Bernstein at 100! It’s the last concert of the…
In The Long Run
Every parent – and grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. – is familiar with school fundraisers, but there’s a big difference between selling wrapping paper and running all 800-plus miles of the Arizona Trail. That’s what Nate Hansen…
Hot Flashes On The Trail
If you live in Arizona, you’ve heard the stories about the pioneers who packed their wagons and headed west during the 1800s, but how much is myth and how much is reality? Two familiar faces in…
Sedona Food Truck Festival
Bring your appetite to the Sedona Food Truck Festival at Posse Grounds Park on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 20 food trucks, $5 beers and a live band will satiate crowds….
Northern Arizona Watercolor Society Watermedia Exhibition
If you think of Georgia O’Keeffe and floral paintings when you hear the term “watercolor,” you might want to attend Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s Watermedia Exhibition happening at Sedona Arts Center March 1-18. An artists’ reception…
A.B. Young Trail & Beyond
We first wrote about the challenging but rewarding A.B Young Trail in 2017. At that time, we stopped our hike where the switchbacks end at the top of the Mogollon Rim. We hiked it again recently,…
Adrift Assemblages
Ann Metlay has spent most of her life writing and teaching writing, so when she retired to the Verde Valley in 2010, she decided she wanted to pursue something different. An active student and teacher at…
Airport Loop
There’s no denying the 3.3-mile trail that loops around Airport Mesa offers views of every major red rock formation in Sedona, but we were equally as enthusiastic about the landscape of the mesa itself. A constant…
Sedona’s Jack Of All Trades
When we spoke to author, tech company CEO, Sedona resident and Beatles collector extraordinaire Chris Formant, he was in the middle of hiking his way through Argentina and Chile. That’s just how he rolls. Chris’ second…
Sedona International Film Festival
For the 25th anniversary of the Sedona International Film Festival, Patrick Schweiss, the festival’s executive director, says movie lovers will find nods to the festival’s past and present. From Feb. 23 through March 3, more than…
Love Songs
Plan a pre-Valentine’s Day afternoon out on Feb. 10 when Verde Valley Sinfonietta presents Sweet Melodies at 2:30 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. The concert features Debussy’s Petite Suite and Brahms’ Serenade No. 1…
George Winston
Pianist George Winston will take the stage at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the show are $45 to $65. George, who grew up in Montana and plays a…
Music To Our Ears
Chamber Music Sedona’s 6th annual Winterfest concert is mixing things up this year. The festival culminates in a concert on Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Sedona Performing Arts Center. Dubbed Shepherd on the Rock, the…
Red Mountain Music Academy
In October, longtime Sedona resident and music teacher Deanna Branaman opened the doors to Red Mountain Music Academy at the former Big Park School in the Village of Oak Creek. Deanna and her husband, Jeff, were…
NAU Art Museum
Arizona is world-renowned for its rich Western and Native American artistic heritage, but there’s a hidden gem in northern Arizona that wants to bring your attention to what’s happening in the world of contemporary art. Northern…
Let’s Go: Dining in Sin City
NOBU RESTAURANT A GLAMOROUS AND EVOCATIVE NIGHT ON THE TOWN Dining at the Caesars Palace outpost of Nobu Restaurant allows you to suspend reality. The stylish dining room sets the stage for what will be a…
Girdner Trail
Named after a family of ranchers who herded cattle in this area, the Girdner Trail connects Yavapai College and the former Sedona Cultural Park with Dry Creek Road via 4.75 miles of interesting and diverse terrain….
Sedona Northern Lights
As if Sedona’s red rocks weren’t magical enough, Sedona Northern Lights returns for the second year, Dec. 13-16. At 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., the 182,000,000-square-foot face of Camelhead Rock will be transformed into the…
Great Southwest
When we first introduced readers to Chris and Debbie Jones, owners of Great Southwest gallery, the couple had recently relocated their home and business from Colorado Springs. That was back in 2013. At the time, Great…
Dance, Dance, Dance
Nothing announces the start of the holiday season like Sedona Chamber Ballet’s presentation of Phoenix Ballet’s The Nutcracker. The timeless performance takes place Dec. 1 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m….
Turkey Trot 5K
Before you head to that Thanksgiving feast, burn some calories at the 9th First Annual Sedona Turkey Trot 5K at Posse Grounds Park on Nov. 22 at 9 a.m. The race, presented by Sedona Running Company,…
Bear Mountain Trail
The trail that leads up Bear Mountain may only be 2.5 miles one way, but it’s easily one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. There’s little to no shade, so if hiking this trail is…
Spanish Nights
Escape to Spain this month without packing more than your handbag when Verde Valley Sinfonietta presents Spanish Nights on Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m. The concert, the first of three in the sinfonietta’s 2018/19 season, takes…
Devil’s Bridge
The name of Sedona’s largest sandstone arch, Devil’s Bridge, might sound sinister, but there’s no need to start reciting your Hail Marys just yet. The short, 0.9-mile trail that leads to the top of the arch…
Halloween
Halloween is here! There is no shortage of haunted happenings in the Verde Valley for the young and the young at heart, starting with Jerome’s 2018 Ghost Walk on Oct. 12 and 13 from 6:30 to…
Artful October
If you are an art collector – or if you just appreciate beauty – October is your favorite month. First up is the Sedona Arts Festival on Oct. 13 and 14. The 28th annual event takes…
Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour
The best weekend to shop for art in Prescott is Oct. 5-7 during the 11th annual Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour. Whether you only have an hour and you’re limited to downtown Prescott, or you have…
Cockscomb Butte Trail
Have you ever wondered about the spindly spires of the Cockscomb formation west of Sedona and on the very edge of Red Rock Country? Then you need to spend an afternoon exploring Cockscomb Butte Trail. The…
Native American Heritage Park Trail
Learn about the people who called our area home 1,400 years ago along the new Native American Heritage Park Trail in Camp Verde. The half-mile loop boasts interpretive-exhibit signs that educate hikers on the people native…
Moonlight Madness
Despite recent whispers of Sedona losing its small-town charm, there are still plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbors and celebrate what we love best about Red Rock Country. The Collective Sedona’s Moonlight Madness Concert is…
Grand Canyon Celebration Of Art
Artists have been inspired by their landscape since man first began scratching images on cave walls, which is why celebrating visual art at a place like Grand Canyon National Park is such a natural fit. This…
Michael Kollwitz
For most people, the first time they witness Michael Kollwitz tap out classic rock and old standards on his instrument, the odd-looking Chapman Stick, they have one response: What is that instrument and are you really…
Sedona Family Foot Rodeo
Celebrate the history of Posse Grounds Park with the City of Sedona’s Parks and Recreation department during the Sedona Family Foot Rodeo. The event takes place at the lower softball field at Posse Grounds Park on…
Crescent Moon Creek Walk
When the days are hot, and you never know when a monsoon storm is going to pop up, we tend to stick to tried-and-true (read: short) hikes. Crescent Moon Creek Walk, more popularly known as Red…
Vroom, Vroom
Listen up car lovers! The 44th Annual Prescott Antique Auto Club Watson Lake Show happens Aug. 4-5 at Watson Lake Park in Prescott. The show takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is…
Sedona Summer Colony
With all of the distractions of day-to-day life, finding time to focus on an art project can be challenging. That’s why the Sedona Summer Colony has been so successful. For the third summer in a row,…
High Profile
One of the coolest (literally) spots to be this month is on top of 11,500-foot Mt. Agassiz near Flagstaff. How do you get there? Take Arizona Snowbowl’s Scenic Chairlift to the top. The chairlift takes you…
Independence Day
Happy 242nd birthday, America! Celebrate Independence Day with the 4th of July Wet Fest at the Sedona community pool from noon to 4 p.m. The free activity features a water slide, games, water toys, swimming, live…
Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery
The Hotel Jerome, built in 1917, is one of the first buildings you see when you pull into the former mining town turned tourist destination. It’s located on the right side of AZ-89A just as the…
Rector Trail
Because you are holding a copy of Sedona Monthly in your hands – whether you live here or not – it’s safe to assume that you have a favorite Red Rock Country trail. (No, we won’t…
Let’s Go To The Movies
What happens when you combine great movies with balmy Sedona evenings? The City of Sedona Parks and Recreation Department’s new Sedona Summer Cinema Series, which begins June 6 and happens every Wednesday through the month. The…
Tilted Earth Festival
Fourteen years ago, Eric Glomski, owner and director of winegrowing at Page Springs Cellars and co-founder of Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, decided to marry two of his biggest passions, wine and music, with an annual harvest festival….
Red Mountain Trail
If you don’t mind the long drive, hiking into the amphitheater of Red Mountain, a 1-million-year-old cinder cone in the San Francisco Peaks Volcanic Field, is a must-have experience. The trail begins at the end of…
The Copper Ball – Tapas On The Rocks
If you’re reading this in northern Arizona, a medically progressive part of the world, it won’t surprise you to hear that research done by the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona has indicated that cancer patients who…
Kindness Blooms
Last summer, an 80-year-old, housebound man named James Bean passed away in Uptown, Sedona. He didn’t have any family, but before quietly passed away, he told his caretakers that his biggest concern was that his partner’s…
Sedona Gallery Association
Back in 2004, four art experts – Peggy Lanning, Isabelle Cozart, James Ratliff and Karen Ely – founded the Sedona Gallery Association as a way to promote Sedona’s fine art galleries. With the association came the…
Jail Trail River Walk
Looking for something to do with the kiddies during spring break? Family in town? Sometimes not everyone is up for – or capable of – a 6-mile hike in the red rocks. That’s when Cottonwood’s Jail…
Sedona Wolf Week
It all started with four sold-out movie screenings in April 2016 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. The film was Medicine of the Wolf directed by Julia Huffman, and the organizers were Betsy Klein and Timon…
Dry Creek Trail
In late winter and early spring, Dry Creek is anything but dry. Depending on how much rainfall we’ve received, it’s completely impassable in some locations. The key to hiking this trail is finding that ideal time…
Mountain Juniper Gallery
Spend even a short amount of time with woodworker, furniture maker and artist Dan Taylor, and there’s one thing you’ll understand immediately: Dan respects his materials above all else. His material of choice for the past…
8th Annual Old Town Blues Festival
In LosAngeles back in the late 1990s, Blues Dawg was a quartet playing blues standards and originals, and they were receiving plenty of buzz. The band performed at legendary LA venues including B.B. King’s Blues Club,…
Jane Alexander
You might say Jane Alexander’s acting career is the stuff that dreams are made of. She earned an Oscar nomination for her film debut in The Great White Hope (1970) but only after she starred in…
Petty Cache
Norman Petty is the most famous person you’ve probably never heard of. He was a music industry whirlwind: instrumentalist, songwriter, audio engineer, talent manager and, most important, an independent record producer. The 20 Top 40 hits…
The 13th Annual Sedona Marathon Event
Lace up those sneakers! The 13th Annual Sedona Marathon Event takes place Feb. 3 on Navoti Drive behind the Sedona Medical Center. The race begins at 9 a.m. and is expected to draw more than 3,000…
Reitz Ranch
Even though world-renowned ceramicist Don Reitz passed away in 2014 at the age of 84, his spirit can still be felt around the kilns and in the studio at his off-the-beaten-path ranch in Clarkdale. The ranch’s…
Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 in Sedona
The only remnant of any movie set ever built in Sedona is a tall rock chimney and fireplace shrouded in brush and trees on a rocky basalt road at the top of the Mogollon Rim. Reaching…
Chamber Music Sedona
Now in the middle of its 35th season, Chamber Music Sedona has a winter lineup that will warm everyone’s ears. First up, the Fifth Sedona Winter Music Festival happens Jan. 10-14 and features clarinetist and festival…
Courthouse Butte Loop in Sedona
The verdict is in: Courthouse Butte Loop is one of the prettiest trails you’ll hike in the snow – and it’s easy. The 4.5-mile loop traverses the base of Courthouse Butte, one of Sedona’s largest monoliths,…
Sedona’s Sir Harrison Blues Band
When Harrison Begay takes the stage, he might play a Jimi Hendrix or Miles Davis song, but it’s not going to sound like Jimi Hendrix or Miles Davis. “We give those songs an R&B groove or…
Sedona Arts Center’s Loving Bowls
What’s better than shopping? Shopping for a cause! Sedona Arts Center’s Loving Bowls event returns Dec. 9 from noon to 3 p.m. More than 1,100 bowls created by area ceramicists will be sold for $10 each….
Christmas in the Southwest
35th Annual Christmas Boat Parade of Lights Put on a sweater and gather along the shores of Lake Havasu in the far western corner of our state for London Bridge Yacht Club’s 35th Annual Christmas Boat…
A New Take on an Old Classic
When it came time to make plans for November’s Native American Heritage Month, Ken Zoll, executive director of Verde Valley Archaeology Center, had an idea. Ken sits on the advisory board for Verde Valley Sinfonietta, and…
Boynton Canyon in Sedona
Scenic Boynton Canyon near Enchantment Resort is one of Sedona’s most popular trails and deservedly so. But because it’s in danger of being loved to death, we haven’t written about it in 12 years. Instead, we’ve…
Sedona Open Studios
Thinking about holiday gift giving? Forgo online shopping and spend a weekend browsing local artist studios during Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition’s Fall Open Studios Tour. The self-guided, free tour takes place Nov. 10-12 from 10 a.m….
Halloween in Sedona
It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn toward costumes and candy. There is no shortage of haunted happenings in the Verde Valley for the young and the young at heart, starting with the Pumpkin…
A.B. Young Trail in Oak Creek Canyon
The A.B. Young Trail is the only route (of which we know) that climbs the west wall of Oak Creek Canyon. From AZ-89A in the northern reaches of the canyon, you can spot the trail, which…
13th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival
It’s that magical week in fall when Sedona’s streets, trails and viewpoints are teeming with plein-air painters from around the country. We’re talking about Sedona Art Center’s invitational 13th Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival, which returns…
Sedona Arts Festival
If you love to shop and you love the red rocks, there is no better festival than Sedona Arts Festival, now in its 27th year. On Oct. 7 and 8 on the sports field at Sedona…
Sedona’s El Dorado
When Claudio and Karla Herrera first met, they were part of a small population of Ecuadorian immigrants living in New York City. Karla was attending the Fashion Institute of Technology, intent on studying fashion design and…
