Welcome to Sedona Quest for Ancient Civilizations

Everything You Need to Know Before You Arrive

May 1–3, 2026 · Sedona Performing Arts Center · Sedona, Arizona

You made it. You're coming to Sedona.

Whether this is your first Quest event or you've been part of this community for years, we want your experience to be as seamless, comfortable, and extraordinary as possible — from the moment you land to the moment you reluctantly head home.

Here is everything you need to know before you arrive.

WHEN TO ARRIVE

We recommend arriving Thursday, April 30th if you can swing it. Sedona is a destination in itself, and giving yourself an extra day before the conference begins means you arrive relaxed rather than rushed. You'll have time to explore the red rocks, visit a vortex site, settle into your accommodations, and get your bearings before the weekend begins.

If Thursday isn't possible, Friday morning arrival works well for most attendees. Doors open at 5:30pm on Friday, May 1st — so you have the full day to arrive, get settled, and prepare for the evening.

The Speaker Dinner & Community Gathering takes place Thursday evening, April 30th from 7–10pm — a wonderful way to ease into the weekend if you're arriving Thursday.

Saturday and Sunday attendees — plan to arrive the night before your single-day ticket whenever possible. Sedona's roads can be busy on weekend mornings and parking fills earlier than you'd expect.

GETTING HERE

BY PLANE The nearest major airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) — approximately 2 to 2.5 hours from Sedona by ground. Two reliable shuttle services connect PHX directly to Sedona:

 Groome Transportation — groometransportation.com  /   ACE Shuttle — aceshuttle.com

Both run regular service and we strongly recommend booking your shuttle in advance — seats fill quickly during event weekends in Sedona. Book as early as possible.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is closer at about 45 minutes but has limited commercial service. Worth checking if you're flying from certain cities.

BY CAR Sedona sits at the end of Oak Creek Canyon on Highway 89A — one of the most scenic drives in the American Southwest. If you're driving from Phoenix, take I-17 north to Highway 260 west to Highway 89A north into Sedona. The drive is approximately 2 hours and absolutely worth taking slowly. From Flagstaff, it's a breathtaking 30-minute descent through Oak Creek Canyon.

GPS works well in Sedona but cell service can be spotty in some canyon areas — download your route offline before you leave.

PARKING The Sedona Performing Arts Center has on-site parking. Sedona is a busy destination and event weekends fill quickly — plan to arrive 30–45 minutes before sessions begin to secure a good spot. Carpooling with fellow attendees is always a great option and a natural way to make new friends before you've even walked through the doors.

WHERE TO STAY

Sedona has accommodations at every price point — from world-class resorts to cozy vacation rentals tucked into the red rocks. A few things to know:

Sedona accommodations book out quickly for event weekends, especially in May. If you haven't booked yet, do it today. The longer you wait the fewer options you'll have and the higher the prices will go.

General areas to consider:

• West Sedona — closest to the Sedona Performing Arts Center, most practical for the event. Quieter, more local feel, easy access.
• Uptown Sedona — more hotels and restaurants within walking distance, more tourist activity.
• Village of Oak Creek — about 6 miles south of Uptown, beautiful red rock views, often better value.
• Cottonwood / Verde Valley — 20 minutes south, significantly more affordable, great if you don't mind a short drive.

For Quest attendees looking to connect with fellow attendees, search Facebook groups and the Quest community for shared accommodation opportunities — many attendees coordinate house shares to split costs and deepen the community experience.

WHAT TO WEAR

Sedona in May is glorious — warm sunny days and cool evenings. Pack layers.

Daytime temperatures inside the Performing Arts Center will be comfortable, but Sedona afternoons can reach the mid-80s°F. Evenings drop significantly, especially if you're outside for the after-party.

Recommended packing:

• Light, breathable layers for daytime
• A light jacket or sweater for evenings — the after-party is partly outdoor and May nights in Sedona can be crisp
• Comfortable shoes — you'll be on your feet exploring, and if you're adding any vortex walks or site visits, you'll want supportive footwear
• Sunscreen and a hat — the Arizona sun at elevation is stronger than it looks
• Sunglasses — non-negotiable in the desert

What to wear to the event itself: This community has no dress code and no judgment. Come as you are — from hiking clothes to crystals and ceremony wear to business casual. The only wrong outfit is one you're not comfortable in.

WHAT TO BRING

For the Conference:

• Your ticket confirmation (digital on your phone is fine)
• Your Quest badge — keep it on you all weekend. Your badge is your access pass and your 10% locals discount card at participating Sedona businesses including Layla's Bakery
• A notebook and pen — you will want to write things down
• A reusable water bottle — Sedona is high desert at over 4,000 feet elevation. Hydration is not optional
• Cash and/or card for the vendor tables, book purchases, and local restaurants
• A portable phone charger — three days of photos and Livestreaming will drain your battery faster than you expect

For Sedona Generally:

• Sunscreen — apply before you leave your accommodation, not after you get to the site
• Lip balm — the dry desert air gets everyone
• A light daypack if you plan to explore between sessions
• Any crystals, amulets, or sacred objects you'd like to bring into this energy — Sedona is a place where those things feel appropriate and welcomed
• An open mind and a willingness to be surprised

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET

Weekend Pass:

• Full access to all three days of programming — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• All speaker presentations and panels
• All live Q&A sessions
• Access to the vendor area and speaker meet-and-greet opportunities
• Full weekend meal pass (for speakers and designated attendees — check your confirmation)
• Access to after-event social gatherings Friday and Saturday evening

Single Day Tickets:

• Full access to all programming on your chosen day
• Access to the vendor area
• Friday ticket holders: access to the after-party — DJ, food trucks, and Sedona wine tasting

All ticket holders:

• 25% discount on Austin Quest, October 16–18, 2026 — valid through June 21, 2026 (Summer Solstice)
• Access to the free Livestream registration for any days you're not attending in person

THE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Thursday, April 30 7:00–10:00pm — Speaker Dinner & Community Gathering

Friday, May 1 4:00–5:30pm — Meet & Greet Dinner with Speakers (selected attendees) 5:30pm — Doors Open 6:00–6:15pm — Opening & Welcome 6:15–7:30pm — Speaker Panel: The Second Sphinx Discovery 7:30–7:45pm — Break 7:45–8:30pm — Live Audience Q&A 8:30–11:00pm — After Party: DJ, Food Trucks & Sedona Wine Tasting

Saturday, May 2 Full day of presentations · Randall Carlson Keynote · Speaker Panel · Extended Q&A Evening social gathering

Sunday, May 3 Full day of presentations · DHC Virtual Q&A · Billy Carson Closing Keynote

LOCAL TIPS FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SEDONA

Eat early or make reservations. Sedona's best restaurants fill up fast on event weekends. If you want to eat at a specific place, call ahead or book online before you arrive. Chef Dahl's restaurants, Brewha, and the Chocolatree are all worth planning ahead for.

Explore the vortexes. Even a 30-minute walk at Airport Mesa or Crescent Moon at sunrise or sunset will completely change the way you experience the weekend. Get out there.

Drink more water than you think you need. Sedona sits at 4,350 feet elevation in high desert. The combination of altitude and dry air dehydrates you faster than you'd expect, especially if you're used to lower elevations. Hydrate before you feel thirsty.

Give yourself extra time everywhere. Sedona traffic, particularly on Highway 89A through Uptown, can be surprising for first-time visitors. Leave earlier than you think you need to.

Visit Sedona Amulets. Our founding sponsor Kevin Petrilli carries some of the most beautiful and authentically sourced sacred jewelry and crystal work in the region — and Quest attendees feel right at home there. Worth a visit.

Bring cash for the vendor tables. Many of our speakers and vendors prefer or appreciate cash transactions. There will be books, artwork, crystals, and merchandise you'll want — come prepared.

Stay off your phone during the sessions. You'll be tempted to film everything. Resist the urge for at least the first few minutes of each presentation. Let yourself actually be in the room. The Livestream and recordings will exist. The in-person experience of being fully present will not.

A NOTE ON THE ENERGY OF THIS GATHERING

Clifford Mahooty, a Zuni elder, once told us that when people gather in person — face to face, soul to soul — something transformational happens that cannot occur any other way. Not through a screen, not through a book, not through any technology we have invented.

That is why you are here.

Not just to hear Randall Carlson lay out the geological evidence for catastrophic earth cycles. Not just to sit with Billy Carson as he connects ancient knowledge to the consciousness of the present moment. Not just to absorb the decades of on-the-ground research that David Hatcher Childress carries in every story he tells.

You are here because the person sitting next to you — the stranger who becomes a friend somewhere between the morning session and the after-party — may change your life in ways no speaker ever could.

Come ready to be surprised. Come ready to be moved. Come ready to discover that the people in that room are your people — and that finding them was the real reason for the Quest all along.

We will see you in Sedona. 

QUICK REFERENCE

Sedona Performing Arts Center · 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd · Sedona, AZ 86336 May 1–3, 2026 Groome Transportation: groometransportation.com ACE Shuttle: aceshuttle.comTickets & Livestream: quest4ancients.com  Questions: robert@worldviewzmedia.com

Quest for Ancient Civilizations is produced by World ViewZ Media in partnership with Titan Network.