Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Night Sky Tourist, in partnership with the Town of Fountain Hills, announced its 2026 schedule of Dark Sky events designed to connect visitors with the desert landscape and the night sky.
According to a press release, the series will be led by Night Sky Tourist founder Vicky Derksen and will feature programs that explore the desert’s transition from day to night in one of the world’s few International Dark Sky Communities.
“These events invite us to slow down, tune into nature’s rhythms, and rediscover the wonder of the night sky,” said Ms. Derksen. “Whether you’re walking under a full moon or writing at twilight, each experience is designed to deepen your connection to the desert and the cosmos.
The events include:
Jan. 3 – Full Wolf Moon Walk | 5:30 p.m.
A meditative twilight walk through the Sonoran Desert culminating in the rise of the Full Wolf Moon.
Feb. 3 – Fire & Stars: February Cross-Quarter Day Gathering | 6 p.m.
Celebrate the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox with a fire-cooked dinner, star stories, and telescope viewing.
March 3 – Full Worm Moon Walk | 6:30 p.m.
Engage your senses on a quiet desert walk under the rising Full Worm Moon.
March 20 – Spring Equinox Sunrise Hike | 6 a.m.
Welcome the equinox with a sunrise hike observing the desert’s awakening. Free event; registration required.
April 1 – Desert Twilight Writing Workshop | 6 p.m.
A creative writing experience inspired by the desert’s transition from day to night, followed by stargazing and constellation stories.
May 1 – Full Flower Moon Walk | 7 p.m.
Witness the blooming desert under the Full Flower Moon during a sensory-rich twilight walk.
May 31 – Full Blue Moon Walk | 7:30 p.m.
A rare opportunity to experience the magic of a Blue Moon rising over the desert landscape.
June 20 – Summer Solstice Sunrise Hike | 6 a.m.
Celebrate the longest day of the year with a morning hike through the Sonoran Desert. Free event; registration required.
Tickets for paid events and registration for free hikes are available at nightskytourist.com. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.
