Fall in Prescott, AZ: Events, Fall Color & Things to Do in September 2026
If you've ever thought about visiting Prescott in the fall, September is where it starts. The heat of summer backs off, the air gets a little crisper in the evenings, and the town fills back up with energy. September in Prescott is packed — community events almost every weekend, the first hints of color change in the trees, and that particular feeling that comes when a mountain town remembers it's a mountain town again.
Here's everything worth knowing about this month.
The Events
Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show
September 5–6One of Prescott's most beloved annual traditions. Over 100 vendors take over the historic Courthouse Plaza for two full days — handcrafted jewelry, pottery, paintings, textiles, silverwork, specialty food, and more. Live folk and country music plays on the gazebo stage, under the big American elms that shade the Plaza.
This is the kind of event that gives relocators a real taste of what Prescott's community fabric looks like — it's not a tourist production, it's a town doing what it does.
🎟 Free admission 🕘 Sat 9am–5pm · Sun 9am–4pm 100+ vendorsYavapai County Fair
September 10–13The Yavapai County Fair has been running since 1913 — this year marks the 113th edition, with the theme "Honoring Tradition and Celebrating the Future." Four days of rodeo action, carnival rides, livestock shows, live music, agriculture exhibits, and fair food. The Youth Livestock Auction is Saturday, September 12 at 5 p.m.
If you want to understand what Yavapai County actually is — the agriculture, the Western heritage, the multigenerational community — the County Fair is the place to see it all in one spot.
🎟 $6–$10 admission 🕔 Thu 5pm · Fri 1pm · Sat–Sun noon yavapaifair.comSunflower Festival at Mortimer Farms
Sep 12–13 & Sep 19–20Walk the sunflower fields, bring the kids, take the photos. It's one of those events that earns its reputation every year. Mortimer Farms is also where the big Pumpkin Fest and corn maze kicks off later in September — once fall fully arrives, this place becomes a weekly tradition for a lot of Prescott-area families.
🌻 Two weekends 👨👩👧 Family friendly mortimerfarmsaz.comPrescott Powwow
September 18–20One of the most unique events in the area — a weekend of traditional Native music, dancing, and food in one of Prescott's most dramatic outdoor settings. The purpose of the Powwow is to bring Native elders and youth together to share traditions — it's a meaningful community gathering and a genuinely memorable experience.
🎟 $8 admission 🅿 Free parking at Watson LakePrescott Highland Games & Celtic Faire
September 27–28An annual weekend of Scottish and Celtic celebration — heavy athletics competitions, Highland dancing, pipe bands, live entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, a Children's Glen, and whisky. The backdrop of the Granite Dells and the blue water of Watson Lake makes for one of the most dramatic festival settings anywhere in the Southwest.
🎟 $15 adults · Under 5 free 🕘 Sat 9am–5pm · Sun 9am–4pmThe Fall Color
September is when Prescott starts to shift. It's not peak color — that typically comes in October — but late September is when the early movers begin to turn, and getting out to the right spots now means you beat the crowds.
🌲 Goldwater Lake
Trails wind through groves of aspen, cottonwood, maple, ash, and ponderosa pine. By late September the aspens and cottonwoods are starting to move — worth the drive even before peak.
🍂 Lynx Lake
Some of the most reliable color in the area. Cottonwoods, willows, and evergreens create a layered effect — some trees turning while others stay green. About a mile around the lake.
🌊 Willow Lake
Walk the west side near Willow Creek Road. Massive cottonwood groves run along the lakeshore and start shifting to yellow and orange by late September.
🏛 South Mount Vernon Ave
A half-mile walk from Courthouse Square, lined with enormous old elms over Victorian-era homes. By late September the canopy starts to hint at what's coming in October.
Why September Is Worth Paying Attention To
If you're thinking about relocating to the Prescott area, September is one of the best months to visit. The summer crowds have thinned. The weather is genuinely comfortable — warm during the day, cool in the evenings. And the events calendar gives you a real window into what this community looks like when it's just being itself.
The County Fair, the Arts & Crafts Show, the Highland Games — none of these are put on for visitors. They're traditions this community keeps for itself. Attending them tells you more about what living here actually feels like than any number of listing tours.
If you're planning a trip to Prescott this fall and want guidance on what to see and which neighborhoods to explore while you're here, reach out. Helping people figure out if Prescott is the right fit is one of my favorite parts of this work.
Planning a Fall Trip to Prescott?
We can help you make the most of your visit — neighborhoods to drive, questions to think through, and a real picture of what living here looks like before you commit to anything.
Reach Out to the Middleton TeamIf you're considering downsizing in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, or the surrounding Quad Cities area, Connect with The Middleton Team. We've walked hundreds of local families through this exact transition — from the first overwhelming look at the garage to the keys being handed over.
We'll help you understand your home's current value, talk through timing, connect you with trusted local resources, and build a plan that fits your pace, not someone else's.
Reach out anytime. There's no pressure, and there's no wrong time to start the conversation.
Mike & Darby - Prescott Area Locals & Real Estate Agents at the Middleton Team