Discover hands-on workshops in painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and more. Whether you’re just beginning or expanding your skills, Sedona Arts Center offers a welcoming place to grow creatively.
FLAGSTAFF — Luminarias will once again light way for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Flagstaff.
The Celebration begins on Thursday, Dec. 11 when participants meet at 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 224 S Kendrick St., Flagstaff. A bus will also pick up participants at San Francisco de Asis Church to take them to the chapel.
The procession will begin from the chapel to San Francisco de Asis Church at 5:30 p.m. Danza San Francisco de Asis will perform at 6:15 p.m. at the Fire Station and again at 7 p.m. at San Francisco de Asis Church. A Reenactment of the Apparition and Consecration to the Virgin Mary will be held at 7:15 p.m. (There will be not Mass on the 11th).
2024 Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration.
On Friday, Dec. 12, a Mass will be held at 5:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, where participants will be greeted by the glow of more than 100 luminaries surrounding the chapel placed by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces,
South Rim Water Update – December 2, 2025
Grand Canyon National Park continues to address the significant breaks along the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL). As announced, additional water restrictions and a temporary suspension of overnight guest lodging on the South Rim will begin Saturday, December 6.
This short-term measure will help conserve limited water supplies while repairs continue. The park remains open for day use, and overnight lodging in Tusayan and other gateway communities is unaffected.
COCONINO COUNTY — Small businesses, community stakeholders and residents impacted by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires are invited to help shape recovery priorities through a series of nine community recovery listening sessions during the week of Dec. 8.
Coconino County contracted AC Disaster Consulting to develop a Long-Term Recovery Plan to address the impacts of the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires. This plan will include economic/tourism, health/social and natural/cultural resource recovery initiatives for the county, local jurisdictions, Tribal Nations and Grand Canyon communities.
COCONINO COUNTY — The 2026 Point-in-Time Count is almost upon us, and my amazing team of fellow organizers and community partners wanted to pass along a little bit of information regarding what we know so far and what to expect going forward!
If you are unfamiliar with the Point-in-Time Count, it is a survey conducted across the nation that aims to survey people experiencing homelessness and ask them where they were staying on one particular night during the week of the survey (whether that be a shelter, Safe Haven, in a place not meant for habitation, etc.).
Join Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and NAU’s Community Dance Academy this weekend, December 5 and 6, for The Nutcracker Ballet—a beloved holiday tradition filled with color, wonder, and joy.
With three performances to choose from, there’s a perfect time for every family and every holiday schedule. Let Tchaikovsky’s shimmering score and Clara’s enchanted journey bring delight your weekend.
We’d love to celebrate the season with you. Reserve your seats today.
Yes, I’ll be there!
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
Each week, the Coalition produces a weekly newsletter where we share partner news and events in our blog section and links to community resource meetings.
For families in Northern Arizona, we share information on variety of family-friendly events throughout the county, recent and upcoming information through our stories and photographs to food security, education, health and other programs. We also share links to a variety of resource guides in Northern Arizona.
During this season of togetherness and reflection, we are grateful for you—our friends, members, donors, and visitors who make the Museum of Northern Arizona such a special place. This year brought inspiring moments—from unveiling Collecting in a Changing World and exploring the stories behind Wagon Road to Mother Road, to welcoming curious hands at our Touch Tables and gathering for Twilight Thursdays and our Heritage programs. Your support helps us celebrate the stories, art, and cultures of the Colorado Plateau every day.
We’re excited to launch The Connected Communities Monthly Challenge! This special campaign invites our supporters to build $400 per month in steady, sustaining gifts. And here’s the exciting part: when we reach this goal, an anonymous donor will contribute an additional $5,000 to amplify your impact.
This Giving Tuesday, Creative Flagstaff is rallying our community to support a major initiative for Youth Arts Engagement & Accessibility at Coconino Center for the Arts. Thanks to a generous commitment from the Robert Lehman Foundation, we’re already halfway to our $30,000 goal—and with your help, we can bring this transformative space to life.
Single Tickets are now available for our 2026 Season! This is your opportunity to select the performances you are most looking forward to and secure the seats you love.
Our upcoming season features a dynamic lineup of productions that celebrate storytelling at its best. From heartfelt dramas to uplifting comedies, each show offers something unique, and we’re thrilled to share these experiences with you.
We look forward to welcoming you into the theatre for another season of memorable moments, inspiring performances, and the shared joy of live arts.
This week, we’re getting out votes for a massive special election in Tennessee and calling on you to put the pressure on three of Trump’s biggest corporate collaborators. Before we jump into your to-dos, here’s Ezra to explain why We Ain’t Buying It this weekend (Nov. 27 through Dec. 1)!
Friday, December 5th, 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 6th, 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 7th, 2:30 PM
The Stargazer Winter Cabaret is a joyous blend of showtunes, dancing, live music, and acting to celebrate the holidays and help us reflect on the true meaning of the season, spreading love. This fully produced family friendly show is perfect for all ages and will feature songs from Wicked, Hamilton, Anastasia, White Christmas, Moana, and more!
BECOME A MEMBER Exhibitions Concerts & Events Workshops Just a Reminder We’re taking some time to make things shine! The gallery will be CLOSED through Dec 2 for facility improvements, including new wall-to-wall carpeting and contemporary seating in the theater.…
As we wrap up the 40th Anniversary of Coconino Center for the Arts, we are reflecting on how this deeply supportive community has shaped our organization over the years. Now, we are building on our historic legacy with responsiveness and flexibility to keep the organization relevant and sustainable for the next 40 years. We are grateful for your prior participation and contributions that have helped lay the foundation for our work today!
We are entering the next chapter with exciting new developments. We want to give you the first opportunity to support these new initiatives through naming and sponsorship where Creative Flagstaff recognizes you, your business, or a loved one as a core part of our legacy. We invite you to consider the ways that your interests align with our needs:
We have exciting news to share! Thanks to an anonymous group of donors, your donation to MNA between now and December 31 will be doubled – doubling your impact as we prepare for big things in 2026.
With your help, MNA is poised to share our mission with more people than ever, expanding our work to create new exhibitions and educational programs, plus increasing access so that more people can visit the museum. The impact of your gift today will be doubled as you support:
Donate
New exhibitions in the coming year, including an expansion of MNA’s katsina doll display, plus three new exhibitions in our rotating galleries.
Programs to encourage more visitors to MNA, such as discounted admission of $10 on Sundays for Northern Arizona residents; subsidies for school field trips; and free admission for local college students.
Longstanding MNA traditions such as the Heritage Festival of Art & Culture, plus new initiatives including Indigenous demonstrations, interactive activities, and tours and talks related to rotating exhibitions.
Serving as both a legendary perreo and a platform to showcase up-and-coming talent in the reggaetón and Latinx scenes, the collective is determined to break the boundaries of latin music and push the culture forward. 9 p.m
Learn More
Together Through the Shutdown
A message from Superintendent Ed Keable
As Grand Canyon National Park resumes normal operations following the lapse of appropriations, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire Grand Canyon community—residents, partners, and local organizations—who stood together during an exceptionally difficult time.
This government shutdown placed real strain on families, employees, and businesses here at the Grand Canyon. Yet even in the most challenging moments, the strength of our community was unmistakable.
Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) played an extraordinary role throughout the shutdown, offering steady support when it was most needed. Their generosity provided community dinners, essential funding to sustain key park projects, and donations that directly supported local services relied on by many during this period. GCC’s commitment to this community is deeply appreciated, and we thank them for continuing to show up for Grand Canyon residents.
Paws in training
Karen Sealander, a professor in the Department of Educational Specialties, brings her dog to work every day, though not strictly for puppy snuggles. For more than 20 years, she has helped raise service dogs in training as a volunteer puppy raiser for the national nonprofit Canine Companions. From teaching them how to sit in a classroom full of people to training them to stay when an NAU food bot blocks their path, her work has infused NAU with a happy helping of puppy love.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
With a variety of program service changes affecting nonprofit and governmental agencies, it is vital that organizations maintain communications and partner with each other to better serve families and youth at this time of uncertain funding support.
To aid in that effort, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth maintains this listing of virtual and in-person health and welfare resource networking meetings held each month in Coconino County and Northern Arizona.
The meetings offer health professionals and representatives from a variety groups the opportunity to share information on upcoming programs and events that benefit the educational, health and welfare needs of children, youth and families throughout the region.
The following is a listing of some of those meetings. Please check with individual meeting group coordinators for updated times, dates and meeting links. Please send any updates to frank@coconinokids.org
Theatrikos is delighted to present its upcoming holiday production, the heartwarming true story The Man Who Saved Christmas. Written by Ron Lytle and directed by Joe Maniglia, this captivating, family-friendly production will run from November 26 to December 21, 2025.
This delightful, family-friendly play tells the incredible true story of A.C. Gilbert, the inventor of the beloved Erector Set. The year is 1917, and the U.S. Council of National Defense is calling for a nationwide ban on all Christmas toys to conserve resources for the war effort. While others in the toy industry reluctantly agree, Gilbert stands up for what he believes in. This inspiring tale follows his journey to Washington D.C. to defend Christmas itself, proving that the magic of the holiday is worth fighting for.
We’re excited to bring you the latest highlights, updates, and opportunities from across our vibrant STEM community. Each month, you’ll receive a newsletter that celebrates local innovation, showcases upcoming events, and connects Flagstaff to the broader national STEM landscape.
From hands-on activities and inspiring student projects to professional development and community partnerships, our goal is to keep you informed and engaged in the many ways STEM continues to shape our schools, city, and future.
Thank you for being part of our mission to make Flagstaff a hub for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Together, we’re building curiosity, creativity, and opportunity for learners of all ages.
WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is planning prescribed fire pile burns on up to approximately 9,000 acres on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through the winter as weather conditions allow.
Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews in hand piles and after the completion of timber projects, with the aim of reducing flammable fuels. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather and wind, and resource availability. We use prescribed fire to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
Meet the Gold Axe winners
This year’s class is composed of 23 Gold Axe winners, including two President’s Prize winners, and 10 students who were honored as Distinguished Seniors of their colleges. See who won and what President Cruz Rivera said about their accomplishments.
We’re taking some time to make things shine!
The gallery will be CLOSED Nov 21-Dec 2 for facility improvements, including new wall-to-wall carpeting and contemporary seating in the theater. Stay tuned for updates!
Please consider sponsoring a CCA Theater Seat, see details below.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
✨ Create. Learn. Connect.
From painting and ceramics to photography and mixed media, Sedona Arts Center offers workshops for every skill level — both in-person and online. Join us and be part of Sedona’s creative heartbeat.
FLAGSTAFF — Spanish language and English learning students at Coconino High School celebrated el Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead with their fourth annual shoebox ofrenda / altar competition.
Parents and students had the opportunity to view the ofrenda, ceramic sugar skulls, La Catrina images and other artworks during a celebration on Nov. 3, 2025. The winners were selected recently with students and others voting throughout the month, said teacher Francy Solarte
The event included a performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff and food prepared by students from the CHS Culinary Arts Level III and Baking and Pastry class.
Winners from the 2024 competition were recently at a special ofrenda by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces at the recent Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
The Showgirl Era: A Swiftie Takeover (Nov. 14)
The Orpheum Theater
SWIFTIES UNITE! It’s time to Shake it off and celebrate Taylor Swift’s new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ with a night of dancing through the eras, one drag queen at a time. 8:30 p.m.
Learn More
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
✨ Create. Learn. Connect.
From painting and ceramics to photography and mixed media, Sedona Arts Center offers workshops for every skill level — both in-person and online. Join us and be part of Sedona’s creative heartbeat.
November, GCC invites the Grand Canyon community to come together for weekly complimentary dinners ac Plaza Bonita and Maswik cafeteria. Community members will\ receive complimentary meals for themselves and their families for as long as supplies last.
The Festival Fête auction will remain open for just 36 more hours, so register, place your bids and support a good cause!
Your participation helps fund STEM education opportunities in Flagstaff through the development of science programming for youth in Flagstaff! Make an impact today and at the same time, win some amazing items such as unique experiences, valuable services, gift cards, body treatments, local art, and cool products!
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park will close the North Rim to all visitor access on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at 5:20 p.m. Sections of the North Rim are tentatively expected to reopen to visitors for the 2026 season on May 15, pending weather, trail conditions, infrastructure readiness, and completion of hazard mitigation efforts.
The North Rim reopened to visitors with limited access to eastern viewpoints this autumn following an extended closure caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire. The area was tentatively scheduled to remain open through November 30. However, forecasts call for winter weather and snowfall beginning this weekend. These conditions are expected to create unsafe travel and work environments in an area still recovering from post-fire hazards.
The Verde Valley Pottery Festival returns this weekend at beautiful D.A. Ranch in Cornville!
Join us Saturday, November 15, from 10 am – 5 pm, and Sunday, November 16, from 10 am – 3 pm for a weekend celebrating clay, creativity, and community.
Discover the work of 14 exceptional ceramic artists from across the region — each presenting a distinctive collection of handmade pottery available for purchase. Enjoy live demonstrations, fun clay activities for kids, and a welcoming atmosphere surrounded by the scenic vineyard backdrop.
FREDONIA — At the recent Grow Together Fredonia, participants provided the following links to families who may be affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) families in Coconino County will continue to receive benefits without interruption through December 31, 2025, due to the approval of emergency funding by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. …
Food Resources:
DES updates on SNAP benefits https://des.az.gov/na
Additional DES food resources https://des.az.gov/food-assistance
DES emergency food boxes https://des.az.gov/emergency-food
Double up Food Bucks location finder for Farmer’s Markets https://doubleupaz.org/locations/
Food banks https://azfoodbanks.org/get-food/#find
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, staff and community who make our parks thrive. Your time, energy and passion help create spaces where people can connect, play and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. As we look ahead to the holiday season, we are especially grateful for each of you and the difference you make.
Alex Rupert, Suzy Allan,
and Tom Yazzie
Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. Sedona Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.
FLAGSTAFF — Visitors to the Market of Dreams were greeted with music, flower-making workshops, games, face painting and a live performance in front of a colorful ofrenda / Altar at the inaugural Día de los Muertos Festival on Nov. 2.
Celebrated appropriately on All Souls Day, the event was presented by Chicanos por la Causa (CPLC).
A variety of other events celebrating Día de los Muertos were held in the region this past week. They included:
COCONINO COUNTY — At the recent Grow Together Fredonia meeting, participants provided the following links to families who may be affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) families in Coconino County will continue to receive benefits without interruption through December 31, 2025, due to the approval of emergency funding by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. …
Food Resources:
DES updates on SNAP benefits https://des.az.gov/na
Additional DES food resources https://des.az.gov/food-assistance
DES emergency food boxes https://des.az.gov/emergency-food
Double up Food Bucks location finder for Farmer’s Markets https://doubleupaz.org/locations/
Food banks https://azfoodbanks.org/get-food/#find
Also see other local food resources here
READ MORE
From painting and ceramics to photography and mixed media, Sedona Arts Center offers workshops for every skill level — both in-person and online. Join us and be part of Sedona’s creative heartbeat.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, staff and community who make our parks thrive. Your time, energy and passion help create spaces where people can connect, play and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. As we look ahead to the holiday season, we are especially grateful for each of you and the difference you make.
FLAGSTAFF — From a daily Parade de los Muertos in the courtyard featuring members of Ballet Folkloric de Colores — Flagstaff, to large colorful canvas murals created by students throughout Northern Arizona, the 22nd annual Celebraciones de la Gente (Celebrations of the People) offered several new features during its presentation on Oct. 25, 26 at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Sponsored by the Museum in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, the annual Día de los Muertos celebration of course included its traditional display of altars / ofrendas, approaching nearly two dozen this year, cultural lectures on the Latino impact in Flagstaff and the art of creating these meaningful ofrendas.
The event opened with a private blessing by Nuestras members to the four directions of the compass, followed by the lighting of the ofrendas.
There were plenty of activities for young people including five completely sold out sugar skull decorating workshops for students, face painting, Día de los Muertos crafts and calaveritas (short poetry).
Adults and young people were also entertained with a Mexican loteria (lottery) game, a variety of Arizona food vendors.
Performances included Ballet Folklórico de Colores of Flagstaff, with the dance group concluding their daily performance by parading through the museum’s Jaime Major Golightly Courtyard dressed in their colorful Día de los Muertos-themed costumes.
A special annual treat is the Courtyard After Dark celebration, where the lights are dimmed with the candlelight ofrendas offering a moving display. The evening included the performance by Mariachi Agave from Tucson, which also provided daily performances in the museum’s Branigar/Chase Discovery Center.
Also see:
• Arizona Daily Sun — Flag’s Día de los Muertos celebrations invite the community to honor traditions
• Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in Sedona — Marigold Mural project to be held on Oct. 30-Nov. 1
• Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in Sedona — Day of the Dead celebration to be held on Nov. 1
Join us in Downtown Flagstaff for a FREE, fun, and safe way to spend Halloween for the entire family! 4 p.m. Free.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 3 Water Restrictions and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Oct. 31, 2025, in response to limited water availability and construction activities associated with the ongoing Transcanyon Waterline Replacement Project.
A temporary interruption in water pumping is scheduled for Nov. 4 through approximately Nov. 18 to allow crews to replace and test a critical pipeline segment. This work is part of a multi-year effort to modernize the park’s aging water delivery system, expected to be completed in 2027.
View this email in your browser October Wrap Up: Halloween & More! 👻 The Haunted Ice House 👻 Halloween Night – This Friday! Get ready for a spooky night at the Haunted Ice House! 📍 Historic Ice House 201 E…
Final Days: 30% Off Myrna Harrison Originals
– Ends This Friday, October 31 –
Own a piece of Southwest art history before the sale ends.
By celebrating Native American Heritage Month at NAU, “we honor our living presence, our resilience and the strength that continues to guide our peoples forward,” said Sheena Hale, director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures. Browse this November’s events.
Recently, ECoNA and our regional partners took Northern Arizona’s story of opportunity and innovation to two major industry event – SEMICON West and ICSC@Western – reaching decision makers who can help shape our region’s economic future.
This was the first year the SEMICON West was hosted in Phoenix, underscoring Arizona’s growing leadership in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.
FLAGSTAFF — With a crowd easily exceeding the 3,000 protesters on the previous No Kings Day protest in June, northern Arizona residents and visitors loudly shared their emotions about the state of the nation’s Democracy during the “No Kings Day of Action” rally on Oct. 18 in front of Flagstaff City Hall.
Organized locally by Indivisible Northern Arizona and supported by a variety of local groups, opponents of the Trump administration crowded the sidewalks from Wheeler Park and Humphreys Street along Route 66 around the curve to Milton Road, filling the grassy area up to the Flagstaff City Hall sign.
Tickets sold out for popular Celebraciones de la Gente Sugar Skull Decorating workshops Oct. 25, 26.
Also see:
Arizona Daily Sun — Flag’s Día de los Muertos celebrations invite the community to honor traditions
Arizona Daily Sun — Celebraciones de la Gente returning to Museum of Northern Arizona this month
FLAGSTAFF — Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican heritage during the 22nd annual Celebraciones de la Gente (Celebrations of the People) at the Museum of Northern Arizona Oct. 25-26.
Held in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, Celebraciones honors the spirit of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with heartfelt remembrances and joyful festivities.
Festival highlights include colorful ofrendas (altars) set in honor of departed family and friends, traditional dances, live music, and cultural presentations. Visitors can enjoy sugar skull decorating, face painting, Día de los Muertos crafts, calaveritas (short poetry), Mexican loteria (lottery) and authentic food from Arizona vendors. Mariachi Agave of Tucson and Ballet Folklórico de Colores of Flagstaff will fill the festival with vibrant sound and movement.
FLAGSTAFF — On Oct. 18, Flagstaff AZ area residents will come together with millions of Americans across the country in a nationwide day of peaceful protest at the second No Kings Day of Action. There are currently more than 2500 events nationwide. We expect 4,000 people at the Flagstaff protest.
WHEN: October 18, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
WHERE: Flagstaff City Hall, 121 W. Aspen, Flagstaff AZ
PROGRAM:
2:00 PM: Lady Liberty (giant puppet) promenade, drum circle, flag waving
2:15 PM: The Resistance Choir
2:45 PM: (Giant) Flag Unfurling; singing of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful
3:15 PM: Local Stories – How Flagstaff has been affected by the Trump regime
3:35 PM: Music Program – music by Stephen Babcock and Rod Robinson
4:00 PM Event Ends
