April 13–20, 2026 in Flagstaff, Arizona
(with pre-events beginning April 7)
International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) has been observed worldwide since 2003, drawing attention to the beauty, wonder and inspiration that dark star-filled skies bring to all.
The celebration was the inspiration of Jennifer Barlow, who described her motivation: “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. I want to help preserve its wonder.”
The Flagstaff community celebrates this vision with events beginning April 7 and continuing throughout IDSW week, inviting everyone to connect with the night and its inspiration, and enjoy the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, celebrating Flagstaff’s success in night sky protection and the benefits it brings to all life.
Do you have a telescope and are interested in sharing the stars? Sign up to be a telescope host below!
Calendar of Events
Telescope viewing is free at all events. Please note that certain activities, such as select admission or food and drink, may require a separate purchase.
Tuesday, April 710:00 am
Coconino County – IDSW 2026 Proclamation
Coconino County Administrative Building Board Room
219 E Cherry Ave, Flagstaff AZ, 86001
Sunset: 6:52 pm | End of twilight: 8:20 pm
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will issue a new proclamation recognizing April 13–20, 2026 as International Dark Sky Week in Coconino County.
Tuesday, April 73:30 pm
City of Flagstaff – IDSW 2026 Proclamation
Flagstaff City Hall, Council Chamber
211 W Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 6:52 pm | End of twilight: 8:20 pm
Flagstaff City Council will issue a proclamation declaring April 13–20, 2026 as International Dark Sky Week in the City of Flagstaff.
Thursday, April 095:00–9:30 pm
The Wild Dark | An Evening with Author Craig Childs
Coconino Center for the Arts
2300 N Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 6:54 pm | End of twilight: 8:22 pm
As part of the 2026 Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival, author Craig Childs will discuss his new book, The Wild Dark, at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Tickets for Craig’s talk are available for purchase from Eventbrite. Afterwards, join astronomers outside of CCA for free telescope viewing of the night sky.
Doors open at 5:00 pm. Talk from 6–7:00 pm. Telescope viewing from 7–9:30 pm.
Friday, April 107:30 pm
Stargazing & Beer Release, Dark Sky Brewing Co.
Dark Sky Brewing Company Beer Garden
103 W Birch Ave, Flagstaff AZ, 86001
Sunset: 6:55 pm | End of twilight: 8:23 pm
As a warm-up for Flagstaff’s International Dark Sky Week, Dark Sky Brewing Co. is releasing a special brew—The Stars are Calling—a 6% hazy IPA! While you’re enjoying your pint, see Jupiter and other celestial sights through an array of telescopes, right from the Beer Garden of DSB!
Saturday, April 117:30–9:30 pm
Celestial Saturdays at Americana Motor Hotel
Americana Motor Hotel
2650 Old Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Sunset: 6:56 pm | End of twilight: 8:24 pm
Come to Americana Motor Hotel on Route 66 for an out of this world experience with cultural astronomer Dr. Danielle Adams and other celestial tour guides. As the twilight sky darkens, you’ll see close-up telescopic views of Jupiter and distant clusters as telescope hosts share the cultural backstories behind some well-known star names, like Aldebaran, Betelgeuse and many more!
Sunday, April 126:00–9:30 pm
Night Chorus & Stargazing
Buffalo Park
2400 N Gemini Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 6:57 pm | End of twilight: 8:25 pm
Dr. Erika Nowak of NAU will introduce us to Northern Arizona’s harbinger of spring—the boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata)—welcoming Flagstaff’s spring weather with their enthusiastic song! Join Dr. Nowak for a brief presentation, followed by a short walk around Buffalo Park at twilight. Afterwards, stick around for stargazing to wrap up the evening!
Monday, April 137:30–10:00 pm
Telescope Viewing at NAU
Barry Lutz Telescope – Atmospheric Research Laboratory
1401 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Sunset: 6:57 pm | End of twilight: 8:26 pm
Northern Arizona University’s Barry Lutz Telescope for Education & Training, affectionately known as the “BLT”, will be open to the public for stargazing. Additional telescopes will also be set up nearby, allowing attendees to inspect a wide range of astronomical objects!
Parking will be free in NAU lots P38 and P39.
Tuesday, April 147:00–9:00 pm
Stargazing at Village Camp
Village Camp Flagstaff
1 VC Dr, Bellemont, AZ 86015
Sunset: 6:58 pm | End of twilight: 8:27 pm
Come to Bellemont on Tuesday, April 14 (7–9 pm), for a special International Dark Sky Week stargazing experience at Village Camp with the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition. Under northern Arizona’s star-filled skies, you’ll enjoy telescopic views of Jupiter, the stars of Orion and other celestial wonders, and learn how we keep our skies so dark and starry. Free and open to all—bring a friend and your sense of wonder!
Wednesday, April 155:45–9:30 pm
Owl Prowl with NAZ Audubon Society
Map Location
Elden Lookout Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 6:59 pm | End of twilight: 8:29 pm
Join Samantha Grow of the Northern Arizona Audubon Society for a guided Owl Prowl in the Dry Lake Hills area! The group will meet at the parking lot near the top of Mt. Elden Lookout road at 5:45 pm and will do a short twilight hike to search for owls and other creatures. Plan for a short (¼-mile), slow-paced walk on a dirt road. Participants should wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight or headlamp, and warm clothing.
Thursday, April 167:30–10:00 pm
Stargazing at DeMiguel’s Walker Observatory
DeMiguel Elementary School
3500 S Gillenwater Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 7:00 pm | End of twilight: 8:30 pm
Join us at DeMiguel’s Kenneth Walker Observatory for enhanced viewing of celestial objects in the spring sky!
Friday, April 177:00 pm
Stargazing & Beer Release at Mother Road Brewing Co.
Mother Road Brewing Company
7 S Mikes Pike, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 7:01 pm | End of twilight: 8:31 pm
Join Mother Road Brewing Company for the unveiling of Skylight City Stardust Lager, a star-inspired, special edition beer to commemorate Flagstaff’s starlit skies and the city’s designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City in 2001 — $5 pours of Skylight City from 7pm through close! A brief program will begin indoors at 7:00 pm, with stargazing to follow outside when the sky is dark enough.
This event is co-presented by Mother Road Brewing Company and the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.
Saturday, April 1811:00 am–2:00 pm
Earth Day Celebration
Bushmaster Park
3150 N Alta Vista Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Sunset: 7:01 pm | End of twilight: 8:32 pm
Join FDSC as we help celebrate Earth Day 2026 with the City of Flagstaff at Bushmaster Park! Remember: half of every Earth Day is “Earth Night!”
Saturday, April 185:00–10:00 pm
Starlight in the Square
Heritage Square
22 E Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 7:01 pm | End of twilight: 8:32 pm
Celebrate International Dark Sky Week with a unique, curated tasting and stargazing experience in Flagstaff’s historic Heritage Square. The event begins Saturday evening with selected food and specialty drinks themed to dark skies. As the twilight skies darken, Heritage Square will take on the warm, intimate glow of amber lighting as the Square’s lamps are doused and atmospheric music—provided by astronomer-musician Dr. David Koerner—fills the air. Enjoy laser-guided tours of the night sky throughout the evening and close-up views of Jupiter and other celestial objects through several telescopes scattered throughout the Square.
Guests 21 and older can enjoy locally-brewed favorites from Dark Sky Brewing Company and Mother Road Brewing company at our Biergarten!
Alcohol sold separately from other food and beverage tickets, which are available for purchase through the Downtown Flagstaff Foundation prior to and during the event.
Stargazing and music are free to attend.
This event is co-presented by the Downtown Business Alliance, the Downtown Flagstaff Foundation and the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.
Sunday, April 197:00–10:00 pm
Stargazing at Fort Tuthill County Park
Fort Tuthill County Park, Cochise Ramada
2446 Ft Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 7:02 pm | End of twilight: 8:33 pm
Discover the cosmos at Fort Tuthill County Park’s stargazing event, where you can reconnect to the wonder of the night sky. Coconino County representatives will talk about their efforts to protect dark skies, and telescopes will be available for public viewing.
Monday, April 207:30–9:30 pm
Stargazing at High Country Motor Lodge
High Country Motor Lodge
1000 W Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Sunset: 7:03 pm | End of twilight: 8:34 pm
In celebration of International Dark Sky Week, explore the universe with Dr. Danielle Adams, a cultural astronomer and dark sky advocate, at High Country Motor Lodge. As twilight deepens, you’ll experience the night sky through the lens of cultural astronomy, with close-up telescopic views of the crescent Moon, Venus and Jupiter. Dr. Adams will also reveal the rich histories behind well-known star names and showcase the giant Arabian Lion in the sky.
IDSW 2026 Sponsors
