How to Celebrate Summer Solstice in Alaska
Summer solstice is celebrated the third week in June all across Alaska by each town and city. Each city has its own unique traditions for celebrating the longest day of the year. The solstice in Alaska is especially thrilling since the sun never fully sets during this time of year. Festival celebrations range from charity events to family-friendly carnivals.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Support Charities in Archorage
-
1
Support abused women and celebrate the summer solstice in Alaska by attending the Abused Women Aid in Crisis Summer Solstice festival in Anchorage. This annual event is Anchorage's main festival.
-
2
Listen to live music as you browse the many shops that offer Alaskan arts and crafts. A portion of the proceeds go to the AWAIC charity.
-
-
3
Bring your children along to this family-style festival. In celebration of the summer solstice, there will be rides and petting zoos for children all day long.
Enjoy a Music Festival in Seldovia
-
4
Travel down to the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage to celebrate summer solstice at the Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival.
-
5
Sign up for a workshop. Poetry and music workshops are offered throughout the 2-day festival.
-
6
Join the festival organizers in watching a bonfire at the close of the festival.
Spend a Week at the Fairbanks Festivities
-
7
Watch the Fairbanks semiprofessional baseball team play in the annual Midnight Sun Baseball Game. This game has been played since the gold rush days in Alaska as part of the celebration of continual daylight during the summer solstice.
-
8
Participate in the Midnight Sun Run, a 10K run that begins around 10 p.m., when the sun is still shining brightly on the Alaskan summer solstice.
-
9
Celebrate the longest day of the year by playing in any of the Fairbanks golf games held on midsummer's eve. Separate competitions in chipping, putting and long driving are held.
-
10
Feast until the early morning to celebrate the solstice at the Fairbanks Golf and Country Club.
-
11
Travel to Murphy Dome, 25 miles outside of Fairbanks to watch the famous midnight sunset.
-
12
Join other Fairbanks residents and their families as they celebrate solstice at a fair featuring children's rides, food and live music at the Midnight Sun Street Fair. Admission to the event is free.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Even though it is Alaska, temperatures in places like Fairbanks reach the upper 80s during solstice, so dress accordingly.
To see the true midnight sun, where the sun hits the horizon, but never drops below it, go to Eagle Summit, just north of Fairbanks.
