Marking 25 Years as World’s First International Dark Sky City.
The Flagstaff milestone comes in the wake of receiving the 2025 Dark Sky Place of the Year award from DarkSky International, recognizing more than six decades of stewardship and innovation. Mayor Becky Daggett said the anniversary reflects a community-wide commitment. “Protecting our dark skies is about quality of life, science, culture and our economy. It’s part of who we are.”
“Flagstaff is proud of our success in protecting dark skies,” said Christian Luginbuhl, president of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition. “We really kicked off what has become a worldwide movement when we adopted the world’s first regulation to protect the night sky in 1958. By 2001, we had been building upon that first step for 43 years, and that drove us to become the first International Dark Sky City. This recognition is helping us spread the message that star-filled skies can actually be restored in most places.”
Today, Flagstaff remains the largest International Dark Sky City by population and continues to prove that economic vitality, public safety and star-filled skies can coexist. “Restoring urban skies” is both a rallying cry and a responsibility, said FDSC Executive Director Danielle Adams, Ph.D. “Flagstaff’s approach to outdoor lighting is a model for cities and growing communities. We are living proof that you can have economic success while also having thousands of stars above your head – and other cities are taking notice.”
International Dark Sky Week
Flagstaff’s Silver Jubilee kicks off with International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20, with Flagstaff’s main event in Heritage Square, “Starlight in the Square,” on Saturday, April 18, in partnership with the Downtown Flagstaff Foundation. “The event will feature stargazing, delicious food and a biergarten with special edition brews from Mother Road Brewing and Dark Sky Brewing,” said Adams. “International Dark Sky Week features stargazing activations and dark-sky education activities all week, with events taking place at local businesses and municipal parks in the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County.”
Full Moon Concert Series
Musicians will serenade the rising of the full moon over Buffalo Park with outdoor concerts. Performances on May 30, June 29 and July 28 are supported by a Beautification In Action grant from the City of Flagstaff. Outdoor concert activities will include cultural astronomy storytelling and telescope viewing.
NightVisions: AMBER
An immersive exhibition at the Coconino Center for the Arts, “NightVisions: AMBER,” will incorporate Flagstaff’s signature narrow-band amber lighting, June 27 through Sept. 26. Artwork will transform as gallery lighting shifts from white to amber, highlighting the technology that has become the gold standard in dark-sky-friendly LEDs.
Celebration of the Night and Flagstaff Star Party
From September through October, fall events will include an expanded citywide program and the annual Flagstaff Star Party, Oct. 1-3, in Buffalo Park, with free stargazing through dozens of telescopes, guest speakers and family activities.
Celebrating 25 Years as the World’s First International Dark Sky City
Flagstaff’s Silver Jubilee culminates on Oct. 24, in a public celebration expected to bring together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from other dark-sky communities to honor the original 2001 designation.
Luginbuhl says this 25th anniversary is both reflective and forward-looking. “We didn’t just inherit dark skies; we built the policies and partnerships that protect them. Now we’re helping other communities do the same.”
From pioneering lighting codes to mentoring cities worldwide, Mayor Daggett says the community is proud of its dark-sky legacy and bright stars. For more information, visit FlagstaffDarkSkies.org. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
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