Festivals & Events
From music festivals to fishing derbies, Alaska celebrates all things wild and wonderful. Scan the skies at one of Alaska’s many birding festivals, experience an Alaska Native cultural event, or cheer on the state's canine athletes at a dog mushing race. Winter or Summer, Alaska’s festivals range from quirky to creative and everything in between. Be sure to check out the Alaska Events Calendar while planning your trip. There's something for everyone!
Upcoming Festivals & Events
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 [...]
We invite you to join the mass migration of Pacific shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds. Their shoreside respite is framed against the pristine backdrop of coastal glaciers and mountains, the breathtaking vista that we call home. Come outfitted with your binoculars, spotting scopes [...]
Wood Fest is a celebration of wood, and the craft that surrounds this marvelous resource. During the long weekend of Wood Fest, we will have many events and demonstrations open to the public, several activities geared toward kids and families, short classes, a couple of slide presentations, and [...]
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. Please Note: this event [...]
In Utqiagvik, the Nalukataq whaling festival is held by the Iñupiaq people in spring following a successful whaling season to appease the spirits of deceased whales so that they will return in the form of new whales the next season. In addition to dancing, singing, and food, the whaling festival [...]
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 [...]
Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and meet at the grassy field at 12:00 for the opening ceremony, where you’ll get to experience: Mayor’s Welcome US Coast Guard Presenting the Colors The National Anthem Incredible music from our very own Belle Mickelson and players ACTIVITIES AND LAWN GAMES [...]
Each summer, Fairbanks is home to the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, a series of traditional Alaska Native competitions of mental and physical toughness that started in 1961. This four-day event attracts Indigenous athletes from across the north who display amazing athletic abilities in contests like [...]
Join us in Cordova, AK for a weekend JAM-packed with live music, wild Copper River Salmon, arts & crafts, road races, dancing & fun activities for kids!
“Everything’s bigger in Alaska” doesn’t just refer to mountains, glaciers, and wildlife. Alaska’s largest event, the Alaska State Fair, takes place in Palmer in late August and early September. Concerts, performances, exhibits, thrilling rides, and world-record-setting vegetables are all part of the [...]
Throughout this three-day event, Fungus Festival attendees have opportunities to learn more about local mushrooms, participate in art & handcraft workshops, and celebrate the Fish-Fungus-Forest connection. The festival includes guided forays, an identification table, expert keynote speakers, a Wine [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]

Alaska: AKA Your Next Adventure
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