Dates for the year ahead, from the Polar Express and the Holiday Parade of Lights this winter to the County Fair and Pickin' in the Pines in 2027, plus the festivals that come back every year.
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Coming upHoliday of Lights Parade, December 2017 · Photo: Coconino National Forest / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits
The holiday season starts in early November with the Polar Express, and Snowbowl plans to open on November 20.
Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
EventThe Polar ExpressWhereWilliams depot, 5:30 and 7:30 pmWed, Nov 11
EventThe Mother Road's 100th Birthday Bash: classic cars for Route 66's centennialWhereVisitor Center, 1 E Route 66, 10 am–2 pmFri, Nov 20
EventArizona Snowbowl's planned opening dayWhereArizona SnowbowlNov 20 – Dec 24
EventThe North Pole ExperienceWhereFrom Little America, 2515 E Butler AveSun, Nov 22
EventSnowpine Model Railway opening and family dayWhereMuseum of Northern Arizona, 2–4 pmSat, Nov 28
EventHoliday tree lighting, Parade of Lights and SantalandWhereWilliamsWed, Dec 2
EventHistory Happy Hour, freeWhereGopher Hole, Weatherford Hotel, 5–7 pmDec 5–6
EventWinter Market and Open House, freeWhereMuseum of Northern Arizona, 10 am–5 pmSat, Dec 12
EventHoliday Parade of LightsWhereDowntown Flagstaff, 6 pm, from Beaver and ElmThu, Dec 31
EventThe Great Pinecone Drop and Noon Year's EveWhereWeatherford Hotel and Heritage Square: noon, 10 pm, midnightThu, Dec 31
EventNew Year's Eve Car DropWhereWilliamsWed, Jan 6, 2027
EventHistory Happy Hour, freeWhereGopher Hole, Weatherford Hotel, 5–7 pmWed, Feb 3, 2027
EventHistory Happy Hour, freeWhereGopher Hole, Weatherford Hotel, 5–7 pmThese 2027 dates for summer and fall are already set.
Sat, Jun 26
EventAsteroid DayWhereMeteor CraterSun, Jul 4
EventFourth of July: parade downtown and an evening showWhereDowntown and Foxglenn ParkSat, Jul 24
EventSci-Fi FestWhereMeteor CraterLabor Day weekend
EventCoconino County FairWhereFort Tuthill County ParkSep 17–19
EventPickin' in the Pines bluegrass festivalWhereFort Tuthill County ParkNov 5 – Dec 30
EventThe Polar Express 2027 seasonWhereWilliams depotEach festival has its own page with tickets, parking and the closest hotels.
June
EventFlagstaff HullabalooWhat it isGiant puppets, bike parade, costumes and music in Wheeler ParkJuly 4
EventFourth of JulyWhat it isDowntown parade, free family afternoon, evening drone showLabor Day weekend
EventCoconino County FairWhat it isLivestock, exhibits and the carnival at Fort TuthillSeptember
EventPickin' in the PinesWhat it isThree days of bluegrass with camping at Fort TuthillEarly fall
EventFlagstaff OktoberfestWhat it isBeer, brats and music in Wheeler Park; kids 12 and under freeNovember to early January
EventThe Polar Express and the North Pole ExperienceWhat it isThe two Christmas trips for familiesDecember 31
EventThe Great Pinecone DropWhat it isFlagstaff's New Year's Eve at the WeatherfordThe Parade of Lights, the Fourth of July parade and the Pinecone Drop all happen within a few blocks of Heritage Square.
Photo: ExpediaBest historic stayDowntown and Southside 8.0/10 on Expedia
Parking $50 a day in a nearby lot; limited spaces at the hotelNo petsBreakfast extra
A minute's walk from Heritage Square, where the Parade of Lights, the Fourth of July parade and the Pinecone Drop all happen.
Bespoke Inn FlagstaffDowntown and Southside 9.8/10 on Expedia · 426 reviewsFree parkingPets: dogs only, up to 2Check prices
Residence Inn by Marriott FlagstaffDowntown and Southside 9.6/10 on Expedia · 1,002 reviewsParking $10 a dayPets: up to 2 petsCheck prices
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Flagstaff Downtown, AZDowntown and Southside 9.4/10 on Expedia · 1,547 reviewsParking $6 a night, coveredNo petsBreakfast includedCheck pricesThe North Pole Experience until December 24, the Polar Express from Williams, the Holiday Parade of Lights downtown on December 12, 2026, and the Great Pinecone Drop on New Year's Eve.
Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6 pm, starting at Beaver and Elm in downtown Flagstaff.
The Hullabaloo in June, the Fourth of July, the Coconino County Fair over Labor Day weekend and Pickin' in the Pines in September.
September 17–19, 2027, at Fort Tuthill County Park.
Flagstaff's New Year's Eve countdown, with a giant lit pine cone lowered from the Weatherford Hotel at noon, 10 pm and midnight.
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