Flagstaff Celebrates its Star-Filled Night Skies

All events (except workshops) are FREE!

The 2024 Flagstaff Star Party and Celebration of the Night brings six weeks of exciting and awe-inspiring events showcasing Flagstaff’s beautiful night skies!

See our 2025 Sponsors and Supporters

Protection of the night sky began in Flagstaff in 1958 – and Flagstaff continues to set the standard for effective night sky protection. A High Country News story by Peter Friederici – Stargazers defend darkness in Arizona – and David Portree’s award-winning story Flagstaff’s Battle for Dark Skies describe our special history and role in what is now an international dark-sky movement.

FDSC board member Dr. Danielle Adams talks to CNN

2025 Flagstaff Star Party and Celebration of the Night Events


	DARK SKIES DOWNTOWN Downtown businesses in the First International Dark Sky City embrace their dark side! The First Friday ArtWalk kicks off six weeks of exhibits and special events showcasing Flagstaff's famous dark skies. A partnership of the Downtown Business Alliance, Creative Flagstaff, and the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.	When: – September 5 through October
	First Friday ArtWalk
	ArtWalk at the Icehouse Dr. Danielle Adams	When: September 5 Time: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
	From Artemis to Zorya: The Role of the Feminine Divine Throughout History An event presented by Culture Connection that includes a presentation from FDSC's Danielle Adams about female figures in Arabian cultural astronomy. See More	When: September 5 Time: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM Where: The Ice House 201 E Birch Ave
	Meet the Stars! Telescope viewing at Heritage Square	When: September 5 Time: 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
	Arizona Handmade – 13 N. San Francisco St. Daniel Josley – Stories of the Ancient Ones	When: September 5 Time: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM for First Friday Throughout September and October for the gallery exhibit
	The Milky Way above the San Francisco Peaks, the stillness of a starlit forest, the moon highlighting rock formations, a campfire’s warmth within the darkness of a quiet night. These inspire artists to create and spark personal memories in their viewers. The dark, starry skies are precious to all of us, and we’re grateful for the Dark Skies Coalition’s efforts to keep them an inherent part of Northern Arizona
	The Artist's Gallery – 17 N. San Francisco St. Arline Martens – fabric mixed-media	When: September 5 Time: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM for First Friday Throughout September and October for the gallery exhibit
	As Flagstaff artists, we value the continued inspiration provided by the dark night skies and the beauty of Northern Arizona. Access to the great outdoors and the compelling dark skies renew artists' soul, passion and source for creative expression. Art and science are both based on observation and interpretation, our access to our own dark skies allows our artists, of varied backgrounds and cultures, to observe, study, interpret and preserve our connection to the night. We all benefit from the preservation of dark night skies.
	The Phoenix Avenue Gallery – 2 South Beaver St. Patricia Kearney – Sunrise over the Peaks	When: September 5 Time: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM for First Friday Throughout September and October for the gallery exhibit

	Night Sky Photography Workshop with Jeremy Perez Jeremy Perez	When: 19 Sept 5:30-8:30PM Where: USGS Astrogeology
	Let the night sky transform your photography. In this workshop, you will learn how to use your own camera to capture beautiful landscapes beneath dark skies exploding with stars. Your instructor, Jeremy Perez, is a Flagstaff art director with more than 4 decades of photography experience and more than 20 years photographing and studying the night sky. He is a published author, illustrator and columnist for astronomy publications and avidly pursues nightscape, nature, landscape, macro and storm photography.RESERVATION REQUIRED PURCHASE TICKETS
	Celestial Saturdays at Americana Motor Hotel Dr. Danielle Adams	When: 20 Sept 7:30-9:30PM Where: Americana Motor Hotel 2650 E Rte 66
	Come to Americana Motor Hotel on select Saturdays for an out of this world experience with cultural astronomer Dr. Danielle Adams. As the twilight sky darkens, you'll see close-up telescopic views of the Moon and planets (*visibility varies, see schedule) as Danielle shares the cultural backstories behind some well-known star names, like Aldebaran, Betelgeuse and many more! See More	When: 20 Sept 7:30-9:30PM Where: Americana Motor Hotel 2650 E Rte 66

	FLAGSTAFF STAR PARTY Thurs Sept 25 thru Sat Sept 27
	THURSDAY September 25
	Sunset Shadows and Circles Brian Skiff	When: Sep 25 6:00-6:30 PM Where: Buffalo Park 1/4 mile marker on the urban trail (10 minute walk from parking area!)
	Have you ever watched the sunset in the east? Join Lowell Observatory's Brian Skiff as he takes you on insightful tour of the subtle transition from sunset into twilight at Flagstaff's Buffalo Park, including the Earth-shadow and Belt of Venus in the east, as well as layered pastel colors over the Sun in the west. Join lifelong sky watcher Brian and watch shadows stretch to the eastern horizon! See this preview from the 2020 Flagstaff Star Party The Heiligenschein
	TWILIGHT TALK -- Betelgeuse, Siwarha and the Modern Naming of Our Stars	When: Sep 25 6:45-7:15 PM Where: Buffalo Park Pavilion
	The recent probable discovery of a companion to Orion's Betelgeuse—unofficially nicknamed Siwarha—demonstrates the ongoing cultural impact of the names we use in the night sky, and the importance of having dark skies to tell their stories. Once the companion star had been detected, the discovery team looked into the backstory behind Betelgeuse's name and found the research of Danielle Adams, who is not only the FDSC interim executive director, but also a cultural astronomer and member of the IAU's Working Group on Star Names. Danielle will share the story of the indigenous Arabian constellation of al-Jawzā', how her figure in the sky inspired the nickname Siwarha for Betelegeuse's new companion star, and the ongoing activities of the Working Group on Star Names.
	Hosted Telescope Observing	When: Sep 25 6:00-10:00 PM Where: Buffalo Park
	FRIDAY September 26
	Sunset Shadows and Circles (reprise) Brian Skiff	When: Sep 26 6:00-6:30 PM Where: Buffalo Park 1/4 mile marker on the urban trail (10 minute walk from parking area!)
	Have you ever watched the sunset in the east? Join Lowell Observatory's Brian Skiff as he takes you on insightful tour of the subtle transition from sunset into twilight at Flagstaff's Buffalo Park, including the Earth-shadow and Belt of Venus in the east, as well as layered pastel colors over the Sun in the west. Join lifelong sky watcher's Brian and watch shadows stretch to the eastern horizon! See this preview from the 2020 Flagstaff Star Party The Heiligenschein
	TWILIGHT TALK -- Starlight is Good for your Health Dr. Klaus Brasch	When: Sep 26 6:45-7:15 PM Where: Buffalo Park Pavilion
	Dr. Klaus Brasch explores connections between the night and the living world… "Light pollution is not just bad for astronomy and sky watching, but also for the health and well being of people, animals and the natural environment. In addition to disrupting natural cycles such as sleep and hormone production, excessive outdoor lighting in cities is wasteful and costly and counter productive. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas production, as well as air and water pollution. Together, these negatively impact human and environmental well being. I will highlight some of these issues as well as describe solutions."
	Hosted Telescope Observing	When: Sep 26 6:00-10:00 PM Where: Buffalo Park
	SATURDAY September 27
	Night Music	When: Sep 27 6:00-7:00 PM Where: Buffalo Park
	Dark Sky Quartet returns to share an evening of night music as the sun sets and the stars fill the sky.
	Hosted Telescope Observing	When: Sep 27 6:00-10:00 PM Where: Buffalo Park

	Night Sky Photography Workshop with Stan Honda	When: 3 Oct 5:30-8:30PM Where: USGS Astrogeology
	Join photojournalist Stan Honda. This extraordinary opportunity will allow participants to learn how to photograph the night sky with a master. Honda will conduct a three-part workshop introducing basic techniques to capture beautiful night sky photos with modern digital cameras. The three-hour session will include learning about your camera, a short slideshow of Honda’s work, and (weather permitting) a photo shoot in the beautiful night skies at Buffalo Park. Facemasks required. RESERVATION REQUIRED PURCHASE TICKETS

	Flagstaff Dark Skies speaker series
	Saving the Night Christian Luginbuhl	When: Oct 11 7:00-8:00 PM Where: TBA
	Flagstaff has a secret the world needs to know.FDSC president Chris Luginbuhl will lay out the astounding facts behind Flagstaff success in protecting its night skies, a success which has led to the Coalition's new vision Envisioning a world where everyone can see the Milky Way where they live.
	Bryan Bates -- Title TBA Dr. Bryan Bates	When: Oct 18 7:00-8:00 PM Where: TBA
	Topic TBA