⚠️ Pocket Fire Update. Please Read Before You Plan Your Trip
The Pocket Fire is now 18,173 acres and remains at 20% containment as of July 2, 2026. Fire activity continues near West Fork and Seven Canyons, with 1,036 firefighters on the ground. Oak Creek Canyon, Forest Highlands, Kachina Village, and Pine Dell are all in SET (Shelter-in-Place/Evacuation) status. residents only with ID. Portions of State Route 89A and Woody Mountain Road (FR 231) remain closed. Check az511.com for current road closures before you drive. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Coconino National Forest. no campfires, charcoal, or open flames outside of developed campgrounds with metal fire grates.
Sedona itself is open. Restaurants, galleries, shops, and resorts are operating normally. Many trails remain accessible. avoid Oak Creek Canyon and any areas posted by the Forest Service. Follow visitsedona.com/pocket-fire for daily updates.
Now, the good news: there is plenty happening in Sedona and the Verde Valley this week. July 4th weekend kicks things off with art openings, live music, fireworks, and summer energy. Here is your full guide to July 3 through 9, 2026.
4:00 to 6:00 PM | Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road (Upper Parking Lot) | Free
Kick off the holiday weekend with this outdoor community celebration at the Sedona Arts Center. The Freedom Exhibition opens tonight with live music, food trucks, local wineries, and artist demonstrations including live ceramics. A great introduction to Sedona’s creative community and completely free to attend.
4:00 to 7:00 PM (varies by gallery) | Multiple Locations | Free
July 3 falls on a Friday, which means 1st Friday in the Galleries is tonight. Galleries across Tlaquepaque, Uptown, and West Sedona open their doors for artist receptions and special exhibitions. Highlights this month:
6:30 to 8:00 PM | Outbound Sedona, 1752 SR-179
End the evening under the red rocks at this community drum circle hosted at Outbound Sedona. Check in at the front desk when you arrive. Reservations recommended.
Evening | Sky Rock Inn of Sedona
Weekend nights at Sky Rock Inn feature elevated live music with sweeping red rock views. Rooftop energy with cocktails and local talent. A great cap to the night.
Noon to 4:00 PM | Sedona Community Pool, 570 Posse Ground Road | Free
Sedona’s Fourth of July celebration centers on the community pool with water slides, splash zones, a DJ, food trucks, and family-friendly fun all afternoon. Free, local, and the coolest way to spend the hottest day of the summer. Bring sunscreen, towels, and the kids.
7:00 PM | Cottonwood Kids Park, 350 S 12th St, Cottonwood | Free
Fireworks inside Sedona are not happening this year due to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. But Cottonwood is putting on a show just 20 minutes down the road at Cottonwood Kids Park. Pack a blanket and a cooler and arrive early for a good spot.
8:00 AM to Noon | Wells Fargo Parking Lot, 2201 W SR-89A | Free
Every Sunday morning the parking lot at Wells Fargo becomes a local market with fresh produce, honey, handmade goods, baked items, and small-batch food vendors. Come early for the best selection.
5:30 to 7:30 PM | Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village | Free
One of Sedona’s most beloved Sunday traditions: live flamenco in the stunning Patio de Las Campanas courtyard at Tlaquepaque. Running every Sunday through October, this free performance is pure magic as the sun drops behind the red rocks. No tickets needed.
Midweek is the best-kept secret in Sedona. Fewer crowds, shorter wait times on popular trails, and all the magic of the red rocks without the weekend rush. A few options worth knowing:
Open Daily from 3:00 PM | Happy Hour 4:00 to 6:00 PM | 2575 W SR-89A
Vino Di Sedona hosts live music every night of the week. Local artists, great wine selection, and a relaxed neighborhood wine bar atmosphere. Happy hour runs 4 to 6 PM daily. A solid midweek evening option whether you are local or visiting.
A uniquely Sedona experience available throughout the week: aerial yoga suspension combined with crystal singing bowl sound healing. Restorative and genuinely different from anything you will find elsewhere. Reserve your spot here.
While Oak Creek Canyon remains closed due to the Pocket Fire, Sedona’s iconic red rock trails are still open. Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge, and Airport Mesa are all accessible. Check the Coconino National Forest website for the latest trail status before you go. Aim for early morning. 6 to 9 AM. before temperatures climb into the 90s.
Sedona sits at the heart of the Verde Valley and these towns are just 20 to 30 minutes away. Worth the short drive.
July 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM | Clarkdale Town Park Gazebo, 1001 Main St, Clarkdale | Free
Clarkdale goes all-out for the Fourth. This year, Concerts in the Park features The Rhythm Edition Band. six lead singers, a full horn section, and a set that runs from Chuck Berry and Fats Domino to Neil Diamond and Journey, mixed with patriotic favorites celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. It is free, it is outside, and it is exactly what a small-town Fourth of July should be. Bring your own chairs, food, and drinks (no alcohol in the park).
July 4, 4:00 to 9:30 PM | Cottonwood Kids Park, 350 S 12th St, Cottonwood | Parking $1
Cottonwood’s Fantastic Family Fourth is one of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in Northern Arizona. Free hot dogs, watermelon, games, vendors, patriotic programming. and fireworks that local families drive from all over the Verde Valley to see. The 2026 show is expected to be the biggest yet, celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Parking is $1 per vehicle. Arrive early.
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