If you’re already planning for the upcoming heat wave this summer under the hot Arizona sun, you might want to start planning your cool summer escape. Without a doubt, one of the coolest places to go in Arizona during the blistering summer months is Flagstaff. Many head to Northern Arizona to enjoy the amazing outdoor recreation areas, zipping through the trees and pounding the bike trails, while others are looking for a way to relax, enjoy the outdoors and be thoroughly entertained. A few unique individuals do both!
Following are the top 5 coolest festivals in Arizona this summer:
- June 9th & 10th – Flagstaff Blues and Brews Music Festival. We’ve found the best way to kick off summer is at the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival on June 9th and 10th. We suggest knocking off work early and heading up on Friday to start your weekend right listening to blues under the bright stars of Flagstaff. Entering its ninth year as a festival it tends to draw big name stars and this year doesn’t disappoint with Larkin Poe and Samantha Fish headlining Friday and Saturday nights. The festival also features some of the best craft Brews in the region from breweries like Mother Road Brewery and Barrio Brewing. Better grab your tickets soon as they tend to sell out early, especially the VIP tickets that provide for one of the best festival VIP experiences at a Blues festival. Check it out: https://flagstaffblues.craftwebx.com
- June 17th – Pride in the Pines. Flagstaff Pride delivers a diverse lineup of national, regional and local entertainers, featuring a diverse array of artists and performances. Food vendors and various exhibitors make this a wonderful and fun festival for the entire family. Pride in the Pines helps promote and support cultural diversity, civil and human rights by fighting discrimination of all kinds. Grab your tickets now to support awareness and acceptance. https://flagstaffpride.org/
- July 15th & 16st – Arizona Highland Celtic Festival. The Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society is dedicated to preserving the Celtic culture including language, traditions, arts and history. The festival kicks off with the highland games including many traditional athletic competitions like the hammer throw, caber toss, sheaf and many other games. Celtic bands will be taking the stage throughout the day. There will be many different exhibitors and if you are curious about your Celtic pride, visit the genealogy research tent. This tends to be a very popular festival so make sure to get your tickets soon as they go fast! https://nachs.info/celtic-festival/
- September 15th, 16th & 17th – Pickin’ in the Pines. Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music (FFOTM) hosts the award-winning bluegrass and acoustic music festival featuring the best traditional and contemporary bluegrass music, coupled with other styles of acoustic music and dance such as Celtic, gypsy jazz and more. This year’s featured artists include Sam Bush, Railroad Earth, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and many more. The festival also features educational workshops and as well as a band contest, all in a family friendly setting. Local and regional food vendors make this a must attend event. https://pickininthepines.org/
- October 7th – Flagstaff Oktoberfest. And yes we KNOW, Summer officially ends in September. But the Flagstaff Oktoberfest is in its 14th year as a community tradition to bid farewell to summer and kick off the autumn season. With a focus on German heritage there is Polka music, brat eating contests, stein holding competitions and much more. Musical artists include the Thirsty Five and more. Join the fun and enter the Brat Eating Contest, Men’s and Women’s Beer Stein Holding Contest or the Frozen T-shirt Contest. Audience participation is encouraged and so lace up your dirndl, throw on your lederhosen and grab your stein for a rousing good time! https://flagstaffoktoberfest.com/
