Full Moon Concerts

Welcome to our Full Moon Summer Concert Series! We invite you to experience the natural beauty of Buffalo Park in a whole new light. Each event in this special series pairs the magic of a Flagstaff sunset and moonrise with live music, cultural storytelling and guided stargazing.

Bring your friends and family as we celebrate our community’s deep connection to the cosmos.

Admission for all events is free!

 

The 2026 Full Moon Summer Concert Series is funded by a Beautification in Action grant from the City of Flagstaff Beautification, Arts & Sciences Program. The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition is grateful to the City of Flagstaff for this support, as well as the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events Division for welcoming this concert series to Buffalo Park.

BAS Goddess

Blue Moon Rising Event Poster

Saturday, May 307:00–10:00 pm

Blue Moon Rising

Sunset: 7:34 pm | Moonrise: 7:30 pm | End of twilight: 9:19 pm

Event Schedule

7:00 pm | Seating & Exhibits

Arrive early to find your seat and explore our interpretive cultural astronomy exhibits about the Moon, plants and stars visible tonight. Scan the QR codes at the welcome table to access the digital evening program.

7:30 pm | Piano Concert Begins

Dr. David Koerner will begin his piano performance just as the Moon rises and the Sun sets. Between musical pieces, he’ll share some remarks on the Moon’s phases, features and geology.

Blue Moon Rising Program (click to view)
Rêverie L. 68 by Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
Welcome and Introduction—Dr. Danielle Adams (FDSC)
Welcome from the Beautification & Public Art Commission—Dr. Michael Rulon (NAU)
Remarks on Greeting the Moon (“Ooo’s and Aaah’s”)
Préludes, Book 1, L. 117, X. La cathédrale engloutie (Sunken Cathedral) by Claude Debussy
Remarks on Clair de lune
Suite bergamasque (L. 75) III. Clair de lune by Claude Debussy
Remarks on Lunar Phases and the Blue Moon
Berceuse D flat major op. 57 by Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849)
Cultural Astronomy Break: Lunar Stations

Dr. Danielle Adams will talk about the lunar zodiac, a concept used in Chinese, Indian, and Arabian astronomy. Tonight, the Moon is stationed at the Heart of the Scorpion.

Nocturne in B♭ minor, Op. 9, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin
Remarks on the Piano “Nocturne”
Nocturne in D♭ minor, L. 82 by Claude Debussy
Remarks on Lunar Features and Topography
Images, Bk. II L. 112, No 2 Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut (And the Moon Sets over the Temple That Was) by Claude Debussy
Remarks on Geologic History
Gaspard de la nuit, M.55, I. Ondine by Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Segue to Stargazing—Dr. Danielle Adams
~8:30–10:00 pm | Guided Stargazing & Cultural Astronomy

Peer through telescopes set up near the ramada. Telescope hosts will guide you through views of the Moon, Venus, Jupiter and the night’s brightest stars as Danielle shares more cultural astronomy insights.

Monday, June 297:00–10:00 pm

Strawberry Moon

Sunset: 7:45 pm | Moonrise: 8:02 pm | End of twilight: 9:32 pm

7:00 pm | Seating & Exhibits
7:45 pm | Piano Concert Begins
Program available in late June
Check back soon!
~8:45–10:00 pm | Guided Stargazing & Cultural Astronomy

Tuesday, July 287:00–10:00 pm

Rise of the Thunder Moon

Sunset: 7:33 pm | Moonrise: 7:20 pm | End of twilight: 9:11 pm

7:00 pm | Seating & Exhibits
7:30 pm | Piano Concert Begins
Program available in late July
Check back soon!
~8:30–10:00 pm | Guided Stargazing & Cultural Astronomy

Envisioning a world where everyone can see the Milky Way where they live

(c) 2025 Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition