10 Spectacular Summer & Fall Festivals in Flagstaff, Arizona

Admittedly, I live here in Flagstaff, so it’s not because of the desperate need to escape the sweltering heat of the desert. There is, however, a need after being cooped up all winter, to head out and enjoy as many festivals as I can fit in. Looking at the big picture, Flagstaff’s festival offerings began to more than double about 8 years ago.

Before 2008, there were four outdoor festivals to choose from: Flagstaff Beer Festival, Pride in the Pines, the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival, and Pickin’ in the Pines.

Since 2008, we have seen the addition of the Flagstaff Oktoberfest, Hullabaloo, and Cornucopia Fall Festival. Suffice to say – Flagstaff is so much more than hiking and mountain biking. We’ve become Arizona’s year-round playground with a festival for everyone. Here are descriptions of our top 10 favorite summer and fall festivals in Flagstaff. 

May Flagstaff Festivals 

1. Overland Expo 

Overland Expo is the premier overlanding event series in the world — no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.

June Flagstaff Festivals

2. Hullabaloo

The Flagstaff festival season kicks off with Hullabaloo held the first weekend in June to celebrate all things Flagstaff. This is a two-day festival starting with a signature bike parade around downtown Flagstaff. It is an extremely family friendly festival located in Wheeler Park and crazy costume wearing is encouraged. 

3. Flagstaff Beer Festival

The following weekend if you’re ready for a 21+ festival, come on up for the Flagstaff Beer Festival. Held at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Ft. Tuthill Coconino County Fairgrounds, you probably can’t taste all 100 brewery’s offerings in a single festival, but you’ll quickly find out how fun it is to try.

4. Flagstaff Pro Rodeo

The Flagstaff Pro Rodeo rides into Flagstaff every June, annually showcasing bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bull riding and breakaway. This rodeo is held in the tall ponderosa pines at the Coconino County Fort Tuthill grandstands and offers three evening performances, so everyone can enjoy the show under the dark sky of Northern Arizona. Bright lights, excitement and near perfect temperatures grace the rodeo grounds, it's the perfect "yee" to your "haw".

5. Pride in the Pines

Another big event filling up the June calendar is the Pride in the Pines festival at Thorpe Park. This one-day festival has live music, talented performers, and cool summer temperatures while attendees are immersed in ponderosa pines surrounded by scenic mountain views. This event supports the mission to educate, celebrate and increase acceptance and awareness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) community of Flagstaff and northern Arizona.

July Festivals

6. Hopi Festival of Arts & Culture

The Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture in Flagstaff is the only all Hopi art festival in Northern Arizona, hosted by the Hopi Arts and Education Association (HAEA), and in collaboration with community partners. The festival has a variety of talented Hopi artists, showcasing contemporary and traditional artwork from Kachina carvers, silversmiths, artwork and more…

7. Arizona Highland Celtic Festival

Experience the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival with everything from Guinness to highland games to Irish bands and dancing. The Arizona Highland Celtic Festival takes place at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff. Learn about the heritage, language, traditions, art, and history of the Celtic people both ancient and modern. 

September Festivals

8. Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Festival

The monsoon rains limit the amount of festivals until September but come the third weekend it’s time for the Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Festival to the Pepsi Amphitheater. Thousands attend this festival and tickets go fast, so if you love Bluegrass, buy your tickets early. 

9. Cornucopia Fall Festival

The following weekend plan to attend the Cornucopia Fall Festival, a festival designed to celebrate the best of fall and where pumpkins are plentiful.

October: The Final Flag Festival

10. Flagstaff Oktoberfest

The last major festival of the season is the Flagstaff Oktoberfest held the first weekend in October. Tap into your inner German and enjoy a wide variety of beer and polka music beneath the beauty of the leaves changing in Wheeler Park. The Flagstaff Oktoberfest was named one of the top 10 Oktoberfests under 10,000 attendees in the nation. Put on your lederhosen, grab a cold beer and enter one of the many contests.

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Flagstaff Has a Festival for Everyone!

There you have it! An overview of Flagstaff’s festival season. Admittedly I only covered the major festivals, we also have many other special events happening in and around the area all year long. 

Bottom line – come to Flagstaff and enjoy not only our beautiful scenery, our unlimited outdoor recreation, our cool summer temperatures but also one of our many festivals. 

Flagstaff Calendar