Annual Events in Anchorage: A Month-by-Month Calendar

The headline annual events in Anchorage, Alaska, are Fur Rendezvous in late February, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start downtown in early March, the Downtown Summer Solstice Festival in June, and the Girdwood Forest Fair and Bear Paw Festival in July. Around them sit a dozen smaller traditions, from a folk festival in January to a polar plunge in December. Here is the calendar month by month, with the usual timing and the official site for each one.

Anchorage doesn't slow down for the dark months. It throws its biggest party in February and lines up sled dogs on a downtown street in March.

Every date below is the usual month, not a fixed date. Organizers set exact dates each year, so check the official site before you book flights. For what's on right now, see our Anchorage events calendar and things to do this weekend.

How we chose

Every event on this list recurs every year, takes place within the Municipality of Anchorage, and has an official site showing a recent or upcoming edition. We checked each one in November 2026. Months where we couldn't verify a recurring event on its own official site (May, August and September) are left out rather than padded.

The Municipality of Anchorage covers Eagle River and Girdwood, so events there count as Anchorage events even though they are a drive from downtown.

January

January in Anchorage brings a volunteer-run folk festival, and most of it is free.

Anchorage Folk Festival

Where: Wendy Williamson Auditorium at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), plus venues around town.

What to do: The Anchorage Folk Festival runs over two weekends in late January. The evening concerts and weekend daytime workshops are free, and a few ticketed dances and concerts raise money for the festival.

Why go: Volunteers have run it since 1990. It's a warm, crowded room full of local musicians at the darkest, coldest point of the year. Take an instrument to a workshop even if you only half know how to play it.

February

February belongs to Fur Rendezvous, the winter festival Anchorage has held since 1935.

Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy)

Where: Across Anchorage, centred on Downtown. Recent editions have put snow sculptures at Ship Creek and the Grand Parade on 5th Avenue.

What to do: Fur Rendezvous usually runs from the last week of February into the first weekend of March. It has sled dog races, the Alaska State Snow Sculpture Championship, a fur auction, fireworks and the Running of the Reindeer, where people run down a downtown street ahead of real reindeer.

Why go: It began in 1935 as a winter gathering for trappers and miners, and the organizers now list more than 50 events. People collect the annual Rondy pin, a tradition that goes back to 1939. Buy one early.

March

In early March, Anchorage hosts the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, the sled dog race to Nome.

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start

Where: Downtown Anchorage, in what Visit Anchorage calls the downtown Mushing District.

What to do: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race usually starts with a ceremonial run through Anchorage on the first Saturday of March. Teams leave one at a time to cheering crowds. Find a spot along the route early and bring hand warmers.

Why go: According to the Iditarod, more than 1,000 dogs leave Anchorage, with about 14 to a team. They're headed for Nome on a trail of about 1,000 miles. The first race to Nome started on March 3, 1973. Of all the annual events in Anchorage, this is the one with the dogs right in front of you.

See Downtown & South Addition for where to eat and warm up nearby.

April

April ends the ski season in Girdwood with costumes and a pond of freezing slush.

Alyeska Resort Spring Carnival and Slush Cup

Where: Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, inside the Municipality of Anchorage.

What to do: The Spring Carnival at Alyeska Resort is usually held on a weekend in late April. Its main event is the Slush Cup, where skiers and snowboarders in costume try to make it across a pond of icy meltwater, and most of them don't.

Why go: The resort has held it for close to five decades, and it's the city's cheerful way of saying goodbye to winter. Watch from the edge of the pond if you'd rather stay dry. See our Girdwood guide for the rest of the valley.

June

June has two big events, both timed to the solstice, when Anchorage gets its longest days.

Downtown Summer Solstice Festival

Where: Downtown Anchorage, around Fourth Avenue.

What to do: The Anchorage Downtown Partnership runs the Downtown Summer Solstice Festival on a Saturday near the June solstice. Bands, a DJ and dance performances play across several stages, including a culture and community stage with dancers, storytelling and local bands.

Why go: The partnership calls it its largest event of the year. Stay out late: in June the sun barely sets.

Anchorage Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon

Where: Across Anchorage. UAA Athletics and the Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department host it together.

What to do: The Anchorage Mayor's Marathon is held around the summer solstice each June. It includes a marathon, a half marathon, a shorter race called the Solstice Classic, a marathon relay and a Kids Mile.

Why go: It was founded in 1972 as the Midnight Sun Marathon. UAA reported that recent runners came from all 50 states and 15 countries. If you're not racing, cheering from the trail on a bright solstice morning is a good way to spend a Saturday.

July

July brings two big community fairs to Anchorage, one in Girdwood and one in Eagle River.

Girdwood Forest Fair

Where: Girdwood, at the community park area at Mile 2.2 of the Alyeska Highway. A shuttle runs from the Alyeska Resort Daylodge.

What to do: The Girdwood Forest Fair takes place over the Fourth of July weekend, with booths from Alaskan artists, food stalls, live music and a Saturday parade. Entry is free.

Why go: Volunteers have run it since the mid-1970s, and the proceeds go to local Girdwood groups. Its three house rules are no dogs, no politics and no religious orders, so leave your dog at home.

Bear Paw Festival

Where: Downtown Eagle River, around Town Square Park and the Transit Center.

What to do: The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce runs the Bear Paw Festival, usually over five days in early-to-mid July. It has a Grand Parade with classic cars and fire engines, a carnival with rides, live music and a beer and music festival.

Why go: It has run for more than 40 years and feels like a small-town fair inside a big city. Leashed dogs are allowed. See our Eagle River & Chugiak guide to plan a full day.

October

In October, Anchorage usually hosts the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention and Quyana Alaska, two nights of Alaska Native dance.

AFN Convention and Quyana Alaska

Where: Downtown Anchorage. Visit Anchorage lists the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center as the venue.

What to do: The Alaska Federation of Natives holds its annual convention each October, most years in Anchorage, though it has sometimes moved to Fairbanks, so confirm the host city on the AFN site. The public part to look for is Quyana Alaska, with performances by Alaska Native dance groups from across the state. Visit Anchorage also lists a Customary Art Fair alongside the convention.

Why go: Quyana means thank you in Yup'ik. The showcase was first held at the 1982 convention, and AFN says more than 200 dance groups have performed since. Quyana tickets have sold out, so buy them as soon as they go on sale.

November

In late November, Downtown Anchorage lights its holiday tree.

Holiday Tree Lighting

Where: Downtown Anchorage. The spot can shift, for example to 4th Avenue in front of Historic City Hall when Town Square Park is under construction, so check the official page for the year's location.

What to do: The Anchorage Downtown Partnership's Holiday Tree Lighting has free hot chocolate, photos with Santa, reindeer, community music groups and the Mayor switching on the lights. Visit Anchorage says it's usually held on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Why go: It's free and family-friendly, and the downtown shops are open right next to it.

December

In December, Anchorage has two very different events: ten days of films and a jump into a frozen lake.

Anchorage International Film Festival

Where: Several Anchorage venues, including Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Midtown and the Anchorage Museum downtown.

What to do: The Anchorage International Film Festival runs for about ten days in early December, with features, shorts, filmmaker Q&As and morning panels.

Why go: Its tagline is Films Worth Freezing For, and MovieMaker Magazine has named it one of the 25 coolest film festivals. It's a good way to spend the darkest weeks of the year. See Midtown for dinner near the Bear Tooth.

Special Olympics Alaska Polar Plunge

Where: Goose Lake, in Anchorage.

What to do: The Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Alaska's biggest fundraiser, typically held in mid-December. Plungers raise money beforehand, dress up and go into the cold water, and there's an ice-bucket option if you'd rather not get in the lake.

Why go: Costumes, a frozen beach party and a good cause make the cold worth it. Check the Anchorage weather before you pick a costume.

What does a year of Anchorage events look like?

Here is the whole year on one screen. Screenshot it and set calendar reminders a month ahead of each event:

• Late January: Anchorage Folk Festival, free concerts at UAA
• Late February into early March: Fur Rendezvous, so buy your Rondy pin early
• First Saturday of March: Iditarod ceremonial start, downtown
• Late April: Alyeska Spring Carnival and Slush Cup, Girdwood
• Around June 20: Downtown Summer Solstice Festival and the Mayor's Marathon
• Fourth of July weekend: Girdwood Forest Fair (no dogs)
• Early-to-mid July: Bear Paw Festival, Eagle River
• October: AFN Convention and Quyana Alaska, so buy tickets early
• Saturday after Thanksgiving: Holiday Tree Lighting, downtown
• Early December: Anchorage International Film Festival
• Mid-December: Polar Plunge at Goose Lake

When should you visit Anchorage for events?

For a classic Alaska winter trip, come from late February to early March. In a single trip you can catch Fur Rendezvous and the Iditarod ceremonial start, which usually run back to back. For long days and outdoor fairs, aim for late June through mid-July, when the Solstice Festival, Forest Fair and Bear Paw Festival come one after another. Book lodging early for both windows. See our lodging listings.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest annual event in Anchorage?

Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy) is Anchorage's signature winter festival, held since 1935, with more than 50 events from late February into early March. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start downtown in early March is the other headline event.

When is the Iditarod ceremonial start in Anchorage?

The Iditarod ceremonial start is usually held in downtown Anchorage on the first Saturday of March. Check iditarod.com for the exact date and start time each year.

When is Fur Rondy?

Fur Rendezvous usually runs from the last week of February into the first weekend of March across Anchorage. The official site, furrondy.net, posts each year's schedule.

What annual events happen in Anchorage in summer?

In June, Anchorage hosts the Downtown Summer Solstice Festival and the Mayor's Marathon, both timed to the solstice. In July come the Girdwood Forest Fair over the Fourth of July weekend and the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River.

Is the Girdwood Forest Fair free?

Yes, entry to the Girdwood Forest Fair is free, according to its official site. Dogs are not allowed, and a shuttle runs from the Alyeska Resort Daylodge.