While Arizona is known for its dry desert vistas, Flagstaff experiences a full range of seasonal weather—that means blankets of snow in the winter, vibrant blooms in the spring, sunny days in the summer, and beautiful changing leaves in the fall. If you’re looking to take an autumnal retreat this fall season, Flagstaff is the perfect destination!
Add stargazing to your list of amazing things to do during your fall trip to Northern Arizona! On this page, you will find out how to get the best leaf-watching and stargazing out of your trip.
(Labor Day – Memorial Day)
Monday: Noon – 10pm
Tuesday: Noon – 6pm
Wednesday: Noon – 10pm
Thursday: Noon – 10pm
Friday: Noon – 10pm
Saturday: Noon – 10pm
Sunday: Noon – 10pm
Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky named after the vain queen Cassiopeia, mother of Andromeda, in Greek mythology, who boasted about her unrivaled beauty. To spot her in the sky, look for a ‘W’ shape ascending in the northeast after nightfall.
The constellation Pisces is easiest to see in October and November, or on late evenings in September. Because its stars are relatively dim, Pisces is most visible in a dark country sky. The constellation Pisces is part of a larger grouping of Pegasus, Andromeda, Aries, and Triangulum. It is also near Aquarius.
Aquarius is best seen in the evening sky during a Northern Hemisphere autumn or Southern Hemisphere spring. It’s just to the east of another zodiacal constellation, Capricornus. You can also use the Great Square of Pegasus to guide you toward Aquarius.
To find Andromeda, first look for the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia in the northern part of the sky. Andromeda is located directly next to Cassiopeia, and is also connected to a boxy shape of stars that make up the constellation Pegasus.
Aries is located in the Northern Hemisphere between Pisces to its west and Taurus to its east. The best view of Aries occurs on December nights around 9 p.m. local time. Alpha, Beta and Gamma Arietis are the three brightest stars within the Aries constellation.
To locate Perseus, look to the north, where Cassiopeia forms a bright “W” or “M” (depending on its orientation). If Cassiopeia resembles a “W,” Perseus will be the group of stars below the left part of the zig-zag. If Cassiopeia resembles an “M,” Perseus will be the group of stars below the right part of the zig-zag.
Look east just after dark for the Great Square of Pegasus around the time of the September equinox (which will occur on Thursday, Sept. 22 this year). Throughout late September and October evenings, the Great Square will be ascending in the eastern evening sky.
Cetus is easy to find as it is quite large and lies in a region of the sky lacking many stars. Cetus can be found most easily rising just above the eastern horizon in the fall and winter. The constellation is found just west of Taurus the Bull and East of Aquarius.
The constellation of Cepheus is bordered by the constellations Camelopardalis, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Draco, Lacerta, and Ursa Minor. To find Cepheus, carry out a naked-eye search for its asterism. The five stars in the ‘house’ are Errai, Alfirk, Alderamin, Delta Cephei, and Iota Cephei.
Use Discover Flagstaff’s virtual LEAF-ometer to check on the changing fall colors around Flagstaff throughout the autumn season! Whether you’re planning a scenic hike or a seasonal photo session, the LEAF-ometer will keep you updated on what kinds of fall colors to expect.
You can also visit DiscoverFlagstaff.com to see beautiful photos taken in various locations around Flagstaff and surrounding areas for an accurate foliage forecast.
North of Flagstaff off Highway 180 on Snowbowl Road.
(928) 779-1951
Arizona Snowbowl is well known as a skiing and snowboarding winter wonderland. However, every summer and autumn nature lovers can take to the skies on the Scenic Gondola. As you soar over the mountains, you will enjoy the glories of autumn’s crisp amber, with a bird’s eye view of the mixed fir and aspen tree canopy below. Located north of Flagstaff off Highway 180 on Snowbowl Road.
Sundays through October 29, 2023
Sundays 8 am-12 pm
(928) 853-2382
The freshest in regional fruits, vegetables, honey, baked goods, fresh flowers, tamales, jams, breads and more at City Hall on Sunday mornings and across from the Orpheum on Wednesdays.
October 7, 2023
11 am-8 pm
Munich returns to downtown Flagstaff, AZ, with the annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest. Kick off the autumn season with bratwurst, pretzels and Plenty of Beer! Guests will enjoy many crowd favorites including polka music, brat eating contest, stein holding competition and much more. Lace up your dirndl, throw on your lederhosen and grab a stein because Flagstaff is celebrating 13 years of the Flagstaff Oktoberfest!
September 21-23, 2023
This celebration offers discussions, telescope observing, night sky orientations, workshops (fee required), fascinating presentations about the stars and night skies and much more all in the First International Dark-Sky City. Event locations vary.
October 28, 2023
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
8 am- 5pm
Old-fashioned carnival games, spooky stories & face-painting, 100’s of lit Jack-o-Lanterns, and more details coming soon!
September 22-October 1, 2023
The Flagstaff Festival of Science is pleased to present “The Mammoth World of Science” September 22- October 1, 2023! The Festival features 10-days of engaging events and programs, all free, for the community to enjoy and celebrate the wonders of science! This year’s theme has been designed to showcase the fascinating research and scientific discovery of Beth Shapiro, PhD.
To experience the fall colors at their finest, hit the hiking trails and climb to 8,000 feet in elevation; where large stands of aspen trees steal the show with their quaking leaves glowing like liquid sunshine.
To find out when the leaves will be changing, check the Flagstaff LEAF-ometer to see color ranges for different regions throughout Flagstaff. A scenic drive is a great way to see the fall colors, and so is a glorious autumn hike.
