Ask Flagstaff · The holiday season
From Snowbowl’s opening day in late November to Noon Year’s Eve at Heritage Square, this is the Christmas in Flagstaff calendar the town hands out every year. Each event links to its official source so you can confirm before you go.
Photo: Pexels
The whole season · What to expect
At 7,000 feet, Flagstaff turns into a winter wonderland from late November through New Year’s, with downtown lit by 150,000+ lights and a full calendar built around free family events. Most of the season happens on foot in the same few blocks, so you can string a whole weekend together around a tree lighting, a free movie, and a hot cider in between.
The dates below are the 2026 season exactly as the linked official sources state them. Times are included only where a source gives one, nothing is invented, and anything that is free is marked as such. Where a source varies, the downtown Flagstaff holidays page is the tie-breaker.
Holiday Shopping Passport
Shop local in downtown Flagstaff and earn rewards all season. The passport runs from late November through early January, so pick one up and let it guide you through the shops while the trees are lit.
See the holidays calendarIn date order · The 2026 calendar
Ten events plus the all-season shopping passport, arranged the way the season happens. Each one links to its official source, and free events are marked with a ribbon. Dates can shift, so confirm on the source before you make the drive.
Friday · November 20
The 2026/27 ski season kicks off on the San Francisco Peaks: first tracks, live music, and season passes honored. It is the moment Flagstaff officially becomes a winter town for the season.
Arizona Snowbowl opening day
Friday · November 27
Downtown's cozier take on the big shopping day, with local deals instead of the mad rush. Start your holiday shopping along the mall without leaving town.
Slack Friday details
Saturday · November 28
Support Flagstaff’s independent shops with special offers and giveaways. One day built for the stores, makers, and owners who make downtown itself worth the trip.
Small Business Saturday details
Monday · November 30
The local antidote to Cyber Monday: warm complimentary cider at participating downtown shops. A good reason to walk the mall and shop local instead of clicking through it.
Cider Monday details Saturday · December 5 · 2:30–7pm
FreeAt Heritage Square, the official kickoff of the downtown season: bounce houses, crafts, yard games, face painting, letters to Santa, and live music, closing with Santa lighting the downtown tree. Free.
Winter Wonderland details Saturdays · December 5, 12 & 19
FreeFree family-favorite holiday movies on the big screen: Home Alone, Elf, and The Polar Express. Doors open early for crafts with the kids before each film.
Winter Movie Series details Sundays · December 6, 13 & 20 · mornings
FreeFree holiday storytime sessions featuring Santa at downtown coffee shops on Sunday mornings. A quiet, warm stop for families between the bigger events.
Storytime with Santa Sunday · December 6
FreeFree pet photos with Santa, benefiting High Country Humane. Bring the dog (or the cat who tolerates it) for a holiday keepsake that helps local shelter animals.
Howlidays details Saturday · December 12
The holiday bar crawl through downtown, with festive drink specials, karaoke, and plenty of cheer. A grown-ups evening along the same lit-up mall the family events run on.
12 Bars of Christmas Thursday · December 31 · 10am–1pm
FreeAt Heritage Square, a free family-friendly countdown to noon with the Weatherford Hotel's Pinecone Drop, crafts, games, and a sparkling cider toast for the little ones. New Year's without the midnight bedtime.
Noon Year's Eve detailsPlanning your trip or the moves?
The events above are the season’s best moments, but the full picture of Flagstaff winter lives in the site’s Flagstaff Winter Guide. That is where you will find when the first snow lands, how much falls, how I-17, I-40 and Highway 180 behave on a storm day, and where to ski and play after the lights go up.
Photo: Pexels
Thinking about living in Flagstaff? Talk to Mike Konefal.
A flag in a holiday parade is a good start; a local who has lived here 26 years is better. Send Mike your move question on the property hub and get a straight answer.
Talk to Mike Konefal