Alaska is known for its quirky festivals and celebrations. The creativity of the locals seems to bloom during the long winter months. I have discovered some events that range from unusual to downright odd. Today, I will be sharing some of my favorite quirky festivals and celebrations in Alaska. This way you can decide which ones you want to attend during your family vacation in Alaska.

Quirky Festivals and Celebrations in Alaska to Attend During Your Family Vacation

The Cordova Ice Worm Festival

The Cordova Ice Worm Festival has been in Alaska since 1961.  A couple of the locals were looking for a way to break up the long winter months. So, they came up with the Ice Worm Festival. The most popular event is the Miss Ice Worm pageant. However, you will also get a few laughs at the beard contest and paper airplane competition. Attending this festival in Alaska is an excellent way to make a few fun memories with your family.

Fur Rendezvous

The Fur Rendezvous has been in Anchorage since 1935. The locals call this celebration the Fur Rondy. There are quite a few events held at this festival in Alaska. You may want to begin with the Rondy Costume crawl before heading over to the snow sculpture championship or the Fur Rondy Pin Swap. Other events include the Frostbite Footrace and the Rondy Carnival. You definitely won’t want to miss the Rondy Fireworks at the end of the ten days of fun.

Check out these other winter events held around the world. 

Tripod Days – A Unique Festival and Celebration in Alaska

Over in Nenana, you will want to be around for Tripod Days. This quirky festival and celebration in Alaska has been in Nenana since 1906. No one ever knows for sure when the exact Tripod Days will be each year, so this is an Alaskan event that is difficult to plan ahead for.

A tripod is placed on the ice of the Tanana River. People then start to place bets on when the ice will begin to break up for the year. The ice normally doesn’t begin to break until the middle of April, but it could be later many years.

There is a line attached to the tripod and the nearby Ice Classic Tower. There is an actual clock inside the tower that will stop once the tripod moves the designated one hundred feet.

Chatanika Days

Chatanika Days are in Fairbanks every winter. Multiple events take place during Chatanika Days. But the highlight is definitely the outhouse racing. Pulling an outhouse is an amazing way to have a few laughs with your family!

Wilderness Women Contest & Bachelor Auction & Ball – One of the Best Quirky Festivals and Celebrations in Alaska

The Wilderness Women Contest & Bachelor Auction & Ball is in Talkeetna. The Wilderness Women Contest is for all women age twenty-one and over. Those who enter the contest must have true Alaskan grit to win!

Talkeetna bachelors are auctioned off to the highest bidder at the Bachelor Auction and Ball. The Bachelor Ball begins right after the auction ends.

World Ice Carving Championship

The World Ice Carving Championship is in Fairbanks. This is the most intense ice carving event in the world. This competition is at the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds. The event begins in the middle of February and continues until the middle of March. If the weather cooperates, the ice sculptures stay in place until the end of March.

Three ice carving events are part of this championship. They include the Multi-Block Classic, Double-Block Classic, and Single-Block Classic. There is an award ceremony after each one. You may also enjoy the Military Appreciation Day, Youth Classic, Kid’s Day, and UAF Day.

This is one festival and celebration in Alaska your family won’t want to miss. I recommend planning your Alaskan vacation carefully, so you can attend the World Ice Carving Championship.

Check out how you can experience the beauty of ice festivals as a family. 

Chickenstock – One of the Quirkiest Festivals and Celebrations in Alaska

Chickenstock is a strange festival in Alaska that happens in the very small town of Chicken. This festival is on a weekend during the month of June. Hundreds of people arrive for this world music festival. While the bluegrass and folk music may seem normal, it is the people that make this event strange. Everyone is encouraged to dress up as chickens. And of course, the chicken dance is a must.

There are years when this festival gets even stranger too. During those years, a plane flies above and drops marshmallow Peeps down to the people dressed as chickens.

These are seven of the quirky festivals and celebrations in Alaska. I have to say, they are definitely unique and classic Alaska! I know I would love to attend at least one of them, but what about you??

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