FESTIVALS &
EVENTS
Community & Regional Events
SOMETHING IS USUALLY GOING ON.
Wrangell runs four festivals big enough to plan a trip around, and a steady run of smaller things in between — derbies, tournaments, markets, community events and the kind of gatherings that don't make it onto a poster.
If you're already here, ask around. If you're planning ahead, here's roughly how the year goes.
THE BIG FOUR
Each has its own page with dates, details and what to know before you go.
LATE APRIL
STIKINE RIVER
BIRDING FESTIVAL
SPRING
MILK RUN
MUSIC FEST
EARLY JULY
FOURTH OF JULY
LATE SUMMER
ALASKA BEARFEST
HOW THE YEAR GOES
Dates move a little every year. The rhythm doesn't.
SPRING
The birds arrive before the visitors do. Town starts waking up for the season.
Stikine River Birdfest — five days in late April
Milk Run Music Fest — a weekend of shows around town
Hooligan run on the Stikine, and the eagles that follow it
Community clean-up as the snow goes
SUMMER
Fourth of July — parade, Logging Show, boat races, fireworks
Fourth of July Royalty Competition — food booths around town through June
Anan Wildlife Observatory season — permits required, book early
Muskeg Meadows tournaments — summer schedule at the golf course
Alaska Bearfest — late summer
The busy stretch. Cruise ships, long days, and the Fourth taking over downtown for the better part of a week.
FALL
The fishing derbies wrap up the season, and the town gets quieter by the week.
Coho Derby — late August into September
Halibut Derby — runs alongside it
Mushroom season in the Tongass, in every shape imaginable
WINTER
Quiet, and not apologizing for it. This is when you get the place mostly to yourself.
Eagles start arriving in early February, waiting on the hooligan
Nolan Center — movies, performances and exhibits through the winter
Irene Ingle Public Library programs
RUNNING AN EVENT?
Tell us and we'll help get the word out.
Community organizations, nonprofits and local businesses can send us events to list here. Visitors plan around what they can find, so if it isn't listed, most of them won't know it's happening.
ALSO WORTH KNOWING
CRUISE SHIP CALENDAR
Which ships are in. Useful whether you’re planning around the crowds, or into them.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Shops, guides, restaurants and lodging. Check seasonal hours before you can count on anything
THE NOLAN CENTER
Museum, theater and civic center. Most indoor community events happen here.
RESPECTFUL TRAVEL
Just a few things worth knowing before you join a community event in someone else’s hometown.
PLAN AROUND IT.
Pick a season, then figure out how to get here and where to stay.