The best time to visit Sedona is from the beginning of March to the end of May. Spring is the most comfortable season of the year, thanks to moderate-but-warm temperatures, but expect to pay tourist season premiums.
Sedona is a warm destination all year-round, so it may seem like booking during any month or season is a no-brainer. But with shifting precipitation patterns, humidity, peak season rates, and special events, some months will be a better choice for your holiday than others—especially when considering your personal preferences.
Need a hand in choosing dates for your upcoming Arizona vacation? Find out when to go to this desert town with this complete Sedona weather guide, including a breakdown by season and month and an outline of all the top festivals and events.
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out our other weather & when to go guides and our Arizona Travel Guide for more tips & recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do on your vacation!
Weather in Sedona, AZ
By season
Spring
The spring months from March to May are generally considered the best time to travel to Sedona, thanks to temperatures that stay between the high-60s and mid-80s, plus moderate rainfall predictions.
Spring might be one of the most ideal times of the year to visit, weather-wise, but it’ll also be the most expensive, as it’s Sedona’s peak tourism season. You’ll experience higher rates at Sedona’s most popular hotels and bigger crowds at the top Sedona attractions. If that isn’t a roadblock for you, you won’t regret visiting during this ideal season!
Summer
The summer months of June, July, and August are particularly hot in Arizona, with temperatures oftentimes exceeding a hundred degrees. These months also comprise Sedona’s monsoon season.
Between the way-too-hot temperatures, extreme humidity, and propensity for thunderstorms without warning, summer isn’t exactly the ideal time to visit.
It may sound nice to bask in the desert heat, but keep in mind that when the sun is at its peak, advisories usually suggest you head inside to avoid heat stroke.
If you do brave summer in Sedona, be sure to have a good plan for staying cool in the afternoons.
Fall
The fall months from September to November bring in a period of slight cooling-off, though it’s still decidedly hot. Ranging from the mid-70s to the high 90s, you can essentially choose the ideal temperatures for you without the worry about extreme humidity or heat-stroke advisories.
If you want the ideal weather conditions of spring but don’t want the hefty price tag that comes along with it, choose to travel to Sedona fall. You’ll pay shoulder-season prices, which are a little more moderate, and you won’t be as overwhelmingly hot as during the summer holiday months.
Winter
Winter in Sedona is comfortable, with little precipitation and temperatures straddling the sixty-degree mark. Especially if you’re coming from a place where winter is snowy, freezing cold, and generally spend indoors, you’ll still find winter in Sedona quite peachy.
You may want to pack some warmer clothes, especially for overnight when the desert gets cold, but you can still expect to participate in outdoor activities during the day without any trouble.
By Month
January
January is tied with December for the coldest month of the year, but thankfully you’ll rarely have to worry about snow in Sedona.
You might see a little bit of frost cover the ground in the mornings when the overnight low reaches 34°F (1°C). But during the day, it will climb back up to a high of 59°F (15°C), which should be comfortable with long pants and a light jacket at most.
It may not often snow in January, but you will likely find a bit of rain in the forecast, with 53mm expected to fall over the span of four rainy days.
Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Be sure to check out Sedona’s VegFest. This late January event is the best place to get new inspiration for your plant-based diet.
From taste-testing new meat alternatives about to hit the market and sampling some veggie food trucks to viewing live cooking demos led by top chefs from around the world, you’ll leave feeling totally invigorated. Even meat-eating foodies will love attending and learning how they can make veg the star of their next dish!
February
February typically heats up by a few degrees with average highs of 64°F (18°C) and lows of 36°F (2°C). The amount of average precipitations remains almost static, though, with 55 mm generally falling on just four different days.
February is a month of events tailored to art lovers, so if that’s you, buckle up! Mingle with the bigwigs of the art world at First Friday in the galleries (February 3rd) as you spend a free evening browsing Sedona’s best art galleries and attending artist-led receptions.
Then, at the end of the month, you’ll want to take part in the Sedona International Film Festival, spanning nine days and screening over 90 films from all genres. You can either catch a single flick to embellish your Sedona itinerary or plan your entire vacation around this star-studded event.
March
Daytime temperatures in March are decidedly warm, though not hot, right around the 68°F (20°C) mark. It’ll still get fairly chilly at night, though, dipping down to 39°F (4°C), so be sure to bring some cozier gear to wear after dark.
March is the wettest month of the year, but truthfully this uptick in precipitation is barely perceptible, with 63mm falling over five days, which is not much change from the few months prior.
If you’re in Sedona over St. Patrick’s Day (March 18th), be sure to attend Sedona’s parade and festival. Just imagine the kilted pipe bands marching against a backdrop of red, red rocks—you won’t see that every day!
Oh, and if you’re looking for good eats, don’t forget to hit up the annual Food Truck Festival, held at the end of March each year. Admission to this tasty event (including musical performances and activities) is free; you’ll just need to cover the cost of as much food as it takes to satisfy your cravings.
April
April’s average temperatures continue on their upward trajectory, reaching highs of 77°F (25°C) and maintaining lows of 45°F (7°C). Come April, there is a huge decrease in rainfall from March, with only 29mm expected over two days. For planning your trip, you likely won’t need to worry about keeping too many “rainy day activities” on standby.
If you’re traveling with kids, attending the Celebration of Spring on April 8th is a must. Some of the festival is Easter-themed with a giant egg hunt, but it’s so much more than that. You’ll also enjoy a vast setup of carnival rides, bouncy castles, face painting, and live entertainment.
Want to embrace your spiritual side? The Sedona Yoga Festival runs for an entire week each April, with dozens of demos and classes on yoga and meditation. From practiced instructors to total newbies, this festival welcomes everyone to come work on their mindfulness journey amongst the trees of the forests and the rocks of the Arizona desert.
May
May is when things really start to heat up in Sedona. Highs jump up to 86°F (30°C), and evening lows now sit at a comfortable 54°F (12°C); be sure to bring some shorts and sunscreen.
Precipitation averages also continue declining in May, with as little as 18mm falling over two days or less. For getting the best of both worlds between temperatures and weather conditions without totally overheating, May is a pretty good time to visit.
Sedona is an area that’s rich in Latinx cultural heritage. If your vacation falls around Cinco de Mayo, be sure to stop by Tlaquepaque because they celebrate in a big and colorful way. Immerse yourself in this beautiful holiday by attending a fiesta of mariachi bands, dancing, and traditional Mexican food.
June
Though June is the driest month of the year (with just 9mm falling on average), it does mark the start of Sedona’s monsoon season, meaning that the rainfall will come in quick, flash thunderstorms. This is largely due to the overwhelming heat and humidity over the summer. June temperatures can be expected to reach highs of 97°F (36°C) and seldom drop below 61°F (16°C).
While there are no big-scale annually-occurring events this month, there are a few things that tourists commonly endeavor to do in June. Among the most popular? June 21st is the summer solstice. Some popular ways to celebrate in Sedona include scoring tickets to one of the pop-up festivals and events that change year-over-year or simply starting your day with sun salutations facing the red rocks and ending it with some mindful stargazing.
July
July is the hottest month of the year in Sedona, with average highs jumping all the way up to a sweltering 101°F (38°C). The good news is that the desert does tend to cool off a fair amount after the sun sinks.
Daily lows will hover around 68°F (20°C), which is still warm, but a significant drop from the height of the afternoon. Monsoon season also powers on, with approximately 42mm expected to fall over five days in short, heavy bursts.
Will you be in town on the 4th of July? You’ve likely never celebrated America’s birthday quite like this before! Every year, Sedona hosts the 4th of July Wetfest, where giant water slides, pools, and other splashy activities are brought to life in the heart of the city. Be sure to bring a bathing suit if you want to stay cool, and watch the firework show from the water.
Does the desert landscape of Sedona remind you of old-school cowboys? Celebrate the town’s wild west legacy with National Day of the Cowboy on July 22. During this event, you’ll watch a screening of a classic western movie that was filmed right here in Sedona, plus take home some exciting party favors and prizes.
August
Temperatures in August are still extremely hot and don’t offer much relief from the highs of July. Averages of 97°F (36°C) by lunchtime and 66°F (19°C) after sunset are pretty much par for the course. August is considered the height of the monsoon season in Sedona, with as many as six rainy days and 48mm.
Since August in Sedona is characteristically way too hot, you’re going to want to build in some activities that’ll help keep you cool. Hanging creekside is a great way to do this, spending your afternoons (when the sun is at its peak) swimming, fishing, or relaxing with a good book. The swimming hole at Slide Rock State Park might be a good place to start your search.
After the day builds to its hottest point and then the sun sinks over the horizon, don’t miss out on a Sedona Star Party. This designated Dark Sky zone hosts free events all through the month of August, where telescopes are made available for public stargazers, and local astronomers will take you on a tour of the constellations. As far as exploring the night sky goes, it doesn’t get better than this!
September
Finally free from the clutches of monsoon season, September is an all-around great month to visit Sedona. The high and low temperatures are hot without being overwhelming, coming in at 92°F (33°C) and 61°F (16°C), respectively.
If you have your sights set on wine tasting, plan your visit around the weekend of September 23rd and 24th, when Sedona Winefest takes place. Here, you can taste your way through the region’s best vineyards (plus some excellent pop-up restaurants) without sacrificing premier views. Everyone will gather in Posse Grounds Park, where the red rock mountains paint the sky.
October
October highs still reach 81°F (27°C). Rainfall is fairly average when compared to other monthly precipitation rates for Sedona, making it a very enjoyable time to visit.
Where you’ll see the most significant change is in the average daily lows, which will now dip down to about 52°F (11°C). As long as you bring some warmer pajamas, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Just remember that this will feel cooler in contrast to hot, sunny afternoons.
Perhaps the most popular event of October in Sedona is the 5-day celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, from October 28 to November 1st. This deep dive into Mexican heritage includes plenty of musical performances, art installations, and interactive experiences, such as decorating sugar skulls.
Of course, if Halloween is your favorite holiday of the year, you won’t want to miss getting your spook on at Haunted History. This October 30 event involves a live performance by poet & author Michael Peach, where his ghostly and murderous cowboy tales will be brought to life before your eyes.
November
Average November days will see highs of 68°F (20°C) and lows of 41°F (5°C), which is still fairly warm for late fall. Rainfall finally starts to taper off again, slipping back down to 35mm, falling over an average of two days. You may want to plan a single day of indoor fun in case you need it, but otherwise, a decent sweater in reserve is all you’ll need to continue soaking up the Arizona sun.
Looking for a fun festival to give your Happy Hour a little twist? Head over to Grub, Brews, and Tunes. This one-day festival is held on November 4th at Posse Grounds Park and offers visitors a centralized selection of Sedona’s best food, wine, and beer. The best local performers will be playing in the background to create the ultimate ambiance as the sun glows over the skyline.
December
December seems to cool off fairly dramatically in Sedona, reaching its coldest temperatures throughout the year, which will maintain for the bulk of the winter season. Highs will not typically exceed 59°F (15°C), and lows will remain just barely above the freezing mark at 34°F (1°C).
Rainfall remains relatively consistent with the previous month and doesn’t pose any big challenges for crafting an itinerary of outdoor activities or tackling some of the most popular Sedona day trips.
If you celebrate Christmas, you’ll want to take part in some of Sedona’s holiday festivities which go on all month long. A fan favorite is Christmas is the Park, on December 9th. Here, you’ll find some quirky local traditions like tumbleweed snowmen and craft stations to make your very own cornhusk doll, plus all the normal Christmas goodies like hot cider, cookies, and holiday jingles.
