Events in Prescott, Arizona
Prescott runs on a calendar of seasonal traditions: the World's Oldest Rodeo, Christmas City lighting, the Bluegrass Festival, Highland Games, Whiskey Row Marathon, Veterans Day Parade, and dozens of weekend happenings across the year.
Annual events and traditions
Prescott year at a glance
A 12-month view of the recurring Prescott calendar. Dates shift slightly from year to year, but these are the city's biggest weekends.
| January | Quiet month, weekend live music on Whiskey Row. |
|---|---|
| February | Quiet month, weekend live music on Whiskey Row. |
| March | Quiet month, weekend live music on Whiskey Row. |
| April |
|
| May |
|
| June |
|
| July |
|
| August |
|
| September |
|
| October |
|
| November |
|
| December |
We update the calendar against the City of Prescott Special Events page each year.
Annual events in Prescott Arizona
Prescott AZ events run on a tight calendar of traditions that locals and visitors plan around. Prescott Frontier Days, the World’s Oldest Rodeo, has run since 1888 and is the headline summer event - multiple performances stretch across late June and the 4th of July at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. 4th of July in Prescott overlaps with Frontier Days, with the parade on Cortez and Gurley Streets, the rodeo at the grounds, fireworks at Pioneer Park, and live music on Whiskey Row. The Prescott Bluegrass Festival on the Courthouse Plaza, the Whiskey Row Marathon (run since 1978), the Highland Games at Watson Lake, and the Whiskey Off-Road mountain bike race fill the rest of the warm-season Prescott events calendar.
Christmas City USA
Prescott was named Christmas City USA, and the city earns the title every December. The Prescott Christmas events calendar includes the Courthouse Plaza tree lighting (first Saturday in December), the Christmas Light Parade through downtown, the holiday windows on Whiskey Row, the Acker Music Festival, the Whiskey Row Boot Drop on New Year’s Eve, and the strings of lights on the Plaza that stay up through January. Prescott AZ Christmas - sometimes searched as Christmas City Prescott or Prescott Christmas City - is one of the busiest weekend traffic stretches of the year.
Halloween, Veterans Day, and the spring calendar
Halloween in Prescott AZ centers on Whiskey Row costume crawls, the Hassayampa Inn Hauntings, and family Halloween at the Heritage Park Zoo “Boo at the Zoo.” Spirit Halloween opens its annual Prescott Valley pop-up. The Veterans Day Parade runs Cortez Street downtown the second Saturday of November. Spring and fall traditions include the Cinco de Mayo party on the Plaza, Mother’s Day brunch on the Hassayampa terrace, and the Phippen Museum Memorial Day art show on the Courthouse Plaza. The Courthouse Plaza events guide tracks the rolling weekend calendar.
Year-round: Prescott Farmers Market and weekend live music
The Prescott Farmers Market at Yavapai College on Sheldon Street runs Saturdays for most of the year, with a separate Prescott Valley farmers market on its own schedule. Live music in Prescott AZ spills onto Whiskey Row most Friday and Saturday nights - the Palace, Matt’s Saloon, the Bird Cage, and the Hassayampa lounge all rotate live acts. The Elks Theatre Prescott books touring concerts and film festivals through the year, and the Prescott Valley Event Center at Findlay Toyota Center runs larger arena shows.
Prescott events this weekend
For Prescott events this weekend, our things to do this weekend guide tracks the rolling calendar against the City of Prescott Special Events page. The seasonal anchors above tell you which weekends to plan around or avoid: Frontier Days week (late June through July 4), Christmas tree-lighting weekend (first weekend of December), the Whiskey Off-Road weekend (early May), and the Highland Games weekend at Watson Lake (third weekend in May). Hotels in Prescott AZ fill on those dates first.
Frequently asked
What is the World's Oldest Rodeo?+
Prescott Frontier Days has run since 1888 and is recognized as the World's Oldest Rodeo. The rodeo runs late June through July 4 at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, with parades and street events overlapping the 4th of July weekend.
Why is Prescott called Christmas City USA?+
Prescott Arizona was named Christmas City USA for the courthouse-plaza tree lighting, the Christmas Light Parade, the lit Whiskey Row, and the calendar of December events centered on the Yavapai County Courthouse.
When is the Prescott Christmas Parade?+
The Prescott Christmas Parade (the Christmas Light Parade) runs the first Saturday evening of December through downtown, kicking off the tree-lighting weekend on the Courthouse Plaza.
What events are in Prescott this weekend?+
Check our things-to-do-this-weekend guide for the rolling list. Whiskey Row live music, Saturday Prescott Farmers Market at Yavapai College, and seasonal anchors (rodeo in summer, Christmas in December, Bluegrass and Highland Games in spring) cover most weekends.
Is the Prescott Bluegrass Festival free?+
Yes. The Prescott Bluegrass Festival on the Courthouse Plaza is a free annual outdoor music event, typically the last weekend of June. Bring a chair.
Where are events held in Prescott Valley?+
The Prescott Valley Event Center inside Findlay Toyota Center hosts arena concerts, sports, and large gatherings. Smaller events run along Glassford Hill and at the Prescott Valley Civic Center.
What is the Whiskey Row Marathon?+
The Whiskey Row Marathon, held annually in early May since 1978, starts and finishes on Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott. The course climbs into the Prescott National Forest before returning to the Plaza.
What activities are planned for Prescott's Fourth of July parade and celebrations?+
The 4th of July weekend in Prescott AZ overlaps with Prescott Frontier Days. The Independence Day Parade runs Cortez Street and Gurley Street downtown the morning of July 4. Multiple rodeo performances at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds run that evening and the surrounding days. Fireworks launch from Pioneer Park after dark, with live music on Whiskey Row most nights of the weekend.
What are the main Christmas events and activities in Prescott AZ?+
The Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza tree lighting (first Saturday of December) is the headline. The Prescott AZ Christmas Light Parade runs that same evening through downtown. The Acker Music Festival fills downtown the second Friday in December. Whiskey Row stays lit through the month, the Hassayampa Inn runs holiday teas, and Heritage Park Zoo holds its Boo at the Zoo / WildLights events. Christmas City USA earns the title every year.
Where can I see the best Christmas lights in Prescott?+
The Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza is the centerpiece - strings of lights covering the courthouse and trees through January. Whiskey Row keeps strings lit. The historic homes along Mt Vernon Avenue, the Hassayampa Inn lobby, and several Granite Dells residential streets run elaborate displays. Heritage Park Zoo's WildLights walk-through runs select December nights.
Are there special holiday events in Prescott Valley during Christmas?+
Yes - Prescott Valley runs its own Christmas Parade, and Findlay Toyota Center / the Prescott Valley Event Center books holiday concerts and family shows through December. Lights at the Lake displays around Fain Park and the Prescott Valley Civic Center campus are the visible local sets.
Are there Halloween events or tours in Prescott this year?+
Halloween in Prescott AZ centers on Whiskey Row costume crawls (Friday and Saturday nights of Halloween weekend), the Hassayampa Inn ghost-tour weekend (the hotel is famously haunted), and family Halloween at Heritage Park Zoo's Boo at the Zoo. Spirit Halloween runs an annual Prescott Valley pop-up.
Can you recommend haunted attractions in Prescott for Halloween?+
The Hassayampa Inn at 122 E Gurley Street is the headline haunted hotel - many local ghost tours stop there. The Palace Saloon, Hotel Vendome, and several Whiskey Row buildings show up on history-based ghost walks. The Prescott Pioneers' Home cemetery and the Yavapai County Courthouse run on local Halloween folklore.
What are the best fireworks displays in Prescott for the 4th of July?+
The official Prescott Frontier Days fireworks launch from Pioneer Park after dark on July 4. Watson Lake Park has overflow viewing of the show. Prescott Valley runs its own fireworks display on a different timing - check the Town of Prescott Valley calendar for current year details.
When are the tickets for the Prescott Rodeo available?+
Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo tickets typically go on sale in early spring (March or April) for the late-June through July-4 performances. Buy direct through the Prescott Frontier Days website. Finals performances sell out first.
How do I find Prescott events this weekend?+
Our Prescott events this weekend guide tracks the rolling calendar against the City of Prescott Special Events page. Whiskey Row live music runs most Friday and Saturday nights. The Saturday Prescott Farmers Market at Yavapai College runs most of the year. Seasonal anchors (rodeo, Christmas, Bluegrass, Highland Games) are scheduled by month.
When is Prescott Valley Days?+
Prescott Valley Days is the annual town festival each May with parades, vendors, music, and family activities centered on the Prescott Valley Civic Center campus. Check the Town of Prescott Valley calendar for the specific year's date.