Alaska is a large place located in the United States of America. The place is very beautiful and enrapturing. Alaska is a place to enjoy the beauty of nature which you seldom get to witness in the cities. You can go hiking, paddling, fishing and enjoy a host of other outdoor activities. The place also has many state and national parks, some of which are the largest in the United States. Other than this what makes the place vibrant is the festivals in Alaska. Read on to find out more about them.
Festivals In Alaska
Festivals are a great way of socializing. Moreover, a festival of a different place is a great way of understanding the values, culture, and history of that place. The festivals and events that are conducted all around the world are quite unique and impressive in their own ways. So we bring you some of the best and worth attending festivals and events in Alaska.
1. Alaska State Fair
The Alaska State Fair is the annual state fair which is held in Palmer in Alaska. The festival usually begins at the end of August and is a major attraction for the people. You will find a lot of things to see and activities to do in this fair. If you are a foodie, you will find a variety of food to gorge on. And those who wish to have some extra dose of fun and thrill can choose a ride from an array of rides that are present here. There are also many carnival games that you can play, along with a lot of exhibits that you can browse through. There are many concerts also that are organized in the state fair.
Where: Palmer, Alaska
Date: Months of August-September
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
2. Alaska Festival of Native Arts
Acknowledging and celebrating one’s culture and heritage is a great way of respecting it and taking pride in it. The Alaska Festival of Native Arts is exactly that. The aim of the festival is to celebrate the native culture of Alaska. The culture includes music, dance, and traditional arts and includes various performances of groups of Alaska as well as groups from outside Alaska. It is a great place to understand the culture of Alaska. You can purchase artsy products of Alaska or even watch movies about different cultures.
Where: University of Alaska Fairbanks Brooks Building
Date: Months of February-March
Must Read: 10 Best Places To Visit In Alaska That Offer Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience
3. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
This is one of the most exciting races that take place in Alaska. The race consists of a team of sixteen dogs who have to cover the distance from Anchorage to Nome in eight to fifteen days or more. Imagine a snow-clad surface on which furry pals are running! This is exactly how the scenario looks like! The race is super fun and is a big deal back in Alaska.
Where: Anchorage to Nome
Date: Early March
4. Alaska Folk Festival
Music is something that most of us enjoy and like to listen. Certain music has a calming effect on us. And this festival of Alaska is a celebration of folk music of Alaska. It is organized by a non-profit organization, Alaska Folk Festival Inc. The main aim of the festival is to show encouragement towards traditional folk music, support such music and spread folk music among masses. There are many performances, both by solo artists and group musicians. And those who are interested in music can even attend the music workshops that are conducted at the festival. The best part about the festival is that the entry to the folk festival is absolutely free of cost.
Where: Juneau, Alaska
Date: February
Suggested Read: 10 Extraordinary Things To Do In Alaska That Will Make You Crave For An Adventure
5. Celebration
The Celebration festival is a biennial festival that is organized as a cultural event of Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian. The festival is conducted for three days which includes a host of activities, dance performances, screening of films, poetry recitation, and native fashion shows. The highlight of the festival is that it holds a traditional food contest as a way of promoting native food along with the health benefits that come with it. The Celebration is conducted by a non-profit organization, the Sealaska Heritage Institute.
Where: Juneau, Alaska
Date: varies
6. Golden days
The Golden Day is celebrated in Fairbanks Alaska to honor the city’s past. The Golden Day is quite popular with the tourists, and this is the peak time of tourist rush here at Fairbanks. The Golden Days parade is one of the most popular events of the festival. The festival goes on for five days, and you will spot people wearing a Victorian style of clothing as a mark of support to the festival. Apart from the parade there is a rubber ducky race, can-can show and a lot of other fun activities. There are also many contests that you can take part in.
Where: Fairbanks, Alaska
Date: February
Suggested Read: 10 Best Alaska Hotels For A Sojourn Amid Nature
Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!
Real travel stories. Real stays. Handy tips to help you make the right choice.
7. World Ice Art championship
The competition is based around ice sculptures. Various ice sculptors from more than thirty countries come to take part in the competition. The contest also attracts a lot of spectators. The intricate ice work done by the artists is truly a vision to behold. The glistening ice sculptures are beautifully made. There are many events that are conducted in the World Ice Art Championship. You will also find ice mazes, and ice stages for performance. If you want to experience an ‘icy’ vacation, then you should definitely pay a visit to the festival.
Where: Fairbanks, Alaska
Date: February-March
8. Stikine River Birding Festival
All those who love bird watching, we have got an entire festival that is dedicated to the birds! The Stikine River Birding Festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring here in Alaska. The festival also celebrates the arrival of many birds like eagles, shorebirds, snow geese and sandhill cranes. The birds are seen in a large concentration. Apart from witnessing a large gathering of the birds, you can also take part in contests and workshops that are conducted here.
Where: Wrangell, Alaska
Date: April
Suggested Read: Denali National Park: An Absolute Guide To The Crown Jewel Of Alaska
9. May Day Fly-In Air show
As a child, we all were in awe of watching a plane from land. It is now the time to relive your childhood experience in the form of May Day Fly-In Air Show which is one of the grandest and popular air show. It attracts a lot of spectators. The aviation show has some of the best pilots from around the world. There are many events that are indeed going to leave you awestruck. There is high flying acrobats, flour bombing and much more that is a part of this grandeur festival.
Where: Valdez, Alaska
Date: May
10. Mount Marathon
Imagine running in a picturesque atmosphere of greenery, waterfalls, and cliffs! The running experience is made a lot more beautiful if these elements are added! And this image is a reality in the form of the Mount Marathon. The Mount Marathon is conducted every year on the fourth of July wherein a lot of people from around the world come and take part in the race. The marathon is set in a very beautiful location; where one will get to witness some of the spectacular views like waterfalls, cliffs. The festivity is celebrated with fireworks, street parades, and much more. The marathon is 1.5 miles long, up the face of a mountain.
Where: Seward, Alaska
Date: Fourth of July
Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Alaska: Romantic Cruise, Cabin In The Woods, & Unlimited Adventure
11. Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is conducted at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus. The festival is a two-week long affair and has its visitors from all over the world. There are many people who take part in the festival. There are also many artists who get involved in workshops like art, theatre, music, culinary arts, and much more.
Where: Fairbanks, Alaska
Date: end of July
12. Tanana Valley State Fair
The Tanana Valley State Fair was started more than a hundred years ago. It makes it one of the oldest festivals in Alaska. At this festival, you will find a host of things. The things that you will find here are unique and super fun. There will be cute little babies who will be taking part in the baby shows and talent shows. There will be people trying their luck (and stomach!) in the watermelon eating competition. There are many other things that are organized in this festival.
Where: Fairbanks, Alaska
Date: early August
Further Read: 8 Best Resorts In Alaska To Unwind At Your Own Pace Amidst Nature!
The list is a proof enough that Alaska is a very vibrant and happening place. There are so many events and festivals in Alaska that you can attend and visit throughout the year. So if you are planning a trip to Alaska, you should definitely refer to the list and plan your trip according to the festivals, so you get to witness some of the best festivals ever!
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
