Events

What better way to celebrate Seward Harbor’s opening weekend than a festival that lets you express your inner mermaid (or merman)?

Springtime in Alaska heralds many things for Alaskans, most notably the return of migratory birds to the state. From April 26-28, flock to Wrangell for the annual Stikine River Birding Festival.

On May 31, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association will host a one-day conference filled with discussions around Alaska’s oil and gas industry. This year’s theme, “The Great Debate”, will be evident throughout the day’s agenda, with timely and engaging debates on several hot topics, including an energizing debate among candidates running for governor.

Ready, set, spring! The ground has begun to thaw, and we’re pumped to dust off our kicks and stretch out our winter legs with these spring footraces:

The mountain town of Talkeetna holds the allure of picturesque Denali views, cozy cabins and some of the best food in the state at spots like Talkeetna Roadhouse and Mountain High Pizza Pie. This makes Talkeetna an ideal weekend getaway.

As an Alaska-grown bank, Northrim knows what it’s like to start small and grow into a statewide institution. That’s why it’s proud to support the Iditarod—an Alaskan-grown race—as a Lead Dog Partner.

This Alaska tradition has been going strong for over 100 years. The Nenana Ice Classic draws participants from around the world who submit guesses for the exact time the Tanana River will break up enough to knock over the tripod. When it falls, the clock stops, and it’s a sure sign that winter is over and spring has arrived!

Days are getting longer as spring and summer get closer. Around Alaska people are looking to get outside and enjoy what’s left of winter. In Valdez, that means attending Frosty Fever, put on by KVAK Radio 93.3 FM & 1230 AM.

During the winter most people stay inside, bundle up and wait for spring. Not Alaskans! Instead, these hearty souls head outdoors for the Fur Rendezvous winter carnival. One of the premier events is the sprint races, where sled dog teams charge down a 25-mile race course in downtown Anchorage.

https://youtu.be/If7eaDMXDnE

When the north is frozen and summer feels like a distant memory, it is time for the annual 40 Below Ball. For the fifth year in a row, the Ballroom Dance Club of Fairbanks is putting on this event on January 27 in the Westmark Gold Room.

Ketchikan is known for summer fun, but there is plenty going on during the holidays as well!

It’s hard to get more festive than an entire village dedicated exclusively to Christmas. Through Dec. 24, Camp Gorsuch in Chugiak is transformed into Christmas Towne, a holiday destination for people of all ages.

The holidays are fun, but they can get expensive. Keep a smile on your face and your money in your wallet with free activities around the state:

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention is the largest annual U.S. gathering of Native people, and the 2017 annual convention, coming up Oct. 19-21 in Anchorage, promises to be another banner year.

Anchorage Valley Therapy Radiation Center and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center bring Breast Cancer Awareness Month to life with Breastival 2017, a free breast cancer awareness and survivor celebration event.

Recovery Month is a time to highlight recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. It’s a time for honoring the warriors among us who have faced the hardships of alcohol abuse and lived to tell the tale. It’s for sharing victories.

Two weekends of oompah bands, beer-filled steins and schnitzel mean one thing. It’s Oktoberfest at Alyeska Resort!

Families in Fairbanks looking for an informative and engaging afternoon need look no further than the University of Alaska Museum of the North’s upcoming Family Day featuring Alaska’s bears. On Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 4 p.m., visitors can learn all about the different bears in the Last Frontier, including black, brown and polar bears.