Sedona Events for May

May is when Sedona exhales.

The spring break crowds have thinned. The heat hasn’t arrived yet. What’s left is a version of Sedona that people who live here quietly love — warm evenings, open trails, and a calendar full of things worth showing up for.

This month, the Verde Valley steps into the spotlight with one of Arizona’s most celebrated wine events, free concerts fill the air above Posse Grounds every Friday night, and the galleries of Tlaquepaque mark Cinco de Mayo in style. Angelo Davis, designated broker at RE/MAX Sedona, put this guide together via Visit Sedona so you know exactly what’s happening in Sedona in May 2026.

The Verde Valley has been quietly producing some of Arizona’s most interesting wine for years. May 9 is the day the whole region pours a glass and celebrates that fact together.

The 8th Annual Verde Valley Wine Festival returns to Cottonwood’s Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 20 Arizona wineries will be pouring, alongside local craft beers from The Belfry Brewery, spirits from Desert Diamond Distillery, artisan vendors, and food trucks including Campfire Grill and Craft Wood Fired Pizza.

Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, tasting pours, and a full afternoon of live music in Riverfront Park (1284 E. River Front Rd., Cottonwood, AZ 86326). For more information please visit the Verde Valley Wine Festival website.

There is something quietly remarkable about hearing world-class piano performed in a desert canyon town. Piano on the Rocks has been doing exactly that since 2016, and this year’s festival carries the theme “The Geometry of Sounds — The Unquiet Harmonies.”

Three afternoon concerts run at 4:00 PM daily, Friday through Sunday, May 1–3, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre (2030 W. State Rte. 89A, Sedona). The festival brings internationally acclaimed musicians from around the world to Sedona each year, exploring the intersection of classical music and literature. For more information please visit the Piano on the Rocks website.

Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village has a way of making celebrations feel like they were designed specifically for the place. The Spanish colonial architecture, the courtyard fountains, the tilework — Cinco de Mayo fits here the way a song fits its key.

The annual Tlaquepaque Cinco de Mayo celebration takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 336 State Route 179, Sedona. Admission is free and open to everyone. For more information please visit the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village website.

The City of Sedona started the Red Dirt Concert Series in 2017 as a platform for local musicians and a reason for neighbors to gather. Nine years in, it has become one of the most beloved recurring events on the West Sedona community calendar.

Free live music runs every Friday evening in May from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Posse Grounds Pavilion (525 Posse Ground Rd., West Sedona), with a headliner and opening act each night. 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the series, with a special extended celebration on May 30. For more information please visit the City of Sedona Parks and Recreation website.

On the first Friday of every month, Sedona’s art galleries open their doors after hours and the whole town becomes a walking cultural circuit. Tlaquepaque, Hozho, Uptown Sedona, Hillside, and West Sedona all participate — free admission, drinks, artist receptions, and live music throughout the evening.

The May edition runs on Friday, May 1 from approximately 5 to 8 p.m. across participating gallery locations. A free trolley connects the gallery districts so you can move between them at your own pace. For more information please visit the Visit Sedona gallery guide.

May in Sedona doesn’t announce itself — it arrives quietly, with longer evenings and a calendar that feels like the community built it for itself. That’s the thing about this place: the events aren’t just entertainment. They’re a window into what it actually feels like to live here.

What do you think?