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! Visit our Alaska Native Festivals & Events page for even more cultural events.
Upcoming Festivals & Events
The Community of McCarthy and the folks that live and work in the Valley all summer - invite you to join them every Thursday night at the Golden Saloon - The only saloon inside a National Park! Bring your talent and step up to the mic. Great entertainment every Open Mic Thursday, inside Wrangell St [...]
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 [...]
“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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Alaska Native performers and artists gather in February for the Festival of Native Arts, a multi-day event that celebrates Alaska Native and Indigenous song, dance, and arts.
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 [...]
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 [...]
Festivals & Events Video Gallery
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