Alaska’s events calendar follows a logic shaped by climate, daylight, geography, and cultural history. Winter events take place in temperatures that can drop below −20°F, while summer festivals are scheduled around nearly 24 hours of daylight. Travel distances, weather windows, and wildlife cycles all influence when events occur.
This Alaska Events Calendar 2026 is designed for real trip planning, not browsing. Every section includes exact dates where confirmed, locations, pricing expectations, and practical details travelers typically look for when planning an Alaska visit.
What This Alaska Events Calendar Covers
This guide includes:
- Statewide festivals and city-based annual events
- Alaska Native cultural and historical observances
- Seasonal celebrations tied to winter, summer, wildlife, and harvest cycles
- Free public events and ticketed festivals
Alaska Events Calendar 2026 – Quick Overview
| Event Name | Dates (2026) | Location | Event Type |
| Alaska Craft Brew & Barley Wine Festival | Jan 23–24 | Anchorage | Food & Beverage |
| World Ice Art Championships | Feb 16 – Mar 31 | Fairbanks | Winter / Arts |
| Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy) | Feb 26 – Mar 8 | Anchorage | Winter Carnival |
| Festival of Native Arts | Feb 26–28 | Fairbanks | Cultural |
| Elizabeth Peratrovich Day | Feb 16 | Statewide | Historical Observance |
| Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race | Mar 4 (start) | Anchorage → Nome | Endurance Sport |
| Buckwheat Ski Classic | Mar 14 | Skagway | Winter Sports |
| Alaska Folk Festival | Apr 12–16 | Juneau | Music & Arts |
| Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival | May 6–10 | Homer | Wildlife |
| Kodiak Crab Festival | May 21–25 | Kodiak | Food & Community |
| Taste of Homer | May 30 – Jun 5 | Homer | Food Festival |
| Homer HarborFest | Jun 5–6 | Homer | Community |
| Summer Solstice Celebrations | Jun 20–21 | Statewide | Seasonal |
| Midnight Sun Festival | Jun 21 | Fairbanks | Seasonal |
| Independence Day Celebrations | Jul 4 | Statewide | Civic |
| Bear Paw Festival | Jul 8–12 | Eagle River | Community |
| Salmonfest | Jul 31 – Aug 2 | Kenai Peninsula | Music & Environmental |
| Alaska State Fair | Aug 21 – Sep 7 | Palmer | State Fair |
| Alaska Day Festival | Oct 18 | Sitka | Historical |
| Sitka WhaleFest | Nov 5–8 | Sitka | Wildlife / Education |
| Alaska Bald Eagle Festival | Nov 6–8 | Haines | Wildlife |
| New Year’s Eve Celebrations | Dec 31 | Statewide | Holiday |
How to Use This Calendar
- Plan Alaska trips by month
- Choose events based on season and daylight
- Estimate budgets using pricing ranges
- Identify family-friendly vs adult-focused events
Major Festivals, Cultural Events & Seasonal Highlights in Alaska
Largest Annual Festivals
- Alaska State Fair (Palmer): Aug 21 – Sept 7, 2026
- Fur Rendezvous (Anchorage): Feb 26 – Mar 8, 2026
- World Ice Art Championships (Fairbanks): Feb 16 – Mar 31, 2026
- Midnight Sun Festival (Fairbanks): June 21, 2026
- Alaska Day Festival (Sitka): October 18, 2026
Alaska Native Cultural Events
- Festival of Native Arts (Fairbanks): Feb 26 – Feb 28, 2026
- Indigenous performances, regalia displays, and traditional storytelling
- Events typically last 2–4 days and are mostly free or low-cost
Seasonal Event Categories
- Winter festivals held in January–March
- Summer festivals are concentrated between June and August
- Wildlife festivals are aligned with migration and feeding cycles
- Food and seafood festivals are timed to seasonal harvests
Alaska Events by Month – 2026
January 2026 Events in Alaska
Deep Winter, Indoor Culture & Community Life
January daylight averages 3–6 hours per day, making indoor and community-based events more common.
January 2026 Event Highlights
- Coldest month of the year
- Mostly indoor venues
- Events typically last 1–3 days
Major January Events
1. Alaska Craft Brew & Barley Wine Festival
- Dates: January 23–24, 2026
- Location: Anchorage
- Event Type: Food & Beverage Festival
- What Happens: 30+ Alaska breweries, winter beer styles
- Who It’s For: Adults (21+)
- Pricing: ~$45–$70
- Things to Know: Tickets sell out quickly; indoor venue
2. Community Winter Festivals
- Dates: Various weekends in January
- Location: Multiple towns
- Event Type: Local cultural events
- Pricing: Free to ~$10
February 2026 Events in Alaska
Signature Winter Festivals & Cultural Expression
Daylight increases rapidly from 7 to 10 hours by late February.
February 2026 Event Highlights
- Peak winter festival season
- Largest number of statewide events
Major February Events
1. World Ice Art Championships
- Dates: February 16 – March 31, 2026
- Location: Fairbanks
- Event Type: International Ice Art Festival
- What Happens: 100+ large-scale ice sculptures
- Pricing: Free outdoor viewing; indoor exhibits ~$10–$20
2. Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy)
- Dates: February 26 – March 8, 2026
- Location: Anchorage
- Event Type: Winter Carnival
- What Happens: Parades, snow sports, community contests
- Pricing: Mostly free; select events ~$5–$50
3. Festival of Native Arts
- Dates: February 26 – February 28, 2026
- Location: Fairbanks
- Event Type: Cultural Festival
- Pricing: Free or under $10
4. Elizabeth Peratrovich Day
- Date: February 16, 2026
- Location: Statewide
- Event Type: Historical observance
- Pricing: Free
Also Read: Elizabeth Peratrovich: The Woman Who Changed Alaska’s Civil Rights History
March 2026 Events in Alaska
Endurance Sports & Seasonal Transition
March daylight expands to 13+ hours by month’s end.
Major March Events
1. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
- Ceremonial Start: March 4, 2026
- Route: Anchorage to Nome (~1,000 miles)
- Duration: 8–15 days
- Pricing: Free to watch
2. Buckwheat Ski Classic
- Date: March 14, 2026
- Location: Skagway
- Event Type: Community ski race
April 2026 Events in Alaska
Arts, Music & Shoulder-Season Culture
Major April Events
1. Alaska Folk Festival
- Dates: April 12 – April 16, 2026
- Location: Juneau
- Event Type: Music Festival
- Pricing: Free
May 2026 Events in Alaska
Wildlife, Food & Seasonal Reopening
Major May Events
1. Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
- Dates: May 6 – May 10, 2026
- Location: Homer
- Event Type: Wildlife Festival
- Pricing: Free events and ticketed workshops
2. Kodiak Crab Festival
- Dates: May 21 – May 25, 2026
- Location: Kodiak
- Event Type: Food & Community Festival
- Pricing: Mostly free
3. Taste of Homer
- Dates: May 30 – June 5, 2026
- Location: Homer
- Event Type: Food Festival
June 2026 Events in Alaska
Extended Daylight & Cultural Density
June offers 18–24 hours of daylight depending on location.
Major June Events
1. Midnight Sun Festival
- Date: June 21, 2026
- Location: Fairbanks
- Event Type: Seasonal Celebration
2. Summer Solstice Celebrations
- Dates: June 20–21, 2026
- Location: Statewide
3. Homer HarborFest
- Dates: June 5–6, 2026
- Location: Homer
July 2026 Events in Alaska
Peak Tourism & Public Celebrations
Major July Events
1. Independence Day Celebrations
- Date: July 4, 2026
- Location: Statewide
2. Bear Paw Festival
- Dates: July 8 – July 12, 2026
- Location: Eagle River
3. Salmonfest
- Dates: July 31 – August 2, 2026
- Location: Kenai Peninsula
August 2026 Events in Alaska
Fairs, Harvest & Late-Summer Traditions
Major August Events
1. Alaska State Fair
- Dates: August 21 – September 7, 2026
- Location: Palmer
- Pricing: ~$10–$15 entry; concerts ~$40–$75
September 2026 Events in Alaska
Fall Transition & Local Culture
- Final days of the Alaska State Fair
- Local harvest and community events
October 2026 Events in Alaska
History & Cultural Reflection
Major October Events
1. Alaska Day Festival
- Date: October 18, 2026
- Location: Sitka
November 2026 Events in Alaska
Wildlife Observation & Education
- Sitka WhaleFest: November 5–8, 2026
- Alaska Bald Eagle Festival (Haines): November 6–8, 2026
December 2026 Events in Alaska
Holidays & Winter Return
- Holiday markets throughout December
- New Year’s Eve Celebrations: December 31, 2026
Ongoing & Seasonal Events in Alaska (2026)
- Anchorage Market & Festival: Every weekend, May–September
- University lectures and performances: Year-round
Final Notes
With clearly defined seasons, extreme daylight variation, and strong cultural identity, Alaska’s events are deeply tied to place and timing. Planning around exact dates ensures smoother travel, better accommodations, and a more meaningful experience.
FAQs
What are the major Alaska events in 2026?
Major Alaska events in 2026 include the World Ice Art Championships, Fur Rendezvous, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Midnight Sun Festival, Alaska State Fair, and Alaska Day Festival. These events take place across different seasons and regions of the state.
When is the best time to visit Alaska for festivals?
The best time to visit Alaska for festivals is between June and August, when daylight lasts up to 24 hours and most major cultural, music, and community festivals take place. Winter festivals peak in February and early March.
Are Alaska events held year-round?
Yes, Alaska hosts events year-round. Winter events dominate from January to March, summer festivals run from June to August, and cultural, wildlife, and historical events occur throughout fall and early winter.
What are the most popular winter festivals in Alaska?
The most popular winter festivals in Alaska are Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage, the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and the Festival of Native Arts.
How can I find Alaska events by month in 2026?
You can find Alaska events by month in 2026 by using a month-by-month events calendar that lists festivals, exact dates, locations, and seasonal highlights from January through December.
