(last updated November 19, 2008)

JANUARY

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. Cancelled for January.

FEBRUARY

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. February 6, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

National Invasive Weed Week. February 24-29. Display in park. Check at the visitor centers for more information.

MARCH

Arizona Archeology and Heritage Awareness Month: "Share Our Dirt!" Programs, activities, and cultural demonstrations every Saturday at the park offer visitors new insights into Arizona’s many prehistoric and historic cultures. March 21, 22, 28, and 29 are Junior Ranger Activity Days featuring hands-on learning fun at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for families. Come join the fun!

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. Cancelled for March.

APRIL

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. April 2, 10:00am, Petrified Forest Community Building.

Artist Talk and Tour: Michael Kabotie. April 4, 1:00 p.m., Petrified Forest National Park Community Building. Kabotie will discuss his artwork and then take the group to Painted Desert Inn for a discussion of the murals that his father, Fred Kabotie, painted at Painted
Desert Inn. This lecture has been made possible through the park's partnership with Northland Pioneer College.

National Park Week. April 19-26. Petrified Forest will have special programs all week, including an Earth Day clean-up on April 22, and Junior Ranger Activity Days on April 19 and 26. Check at the visitor centers for more information.

MAY

National Wildflower Week. May 5-11. Exhibit and special programs in the park.

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. May 7, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

Memorial Day. May 28.

SUMMER

Cultural Demonstrator Program. On Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day visit with silversmiths, carvers, weavers, and other demonstrators. Many will have items for sale.

Artist in Residence Program. Visit with artists using the park for inspiration as they paint, draw, photograph, or otherwise express their artistic ability.

Junior Ranger Activity Days. Families are invited to join park staff on several weekends during the summer for hands-on activities that help kids learn more about park resources.

JUNE

National Trails Day. June 7. The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is the only nationwide trails celebration. Come hike a trail.

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. June 11, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building. -CANCELLED

Summer Solstice. June 21. Join rangers at Puerco Pueblo for a petroglyph solar interaction between 8:30am and 9:30am June 14-28.

Artist-in-Residence, David Brock. June 21. Join the artist (print maker/painter) for a demonstration of his painting techniques on Saturday, June 21 at Painted Desert Inn. Attendance is free and open to the public.

Cultural Demonstrator Program. On Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day visit with silversmiths, carvers, weavers, and other demonstrators. Many will have items for sale.

JULY

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. July 2, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

Cultural Demonstrator Program. On Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day visit with silversmiths, carvers, weavers, and other demonstrators. Many will have items for sale.

AUGUST

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. August 6, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

Sunrise Fun Run. TBA. Watch sunrise over the Painted Desert while you get your morning exercise! Join us for a 5K walk/run or a 10K run. Details coming soon!

Founders Day. August 25. Celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service by visiting a national park area near you!

Cultural Demonstrator Program. On Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day visit with silversmiths, carvers, weavers, and other demonstrators. Many will have items for sale.

SEPTEMBER

Labor Day. September 1.

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. September 3, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

Navajo County Fair. Lots of fun for the entire family, including the Little Miss Navajo County Pageant, a rodeo, 4H auction, carnival rides, food, and exhibits. Visit the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for more information about this and other community events.

National Public Lands Day (this site is outside nps.gov). September 27. The nation’s largest single-day, hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands that Americans enjoy. You can visit any federal land area and get in without paying an entrance fee - including Petrified Forest National Park!

OCTOBER

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. October 1, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

Earth Science Week (this site is outside nps.gov). The National Parks are an excellent place to celebrate and explore earth science.

Ghosts of the Past. Visit the ghosts of Petrified Forest for this evening ranger tour. For details, times, and locations check under Ranger Programs, or at visitor centers in the park.

NOVEMBER

National American Indian and Native Alaskan Heritage Month. Exhibit in the park and cultural demonstrations. Check at the park for more details.

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. November 5, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

US Route 66 Anniversary. November 11. As part of the nation's first federal highway system, US Route 66 was commissioned on this date in 1926. 2007 marks its 81st anniversary.

Veterans Day. November 12.Exhibit in the park at the Painted Desert Visitor Center. Check at the park for more details.

DECEMBER

Parade of Lights. December 6. The park joins our gateway community in Holbrook for this annual evening parade, 6:00 p.m. on Hopi Drive and Navajo Boulevard. Visit the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for more information about this and other community events.

Science and Education Center Lecture Series. December 3, 10:00am, Petrified Forest National Park Community Building.

Petrified Forest’s Anniversary. December 8 and December 9. Celebrating the establishment of the park as a national monument 102 years ago on December 8, 1906 and its upgrade to national park status 46 years ago on December 9, 1962. The Holiday Open House occurs on December 8, this year, offering hot drinks, cookies, and holiday cheer at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark from 10 am to 4 pm.