Alaskan’s love to celebrate under the midnight sun and the 4th of July is perfect for celebrating… with fireworks! In Alaska, we celebrate with festivals, live music, delicious food, and fireworks displays for you to enjoy. Fireworks are harder to see in the bright summer nights, and the wildfire danger keeps but nothing could stop us from celebrating with explosions.
In 2016, we told you all about many of the fantastic places to see fireworks in Alaska. As the Fourth approaches, you might be asking, “where can I find fireworks near me this year?” Alaskans love to celebrate, so no matter what village, tiny roadside town or neighbourhood you find yourself in, there is sure to be something going on for the 4th, most often barbecues, parades, and games. Here are some of the excellent shows that should not be missed:
- Girdwood Forest Fair
Brooke Binkowski | Flickr
Brooke Binkowski | Flickr The annual Girdwood Forest Fair is held every year over Fourth of July weekend in the beautiful ski town in the mountains. When permitted in the area, there is a display on Saturday night of the Festival, this year July 8.
- Downtown Juneau
Joseph | Flickr
Kathy Neufeld | Flickr In Juneau, fireworks are permitted. The display is shot over the Gastineau Channel and you can see well from the downtown area.
- Downtown Kodiak
Damian Manda | Flickr
Damian Manda | Flickr Kodiak celebrates with an old fashioned parade, backyard barbeques, and camping. The many cultures of Kodiak are highlighted with colorful and lively parade floats. Kodiak offers a big Fourth celebration in the central Downtown area on July 4, 2017. Kodiak is far enough south to actually get velvety dark nights that are perfect for fireworks. Fireworks haven’t been regularly displayed since 2010, but when weather permits there is a show.
- Seward
Pretty Kate Machine | Flickr
Dan Logan | Flickr Seward is definitely the hot spot for the Kenai Peninsula for the 4th. the town swells from 5000 to 40,000 for the weekend. The Mount Marathon race, games and other fun things happen all day before the fireworks over the water at night.
- Sitka
Richard Ricciardi | Flickr
U.S. Pacific Command | Flickr The Coast Guard, a major component of the town, shows up in force at the Fourth of July Parade. Fireworks are over the water from downtown on July 4 when rain and winds permit. They look amazing from the water with the glittering harbor of Sitka in the background.
Fireworks are tricky in Alaska in July. In the rainier southern parts of the state, fireworks shows are often rained out and in the sunnier parts, wildfire danger keeps fireworks on a tight leash. Check with your local fire department to find out the fire danger level before even making a campfire. Fireworks are illegal to set off in all but a few areas of the state, so make sure of the current local status before lighting anything.
Brooke Binkowski | Flickr
The annual Girdwood Forest Fair is held every year over Fourth of July weekend in the beautiful ski town in the mountains. When permitted in the area, there is a display on Saturday night of the Festival, this year July 8.
Joseph | Flickr
Kathy Neufeld | Flickr
In Juneau, fireworks are permitted. The display is shot over the Gastineau Channel and you can see well from the downtown area.
Damian Manda | Flickr
Kodiak celebrates with an old fashioned parade, backyard barbeques, and camping. The many cultures of Kodiak are highlighted with colorful and lively parade floats. Kodiak offers a big Fourth celebration in the central Downtown area on July 4, 2017. Kodiak is far enough south to actually get velvety dark nights that are perfect for fireworks. Fireworks haven’t been regularly displayed since 2010, but when weather permits there is a show.
Pretty Kate Machine | Flickr
Dan Logan | Flickr
Seward is definitely the hot spot for the Kenai Peninsula for the 4th. the town swells from 5000 to 40,000 for the weekend. The Mount Marathon race, games and other fun things happen all day before the fireworks over the water at night.
Richard Ricciardi | Flickr
U.S. Pacific Command | Flickr
The Coast Guard, a major component of the town, shows up in force at the Fourth of July Parade. Fireworks are over the water from downtown on July 4 when rain and winds permit. They look amazing from the water with the glittering harbor of Sitka in the background.
Fireworks are less common as you go father north as the midnight sun lights up the night skies and fire danger increases. In the Interior and the far north, communities usually save their fireworks for New Year’s Eve when conditions are much more favorable with dark nights starting early and snow to protect from fires. But every so often, the conditions are perfect for an amazing fireworks display.
Here is a list of some of the fun celebrations around the state:
Southeast Fireworks
In these rainy areas, fireworks displays are fairly safe, unless they are rained out
- Juneau, July 3, 11:59 PM, Downtown Juneau, Gastineau Channel
- Ketchikan, July 4, 11:59 PM, Downtown Ketchikan, Over the water
- Sitka, July 4, 10 PM, Downtown Sitka, Over the water
Valdez-Cordova Celebrations
- Cordova, July 4, Day time Parade and events starting at 10 am No Fireworks
- McCarthy, July 4, 11:59 PM, McCarthy Campground, Fireworks when permitted
- Valdez, July 4, Downtown Valdez, Picnic, Parade, Bonfire & S’more Roast No Fireworks
Matanuska-Susitna Fireworks
- Eagle River Fireworks, July 3, 11:59 PM Eagle River Lion’s Club Park when permitted
- Talkeetna, July 4, 11:59 PM, Downtown Talkeetna, when permitted
- Wasilla, July 4, 11:59 PM, Wonderland Park at Lucille Street, when permitted
Anchorage Fireworks
- Mulcahy Stadium, July 4, Approx. 11:59 PM after the annual Alaska Baseball League doubleheader, when permitted
Kenai Peninsula Fireworks
Since serious wildfires have plagued Alaska the last few years, fireworks are banned on the Peninsula currently. Cities will have displays if weather conditions permit, but the parades and celebrations will go on rain or shine.
- Girdwood, July 4, 11:59 PM, Girdwood Community Park, Mile 2.2 on the Alyeska Highway
- Homer, July 4, Noon for Parade and barbecue, when permitted
- Seldovia, July 4, Noon, Parade, picnics, three-legged and sack races, when permitted
- Seward, July 3, 11:59 PM, Over the harbor. Get a great view from the hills or out on the water in a boat!
- Soldotna, July 4, 11 AM-1 PM, Soldotna Community Center. Picnic, when permitted
Western Alaska Celebrations No fireworks
There is currently a full burn ban for Western Alaska
- Bethel, July 4, downtown Bethel, Picnic and games, vendors and parade at Noon
In the North of Alaska in addition to the everpresent wildfire danger, it’s light all night on the 4th of July. Most communities wait until the darkness returns in the winter to set off fireworks. That doesn’t stop these fantastic celebrations:
Interior Celebrations No fireworks
- Fairbanks, July 4, All Day, Pioneer Park, Festivities and Games
- Ester, July 4, Noon, Main Street, Parade to Picnic in Ester Park
- Healy (Denali), July 4, Noon, Downtown, Parade
Far North Celebrations No fireworks
- Kotzebue, July 4, 10 am-7:30, First Baptist Church. Parade, games and Blanket Toss.
- Nome, July 4, All day starting at noon, Fire trucks, old time cars, floats, and candy!
- Utqiagvik (Barrow), July 4, All Day, Simmonds Field. Top of the World Games!
Where will you be celebrating your Fourth of July this year? Are there any other fireworks displays in Alaska that you could add to this list?
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