Mars and Jupiter are set to shine at Flagstaff’s International Dark Sky Week, the world’s first and largest international dark sky city, at a weekly event from April 21-27. The celebration, sponsored by the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) and its partners, underscores the local commitment to maintaining a natural night sky through gatherings of events, art and community that showcase nighttime starry sky.

As a warm-up to the official week, Sunset Crater Volcanoes National Monument offers a presentation at the amphitheater on the lava float trail, followed by a constellation tour and a telescope to see the starry sky. Evening activities will be free on Saturday, April 19th at 7:30pm, coinciding with the start of National Park Week.

Throughout the week, highlights include:

• Monday, April 21st: 7pm at Coconino Centre for Arts, the Dark Sky Quartet will perform “Over Planets,” arranged a string quartet by David Koerner, and present in collaboration with Creative Flagstaff. CCA Theater’s music selection involves projections of planets and other celestial bodies, and involves stargazing outdoors on the CCA premises.
• Wednesday, April 23rd: Mother Road Brewing Company unveils a special edition of craft beer to commemorate Flagstaff’s starry sky at 7pm, with the telescope looking out on the patio.
• Thursday, April 24th: “Starlight in the Square,” a curated night of Stargazing and Local Flavors, presented in collaboration with the Downtown Business Alliance and the Downtown Flagstaff Foundation. The event begins at sunset with heavy horse hors d’oeuvres and a specialist drink themed around dark skies. As the Twilight sky darkens, Heritage Square assumes the warm, intimate glow of the amber lighting as the lamps in the square are sucked in and the music in the air fills the air. Guests can experience a laser guided tour of the night sky in the evening, and view close-up views of Mars, Jupiter and other celestial objects through the square’s telescope. Tickets are available at downtownflagstaff.org/events/starlight-in-square.
• Friday, April 25th: The Northern Arizona Museum will offer Stargaze in a few hours.
• Saturday, April 26th: Orphaum Theatre, the site of the 17th Annual Viola Awards announced by Creative Flagstaff, will open its patio for telescope viewing after the award program for participants with ticketed Viola Awards. For tickets, please visit CreativeFlagstaff.org/viola/2025-viola-awards/.
• Sunday, April 27th: Week ends under the stars with a free laser guided star tour and telescope viewing at Buffalo Park, from 7:30pm to 10pm

““We are committed to providing a wide range of services,” said Dr. Daniel Adams, Interim Executive Director of FDSC. “This week is an invitation for communities and visitors to experience the wonders of the stars, learning why we should protect the night sky and discovering how other cities can bring the Milky Way back into the night sky.”

The coalition is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year as an organization that will recognize the importance of dark skies to northern Arizona and help showcase Flagstaff’s efforts to maintain dark starry nights as a model for other cities. “We are excited to show others what we can do when city skies are protected from an increase in artificial skyglow,” Adams said. Special 25th Anniversary FDSC T-shirts are available at the Select International Dark Sky Week event.

“FDSC President Chris Luginbuhl added: By following the Flagstaff model, you can bring Milky Way home almost anywhere, without giving up on a thriving economy or safety to do so. FBN

Bonnie Stevens, FBN

The full schedule and event details can be found at flagstaffdarkskies.org/international-dark-skyweek. The Flagstaff Dark Skies Union envisions a world where everyone can see the Milky Way where they live. Since its founding in 2000, the Union has worked with communities such as Flagstaff to protect the skies of Northern Arizona for future generations. The FDSC is dedicated to reconnecting people with the adoration and wonders of the starry sky by fostering and celebrating the dark ski spirit of Flagstaff and northern Arizona, and educating and advocating for starry sky restoration in other communities. For more information about FDSC, please visit flagstaffdarkskies.org.

Courtesy Photo: The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition is holding space activities in recognition of the 25th anniversary of International Dark Sky Week and Coalition.