Festivals & Events

At Sitka WhaleFest in November, world-renowned scientists share their expertise on whales and marine life through three days of lectures in Sitka. Whale watching cruises take presenters and guests out to search for whales and other marine wildlife in Sitka Sound. This community event aims to raise [...]

The town of Haines celebrates the gathering of bald eagles in November at the Bald Eagle Festival. The event attracts hundreds of visitors from around the country for five days of speakers, presentations, photography workshops, art shows, and special exhibits at the Sheldon Museum and the American [...]

Join in the holiday fun at the Cordova Chamber of Commerce’s Hometown Holiday Kick-off on Friday, December 1st. Join the Cordova Chamber of Commerce on Main Street to share some holiday cheer while singing carols and watching Santa light the Big Tree Lighting at Cordova’s Hometown Holiday Kick-off [...]

What is the Iceworm Festival? The Cordova Iceworm Festival was created in 1961 by a few great Cordovans who were itching to lift the spirits of those down with the winter blues. Little did they know that the festival would grow to attract people from all across the world! What once was a two or [...]

The World Ice Art Championships, held in February and March, attracts talented ice carvers from around the world to Fairbanks. The event is one of the largest ice art competitions in the world, featuring stunning ice sculptures lit up with colorful lights. Visitors can walk among the sculptures [...]

Anchorage’s flagship winter event is Fur Rendezvous, nicknamed "Fur Rondy." This 12-day February festival celebrates the pioneering spirit of Alaskans and has been running since 1935. Fur Rondy features a wide selection of fun and wacky events including the Rondy Carnival, snow sculptures, the Grand [...]

One of Alaska’s most famous events, the nearly 1,000-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race begins the first Saturday in March with a ceremonial start in Anchorage and an official start the next day in Willow. The event ends in Nome about a week later as the mushers begin to cross the finish line.If you’re [...]

The Mat-Su Valley is excited to host the 2024 Arctic Winter Games March 10-16, 2024. The Arctic Winter Games brings together approximately 2,000 young athletes from around the circumpolar world for a week of athletic competitions and cultural exchanges. Sports competitions will be taking place [...]

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is Alaska’s largest wildlife-viewing festival, where birders from all over the world flock to Homer for workshops, seminars, and guided birding adventures. More than 100,000 shorebirds arrive at the tidal flats around Homer in early May, making it the largest bird [...]

The Kodiak Crab Fest is Kodiak Island's best event. First held in 1958 to celebrate the end of crabbing season, the weeklong festival in late May features a parade, a blessing of the fleet, foot and kayak races, live music, fishing skills contests, and a lot of king crab.Photo Credit: Michael [...]

Celebrate one of the largest gatherings of Alaska Native peoples in the state at Celebration, a four-day event that occurs every other year in downtown Juneau. Alaska Native Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples from come together to dress in traditional regalia and take part in song and dance [...]

Fairbanks hosts one of the best summer solstice celebrations in Alaska on summer solstice weekend, when the midnight sun shines all night long. This free 12-hour event includes a downtown street fair with arts, crafts, food, live music, and entertainment. If you’re around on the actual summer [...]