Your guide to Alaska’s summer fairs and festivals in 2024

June in Alaska means fishing, camping and plenty of time outdoors. But it also means attending festivals and fairs sprinkled throughout the 49th state.

From Kodiak to Chicken and points in between, here’s a guide to 2024 summer festivals happening across Alaska.

Sitka Music Festival: Sitka, May 28-June 23

Are you a fan of chamber music and classical performances? There are plenty of concerts scheduled and guest artists appearing for the Sitka Music Festival’s 53rd season this year. Check out their website for tickets and more information.

Spenard Jazz Fest: Anchorage, May 30-June 2, June 7

The 17th 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 individual concerts, and there will be a week of music featuring house concerts, dinner shows and even a public multi-genre jam.

Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival: Trapper Creek, May 30-June 2

The Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival, hosted at Boot’s Bison Ranch, is a weekend of folk, fun and music. Attendance will be limited to 500 people, and three-day festival tickets are $150, or $200 for a four-day ticket, which includes camping.

Yakutat Tern Festival: Yakutat, May 30-June 2

The 13th 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 for kids and adults.

3 Barons Renaissance Fair: Anchorage, June 1-2 and 8-9

The 3 Barons Renaissance Fair will be in Anchorage for two weekends this year, with plenty of crafts, activities, contests, food and much more. The first weekend is pirate themed and the second is fantasy themed. General admission tickets are $10.

Fairbanks Summer Folk Fest: Fairbanks, June 7-8

A free, family-friendly event, this two-day festival will feature plenty of picking as well as food trucks and vendors. Ester Community Park hosts the fest from noon-10 p.m. on Saturday. Friday night will feature a potluck, workshops and jamming.

Colony Days: Palmer, June 7-9

Colony Days is Palmer’s summer celebration for the whole family. There will be races and contests, carnivals, farmers markets and much more. Check out their website for your opportunity to win prizes in cornhole, or perhaps by baking with rhubarb.

Sundown Solstice Festival: Anchorage, June 7-9

Sundown Solstice is in its third year, with an even bigger lineup at Cuddy Family Midtown Park. Tech N9ne will headline the final day, with Diplo and Portugal. The Man taking top billing spots as well. There will be bars curated by Moose’s Tooth and food trucks, carnival rides plus interactive art. Three-day general admission passes run from $229 and single-day passes run $99.

Kenai River Fair: Soldotna, June 8

Soldotna Creek Park will be home to booths, crafts, swag and live music all weekend celebrating the Kenai River. Check out the Kids Education Zone, browse the educational booths, graze from food vendors and more.

Vaniversary: Anchorage, June 8

The 6th annual Vaniversary includes 28 bands playing live in a single day at Van’s Dive Bar, one of Anchorage’s busiest music venues the other 364 days of the year. There will be food, art and fun all starting at 3 p.m. and running until 2 a.m.

Last Frontier Theatre Conference: Valdez, June 8-15

Theater kids, unite: Prince William Sound College is hosting the annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. Featured artists include Kevin Armento and Joseph Biagini. Programs include the Valdez Theatre Fringe and the Monologue Workshop. Register on their website now.

Chickenstock: Chicken, June 14-15 (sold out)

Woodstock is out, Chickenstock is in! The 18th annual Chickenstock Music Festival will feature Alaska artists, local foods and craft brews, games, crafts and plenty more to fill the weekend. This music festival on the top of the world is sold out.

Solstice Luau: Healy, June 15

This celebration at 49th State Brewing features music from H3, Ukulele Russ, Rootsy Soul and a late-night DJ plus a special Hawaiian menu served all day along with Wikilicious Malasadas and Hawaiian shave ice from Shave Ice Sisters. Early bird tickets are $15.

Juneteenth: Fairbanks, June 15

The Fairbanks chapter of the NAACP is hosting a Freedom Day on June 15 for Juneteenth. The celebration will be from noon until 4 p.m. at Allridge Park in Fairbanks. Stop by for food, to browse vendors, and enjoy the various cultural presentations.

Althing Heathen Festival: Fairbanks, June 15

The third annual edition of this festival features the heathen market, a full day of music and many witchy workshops. The fest is free and held at the Ester Community Park.

Juneteenth Citywide Celebration: Anchorage, June 15-16

Juneteenth, or June 19, is a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth will be recognized in Anchorage with a full weekend of events that includes a health fair, an education fair, a pageant, a parade and performers on the Delaney Park Strip.

Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival: Moose Pass, June 15-16

Moose Pass will have vendors, music, art, food and fun for summer solstice. The Last Frontier Band, The Tyson James Band and The Jangle Bees are among the scheduled musical performers. Celebrate the sunlight in Moose Pass.

Nikiski Days Family Fun in the Midnight Sun: Nikiski, June 15

The Family Fun in the Midnight Sun Festival is Nikiski’s annual solstice festival. The event promises food, live music, games like an obstacle course and fun for the entire family.

Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival: Seldovia, June 20-22

The 23rd annual Seldovia Music Festival will feature music from headliners Witty Youngman from Anchorage, Solar Gain from Talkeetna and Oregon’s Alder Street. It’s a celebration of Alaska summer, the endless days of solstice and the beauty of Kachemak Bay.

Chugach Fest: Anchorage, June 21-22

This two-day music event at Arctic Valley Ski Area is presented by Arctic Valley and the Anchorage Ski Club. The fest includes over a dozen of Alaska’s best bands like The Roland Roberts Band, SunDog, Wiley Post and The Jangle Bees. There is camping available and beer vendors and food trucks are onsite.

End of the Road Ren Fair: Valdez, June 21-23

This Renaissance festival in Valdez will be held at Barney Meyring Park and will include live performances and vendors from across the state with unique handmade items. The fair, which has a pirate theme this year, will run for multiple days as it returns for its second year.

Downtown Summer Solstice Festival: Anchorage, June 22

There are events are across downtown from Town Square Park, Peratrovich Park to E and G Streets. There will be over 50 local vendors, food trucks, a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, music from the Jangle Bees, Spenerds, Yachtly Crew and more. There will also be dance performances from Sankofa, Polynesian Dance by POA, Flow Zone and Anaya Latin Dance’s Salsa Dance Social.

Midnight Sun Festival: Fairbanks, June 22

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.

Anchorage Pride Parade and Festival: Anchorage, June 29

The Anchorage Pride Parade returns to highlight Alaska’s LGBTQ+ community. It’s scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. Afterward the Celebrate Pride Festival will take place on the Park Strip, with local vendors, food trucks, musicians and drag artists. There are also many other events and gatherings associated with Anchorage Pride Month throughout June.

Scottish Highland Games: Palmer, June 29-30

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 games, music and, of course, food. Discounted advance tickets are available now.

Homer Peony Celebration: Homer, July 1-30

Known as “The City of Peonies,” Homer has 25 peony farms with great growing conditions. Outside of touring the farms there are plenty of other activities and events, hosted by local businesses and organizations.

Fourth of July and Mount Marathon: Seward, July 3-4

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 heading into the Fourth, with parades on land and on the water. Mount Marathon, the annual footrace up and back down the steep and rocky slopes, will take place Thursday, July 4.

Forest Fair: Girdwood, July 5-7

The annual Forest Fair in Girdwood is all about local art and artists, handcrafted and homemade goods, and the gathering of the community of Girdwood. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged, and there will be a shuttle going to and from Anchorage for $5 each way. There’s no admission fee, no dogs, no politics and no religious orders. Public camping is prohibited during the Forest Fair.

Kachemak Bay Highland Games: Homer, July 6

The Scottish Highland Games in Palmer will be followed by the Kachemak Bay Highland Games in Homer, just in case you can’t get your fill. Not only will there be traditional games and contests, but also the Harp Twins with the Volfgang Twins will perform. Held at Karen Hornaday Park, the event will have vendors, food trucks and lots of Scottish pride. Tickets are $10 each day.

Bear Paw Festival: Chugiak-Eagle River, July 10-14

The Bear Paw Festival is a great way for the Chugiak and Eagle River community to come together and celebrate summer. There’s always plenty of food and merchandise to browse, and there will be carnival rides Thursday through Sunday. The festival also features a raffle to win two Alaska Airlines tickets plus unique events like the Human Foosball Tournament and Slippery Salmon Olympics.

Alaska Yoga Fest: Fairbanks, July 12-13

This festival has moved around the state and is being hosted in Fairbanks this summer. There are yoga classes every hour on the hour and will be held outside rain or shine. Early bird tickets are available.

Golden Days: Fairbanks, July 13

The celebration of the founding of Fairbanks dates back to 1952 and touts events for all ages. Included in the 2024 edition is a parade that organizers bill as the biggest in Alaska, a street fair and a rubber ducky race along the Chena River.

Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival: Fairbanks, July 14-28

Throughout two weeks of July, there will be more than 200 workshops and events in Fairbanks for the Summer Arts Festival. Registration is now open for workshops on everything from instrumental performance to dancing, painting and cooking.

Rock’n the Ranch at the RustyRavin: Kenai, July 19-20

This music festival, headlined by local bands like Blackwater Railroad Company, The Roland Roberts Band and The Vintage Retro, is a great place to check out Alaska talent, eat great food and hang out. There will be vendors and booths, a beer garden and plenty of space to kick back, relax and enjoy the music.

Copper River Salmon Jam: Cordova, July 19-20

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.

Back to Bluegrass Festival: McGrath, July 20-21

This annual festival supports KSKO, the local radio station. This year’s festival features Glacier Blues Band and Hope Social Club among others.

Anchorage Chamber Music Festival: Anchorage, July 24-Aug. 3

With a mix of house concerts and public performances, the 12th season features not only professional musicians from all over the world performing, but a week-long course for aspiring young chamber musicians.

Bearfest: Wrangell, July 24-28

The Alaska Bearfest in Wrangell is dedicated to ... you guessed it — bears! This festival includes cultural events, art workshops, a golf tournament, food and games, plus a marathon, half-marathon and 5K on July 28. The night before the race, enjoy a pasta dinner to load up on carbs, followed by live music.

Southeast Alaska State Fair: Haines, July 25-28

The fair has loads of showcases, contests and competitions, from horseshoes to a parade and a wearable art review. Entertainment options include The Kitchen Dwellers, Delhi2Dublin, The Femmes and Cows Go Moo.

Gold Rush Days: Valdez, July 31-Aug. 4

The Gold Rush Days celebration in Valdez is a way to honor the past, present and future of the town. There will be vendors and fundraising, and perhaps more importantly, rides on the Hoosegow, Gold Rush Days’ traveling prison cart. Check the website for more information as the festival date approaches.

Salmonfest: Ninilchik, Aug. 2-4

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. Headliners include Dawes, The Devil Makes Three and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Three-day passes are $195 for adults and $40 for kids 6-12.

Blueberry Arts Festival: Ketchikan, Aug. 2-4

The Ketchikan Blueberry Arts Festival is an annual celebration of arts that has been taking place in Ketchikan since 1975. The festival kicks off with the Pet and Doll Parade and also features booths, live music and other events taking place all over town. Other highlights include the Handmade Human Powered Blueberry Boat Race and the Richard Brautigan, Dick Whitaker and Lillian Ference Memorial Trout Fishing in America Poetry Slam and Flounder Free Form Poetry Contest.

Kenai Peninsula Fair: Ninilchik, Aug. 9-11

The weekend includes music, exhibits, vendors and much more at the “Biggest Little Fair in Alaska.” The fair runs from noon-8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Ester Fest: Fairbanks, Aug. 10

The 7th annual Ester Fest is a family-friendly fundraiser to help raise revenue for maintenance and improvement of the Ester Community Park. Alaska musicians will be featured on the bill and there will be plenty of concessions.

Galway Days Irish Festival: Anchorage, Aug. 10-11

The Galway Days Irish Festival is a free event in downtown Anchorage at Town Square Park featuring live Irish music all day, as well as Irish dancers and buskers throughout the park. Tents and booths include a children’s activity tent, lectures and workshops on Irish culture and history, a genealogy tent, vendors, food, a bake sale and more.

Alaska Greek Festival: Anchorage, Aug. 16-18

The Alaska Greek Festival delivers some of the state’s most delicious Greek food — including homemade gyros, souvlaki and pastries — for just one weekend every year. The festival also includes a bookstore with imported Mediterranean and Orthodox items, plus dancing and live music from a Greek folk band.

Alaska State Fair: Palmer, Aug. 16-Sept. 2

The Alaska State Fair is an annual tradition featuring concerts, rides, games, vendors and food. Featured artists include Ludacris, Whiskey Myers, Wynonna Judd, Straight No Chaser and more. Fairgoers can also check out contests and exhibits in art, photography, crafts, crops, flowers and livestock. Tickets available now.

Fungus Fair: Girdwood, Aug. 31-Sept. 1

The annual Girdwood Fungus Fair will be back this year with opportunities for education and appreciation of Alaska’s fungi and forests. More information will be available in July.

Sacred Acre: Ninilchik, Sept. 6-8

In its third year, this electronic music festival will feature headliners Peekaboo and The Glitch Mob. The festival also an environmental focus with a goal of limiting bottom trawling. Various ticketing options are available, including VIP with special add-ons.

Fungus Festival: Cordova, Sept. 13-15

Cordova’s 18th 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 will be available closer to the event.

Did we miss your favorite Alaskan fair or festival? Email the information to Entertainment and Sports Editor Chris Bieri at cbieri@adn.com, and we may add it to this list.