Sedona in February: The Film Festival, Marathon Weekend & Cool-Weather Trails

February is one of the quietest months in Sedona, and one of the best-value. The big spring crowds have not arrived, trails that back up in April are close to empty, and lodging is easier to book. It is also the busiest month on the town’s cultural calendar, thanks to two events that pull visitors from across the country. Here is what the weather actually does, what is happening, and how to plan a February trip.

February weather in Sedona

Sedona sits at about 4,350 feet, so February is cool but rarely harsh. The average daytime high is around 61 F and the average overnight low is about 36 F (NOAA/NWS 1991-2020 normals). Most days are dry and blue-sky, with strong high-desert sun that makes midday hiking comfortable in a light layer.

Mornings and evenings are the cold part of the day, near or a little above freezing, so a warm jacket earns its place in your bag. Snow is possible but usually light and short-lived. A dusting on the red rocks that melts off by late morning is far more common than a storm that sticks. Because nights are cold and afternoons are mild, the middle of the day is your prime outdoor window. Start slow, let the sun get up, then hike.

The events that define February

Two events anchor the month, and either one is a reason to plan a trip.

Sedona International Film Festival

The Sedona International Film Festival is the largest annual event in town. It started in 1995 as a three-day showcase of independent film with about 30 titles, and it has grown into a nine-day event that screens more than 150 films across a handful of small venues. It typically runs late February into early March; the 2027 edition is set for February 20-28. MovieMaker Magazine has named it one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” in back-to-back years.

If you are coming for the festival, buy passes early, because popular screenings sell out. Plan on a shuttle-and-walk rhythm around Uptown and West Sedona rather than driving to every venue, and confirm the current schedule and venues on the festival’s site before you lock in your days. For more detail, see our Sedona Film Festival guide.

RunSedona

RunSedona is a red-rock race weekend held on a Saturday in early February, with a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a 5K walk. The courses run through the red rocks, starting from around 4,450 feet, and the race has grown to thousands of runners, selling out in strong years. Runner’s World has called it a Best Destination Race.

If you are running, February’s cool, dry air is close to ideal. Once the sun is up, race-day temperatures are usually in the 50s and low 60s. There is real elevation change on the half-marathon course, so pace the early miles. Confirm the current date and start times on the RunSedona site before you book travel.

The best things to do in February

With smaller crowds, February is a good month for the hikes that get overwhelmed later in the year. Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge both hike well on a cool, clear morning, and you will share them with far fewer people than in spring. Bell Rock and the flat loops around it are an easy option if you want scenery without a scramble. Watch shaded, north-facing sections and higher trails for lingering ice after any snow, and if you would rather keep it low-key, our easy hikes guide points you to the short, level walks that work well in cool weather.

February also lands on Valentine’s Day, which makes it a strong month for couples. Sedona’s spas and wellness studios stay busy through the holiday, and the better restaurants take reservations well ahead of the 14th, so book if a Valentine’s dinner is part of the plan. Tlaquepaque, the arts-and-shopping village along Oak Creek, is an easy stop between hikes, and the scenic drives work year-round when you want views without the miles. For a wider planning read, our best time to visit guide puts February in context against the rest of the year.

What to pack for a February trip

Pack for a wide daily swing. Mornings near freezing and afternoons around 60 F mean layers: a warm jacket or fleece, a hat and gloves for early starts, and a lighter shirt for the middle of the day. The high-desert sun is strong even in winter, so bring sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. If snow has fallen recently, lightweight traction such as microspikes helps on shaded, icy trail sections. And if you plan to use the indoor court, bring court shoes; the home provides paddles and balls.

Crowds, rates and booking ahead

February is shoulder-to-low season, so on most weekends you will find open trailheads and better lodging availability than in spring or fall. The exceptions are the two event weekends. The film festival and RunSedona both fill rooms, so if your trip overlaps either one, book earlier than you normally would. Presidents Day weekend can also run busier than a plain February weekend. Outside those dates, this is one of the calmer, more affordable times to have the red rocks close to yourself.

Pickleball in February

This is where the home earns its keep in winter. Sedona mornings in February start near freezing, which keeps outdoor courts cold and damp until the day warms up. The court at Sedona Pickler is indoors, heated and lit, so a group can warm up with a few games before a cold-morning hike, or play a full session on a snowy afternoon without losing the day. It is a private, whole-home court for up to eight guests, with no reservation and no shared lanes, and because it is indoors, there are no neighbor noise complaints. See quiet pickleball for more on how the indoor setup works. When you want to compare February with the other end of the year, the beat-the-heat guide covers how the same court keeps play comfortable through the summer.

Planning around a specific week? Compare February with Sedona in January and Sedona in March, or check the full Sedona events calendar to line your trip up with the events you care about. When you are ready, the home books on Airbnb.