Here's your guide to Alaska's summer fairs and festivals in 2022
May 26—Even though it's felt like summer for much of May, Memorial Day weekend usually signals the unofficial start to the season in Alaska. For many, summer means fishing, camping and plenty of time in the outdoors. But it also means attending the festivals and fairs sprinkled throughout the 49th state.
From Kodiak to Chicken and points in between, here's a guide to 2022 summer festivals happening across Alaska.
Crab Fest: Kodiak, May 26-30
The Kodiak Crab Fest and Parade includes five days of activities and events to celebrate the community in Kodiak. The parade will be on Saturday, May 28, but there will be live music, contests and activities all day, every day from Thursday until Monday.
Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival: Trapper Creek, May 27-29
The Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival, hosted at Boot's Bison Ranch, is a weekend of folk fun and bluegrass music. Attendance will be limited and tickets are $100, which includes camping for all three days.
Great Alaska Craft Beer and Home Beer Festival: Haines, May 27-28 (Sold out)
The Great Alaska Beerfest features beer from all over Alaska and the Yukon. Friday will be the home brew contest (registration required; not open to the public), and Saturday will start with the Slammin' Salmon Fun Run, followed by the beer tasting. Don't forget to bring cash for food.
Spenard Jazz Fest: Anchorage, May 31-June 5
The 15th annual Spenard Jazz Fest will be an opportunity to experience up-and-coming local artists, as well as see professionals from within and outside the jazz community. Tickets are available for purchase for individual concerts, but members get free and discounted concert admission. There will be a week of music and shows, including free First Friday concerts June 3 at the Anchorage Museum.
Yakutat Tern Festival: Yakutat, June 2-5
The 11th annual Yakutat Tern Festival is a celebration of Yakutat, art, and the one of the largest nesting colonies of Aleutian terns, Arctic terns and the rest of the huge variety of bird species that nest in or near Yakutat. There will be four days of family-friendly activities and events, and although there are no registration fees this year, you should RSVP on the website ahead of time.
Sitka Music Festival: Sitka, June 3-26
Are you a fan of chamber music and classical performances? There are already 18 concerts scheduled for the Sitka Music Festival's 51st season this year. Check out their website for tickets and more information.
3 Barons Renaissance Fair: Anchorage, June 4-5 and 11-12
The 3 Barons Renaissance Fair will be in Anchorage for two weekends this year, with plenty of crafts, activities, contests, food, and much more. General admission tickets are $10.
Colony Days: Palmer, June 10-12
Colony Days is Palmer's summer celebration for the whole family. There will be races and contests, carnivals, farmers markets and much much more. Check out their website for your opportunity to win prizes in cornhole, or perhaps by baking with rhubarb.
Chickenstock: Chicken, June 10-11 (Sold out)
Woodstock is out, Chickenstock is in! The 16th annual Chickenstock Music Festival will feature Alaskan artists, local foods and craft brews, games, crafts and plenty more to fill the weekend. Go ahead and see how things are done in Chicken, Alaska.
Kenai River Festival: Soldotna, June 10-12
Soldotna Creek Park will be home to booths, crafts, swag, and live music all weekend. Check out the Kids' Zone, browse the Alaska Artisan Market, graze from food vendors and more.
Last Frontier Theatre Conference: Valdez, June 11-18
Theater kids, unite: Prince William Sound College is hosting the annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. Programs include the Fringe Festival and the Monologue Workshop. Register on their website now.
Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival: Seldovia, June 16-19
The Seldovia Music Festival will have artist workshops, buskers, open mics, bonfire jams and more. It's a celebration of Alaska summer, the endless days of solstice and the beauty of Kachemak Bay.
Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival: Moose Pass, June 17-19
Moose Pass will have vendors, music, art, food, and fun for summer solstice. Celebrate the sunlight in Moose Pass.
Sundown Solstice Festival: Anchorage, June 17-19
Williwaw Social is hosting a huge music festival for the summer solstice this year. The outdoor stage at Sixth Avenue and F Street will be home to concerts, food vendors and all-around fun for three days straight. There will be an under-21 section within full view of the stage, as well as a 21-and-over wet section. The festival includes shows by rapper A$AP Ferg, electronic duo Hippie Sabotage and local artists like Frozen Founders and Bethlehem Shalom. Tickets start at $79.
Midnight Sun Festival: Fairbanks, June 18
Fairbanks knows how to celebrate solstice right. There will be 12 hours of entertainment for the thousands of people who pack downtown Fairbanks to enjoy the longest day of the year. Head north for live music, games and vendors galore.
Juneteenth: Anchorage, June 19
Juneteenth, or June 19, is a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth will be recognized in Anchorage during a gathering at the Delaney Park Strip, with adjacent events happening around the city.
Scottish Highland Games: Palmer, June 25-26
The Alaska Scottish Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish heritage and traditions. Stop by the Alaska State Fairgrounds to compete in the games or to spectate. There will also be traditional music and of course, food. Discounted advance tickets are available now.
Forest Fair: Girdwood, July 1-3
The annual Forest Fair in Girdwood is all about local art and artists, hand-crafted and homemade goods, and the gathering of the community of Girdwood. Parking is limited, so car pooling is encouraged, and there will be a shuttle. There is no admission fee, no dogs, no politics and no religious orders. Public camping is prohibited during the Forest Fair.
Fourth of July and Mount Marathon: Seward, July 1-4
There might not be a better Alaska summer duo than the town of Seward and the Fourth of July. Seward will be full of high spirits, festival booths, fireworks and slightly out-of-their-mind athletes on the weekend of the Fourth. Mount Marathon, the annual footrace up and back down the steep and rocky slopes, will be taking place on Monday, July 4.
Fourth of July Celebration and Parade: Anchorage, July 4
Admittedly, the drive to Seward can become a little frustrating for the Fourth, with traffic flooding the highway. For those without at least six hours of audiobooks downloaded, Anchorage is happy to celebrate with you. The Fourth of July Parade starts downtown at 10 a.m. After the parade, there will be a festival on the Delaney Park Strip lasting until 10 p.m., with rides, games, food and fun.
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival: Fairbanks, July 3-31
Throughout the month of July, there will be over 200 workshops and events in Fairbanks for the Summer Arts Festival. Registration is now open.
Bear Paw Festival: Chugiak-Eagle River, July 13-17
The Bear Paw festival is a great way for the Chugiak and Eagle River community to come together and celebrate summer. The vendor court is full, so there will plenty of food and merchandise to browse, and there will be carnival rides Thursday through Sunday. There is also a raffle to win two Alaska Airlines tickets.
Copper River Salmon Jam: Cordova, July 15-16
The Copper River Salmon Jam will have music raising money for the arts in Cordova, Salmon Runs to get you moving, kids activities, and of course, salmon cooked every which way. Check out the Salmon Jam to support the community in Cordova in whichever way best suits you.
Golden Days: Fairbanks, July 23
The celebration of the founding of Fairbanks dates back to 1952 and touts events for all ages. Included in the 2022 edition is the biggest parade in Alaska, a street fair and a rubber ducky race along the Chena River.
Back to Bluegrass Festival: McGrath, July 23-24
This annual festival supports KSKO, the local radio station. This year's festival features Nothin' But Trouble, Todd Grebe and Cold Country plus Wave Train featuring Jim and Mary Odden.
Southeast Alaska State Fair: Haines, July 28-31
The Fair has loads of showcases, contests and competitions, from horseshoes to a parade and a wearable art review. Entertainment options include Skagway band New Twin and magical entertainer Andrew Nadon, who also hails from Skagway. Blackwater Railroad Company and the Lack Family also provide musical options at the fair.
Salmonfest: Ninilchik, Aug. 5-7
Headliners include Umphrey's McGee, Shakey Graves and Rising Appalachia. Salmonfest is a three-day annual music festival held in Ninilchik, centered around fish, love, and music. There will be concerts, a smoked salmon super bowl, activities and games for the whole family. Tickets start at $85, and there will be free shuttle between nearby campgrounds and the festival grounds.
Alaska Soulfest: Kenai, Aug. 12-14
The Alaska Soulfest will be a full moon celebration, with yoga, music, vendors and booths. There will be locally sourced foods, sound baths, hemp demonstrations and more. Early bird tickets start at $75.
Alaska State Fair: Palmer, Aug. 19-Sept. 5
The Alaska State Fair is an annual tradition featuring concerts, rides, games, vendors and food. Featured artists include Caamp, Chris Janson, Toby Mac, Rise Against, Barenaked Ladies and more. There will also be contests and exhibits in art, photography, crafts, crops, flowers and livestock. Tickets available now.
Fungus Fair: Girdwood, Sept. 3-4
The 15th annual Girdwood Fungus Fair will be back this year with opportunities for education and appreciation of Alaska's fungi and forests. More information available in July.
Fungus Festival: Cordova, Sept. 9-11
Cordova's 16th annual Fungus Festival will be all about foraging and discovering the hidden treasures of the earth. There will be educational opportunities, workshops, kids activities, and more. More information available closer to the event.
Seward Music and Arts Festival: Seward, TBA
The Seward Music and Arts Festival is a downtown festival and celebration of the music and arts community in Alaska. It's also the best way to wrap up a happy summer of community and festivals. Check the website for updates.
