Alaska is a place where traditions are woven into the fabric of communities and the individuals who call them home. They run as deep as our rivers and stand as steady as our mountains. Visitors to our state often arrive hoping for wildlife sightings or glacier views, and with good reason! They’re truly breathtaking. But the customs that have shaped the way of life here for centuries offer a true window into the Alaskan soul and spirit.
From lively festivals in Anchorage to quiet seasonal rituals in small communities, these practices reveal how Alaskans connect with their history, their lands, and each other. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most unique traditions in Alaska, from world-famous races to centuries-old arts and everyday habits that keep communities strong.
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Unique Festivals and Cultural Events in Alaska
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
If there’s one event that captures the grit and spirit of Alaskans, it’s the Iditarod. We’ve written a whole Guide to Fur Rondy and the Iditarod in Anchorage, Alaska, so we’ll only briefly introduce it here. But be sure to check it out when you have finished this blog for a more detailed overview. And if you’re wondering what the Fur Rondy is, you’ll find out in the next section!
Every March, teams of mushers and sled dogs gather in downtown Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, a legendary race across our state. Crowds line snowy 4th Avenue to cheer as dog teams burst forward, beginning a 1,000-mile journey to Nome.
Joe Redington, Sr., often regarded as the “Father of the Iditarod”, started the race as a way to preserve Alaska’s sled dog culture at a time when the movement toward snowmachines started to erode that part of our heritage. By establishing the race, the Iditarod could also be designated as a National Historic Trail, cementing its legacy as a unique tradition in Alaska.
The race also echoes a famous chapter in Alaskan history: the 1925 serum run to Nome. Known as the Great Race of Mercy, dog teams raced across challenging terrain to deliver lifesaving diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town.
Fur Rondy (AKA, the Fur Rendezvous)
Held in late February, just before the Iditarod starts, the Fur Rendezvous Festival is Anchorage’s way of embracing, and hopefully saying goodbye to, winter. Originally started as a three-day event in 1935, this ever-evolving festival is now a 12-day extravaganza designed to have fun and lift spirits at the back end of another long, hard winter. The first festival, as the name suggests, coincided with the arrival of miners and trappers in Anchorage, along with the fur pelts and other fruits of hard labor that they were looking to sell.
During the celebrations, the city fills with carnival rides, quirky contests, and cultural displays. There are snowshoe softball games, blanket toss competitions, running with reindeer and even outhouse races down city streets. Today, Fur Rondy now blends heritage with a sense of humor only Alaskans could pull off.
Remember to read our Guide to Fur Rondy and the Iditarod in Anchorage, to find out more about both of these quintessentially Alaskan traditions.
Nenana Ice Classic
Few spring traditions are as beloved as the Nenana Ice Classic in Alaska. Since 1917, locals have bet on the exact moment the ice on the Tanana River will break. A wooden tripod is frozen into the river; when it tips and moves downstream, the clock stops, and the winner collects a hefty prize. What started as a railroad camp pastime now funds community projects and marks the turn of the seasons for people across the state.
Arctic Man
Up in Alaska’s Interior, thousands gather each April for Arctic Man, a mash-up of ski racing and snowmachine power. Two-person teams compete against each other. One member of the team is a skier, the other drives a snowmahcine. The skier starts up a mountain at an elevation of 5,800ft, before plummeting 1,700ft over a distance of less than two miles. This descent takes them to the bottom of a narrow canyon, where their snowmachine-driving partner is waiting.
Meeting on the go, the skier grabs a tow rope attached to the snowmachine, which then pulls them for 2.25 miles up another mountain at speeds of around 85mph. The snowmobile and skier then separate again, with the latter going over the side of the second mountain, dropping 1,200ft to the finish line.
If this sounds exhilarating, that’s because it’s an adrenaline rush like no other! Around it all, a pop-up village of campers and tailgates springs to life, usually with a population of around 12,000 people, proving that Alaskans don’t just endure the cold, they celebrate it.
Are you wondering if a winter trip is right for you? Read our blog Is it a Good Choice to Visit Alaska in Winter? and learn more about what you can expect.
Unique Art and Craft Traditions in Alaska
Alaska’s art scene is as diverse as its landscapes, with traditions that tie creativity to survival and storytelling. Many pieces you’ll find in galleries or markets aren’t just decorations; they’re part of Alaska’s cultural traditions passed down for generations.
Weaving and Basketry
Alaska basket weaving has deep roots in Indigenous communities. The Unangax̂, Sugpiaq, and Yup’ik peoples have a tradition of weaving small baskets that are functional yet beautiful. Typically made of rye grass, these items are used to hold food or even water. The Unangax̂ and Sugpiaq weavers’ skills also extend to wearable objects. Spruce root hats are just one example, items that aren’t just functional, but a reflection of status.
Athabascan and Yup’ik basket weaving techniques allow for the creation of larger baskets, usually made out of birch bark or willow or spruce root. In the Inside Passage, the Tlingit people are renowned for a special technique that allows weavers to produce perfect circles. The unique Chilkat robes and blankets, consisting of mountain goat wool and cedar bark, are part of the traditional regalia worn at ceremonial gatherings like potlatches.
Beadwork
Delicate beadwork is another integral part of unique Alaskan tradition. Many of our state’s cultural groups use intricate beadwork in fine arts, jewelry making, and to decorate regalia. In Southcentral and Interior Alaska, Athabascan artists have been renowned for centuries for their beautiful beaded clothing and moccasins, jewelry, belts, and other decorative objects.
Glass beads were only used after the first European contact. Before this, seeds, shells, carved wooden beads, and porcupine quills were traditionally used.
Carving
Carving in Alaska ranges from soapstone and ivory figures to large wooden masks and totems. Many depict wildlife — bears, seals, ravens — scenes from hunting and fishing life, as well as places and spirits. To appreciate carving here is to see how artists shape the materials of their homeland into objects that speak of resilience and respect for nature.
Carved masks are an integral part of Alaska Native cultural ceremonies, and they are crafted from either wood or bone. The finished products are decorated with shells, feathers, or other natural materials, and they represent people, birds, fish, or other animals.
To learn more about Alaska Native cultures, we recommend visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center during your stay, an activity which we also included in our picks for experiences unique to Anchorage, Alaska.
Unique Lifestyle Traditions in Alaska
Beyond festivals and art, daily life in Alaska has its own rhythms shaped by climate and resourcefulness. Just two examples include:
Filling the Freezer
“Filling the freezer” isn’t just a phrase; it reflects our culture’s close ties to self-sufficiency and living off the land. Luckily, it’s easy to understand! If you hadn’t already guessed, “filling the freezer” refers to the process of stocking up your household freezer(s) with wild-caught food like salmon, moose, and other game, as well as foraged berries, preserving natural and organic food for the long winter months.
Filling the freezer is a yearly ritual that demonstrates the primitive urgency and concern of always having enough food to survive. Even today, in an age of easy access to online ordering and grocery stores, this tradition continues.
Outdoor Christmas Trees
Come the holiday season, keep an eye out for decorated trees outside people’s homes. Our state has a huge supply of spruce, fir, and pine trees. And because we have so many, it’s common for people to have one or more on their property. To enhance the holiday spirit and brighten the darker winter days, most Alaskans will string lights around these exterior trees as well as the one they have inside. This means many of us have two or more Christmas trees every year!
These Alaska lifestyle traditions reflect a playful spirit: even in deep winter, there’s room for creativity and cheer.
Will your visit to The Great Land be a family affair in the holiday season? If you’re looking for for local tips and insights to help bring everything together, don’t miss our Guide to Planning an Alaskan Family Vacation!
Discover Our City with Guided Anchorage Tours
Part of the magic of exploring Alaska comes from discovering the customs that knit people together in a vast, challenging place. From betting on river ice to carving stories into wood, these traditions invite you to see our state through the eyes of those who call it home.
If you’re planning a trip to Anchorage, let us show you how these traditions connect with everyday life here. Our Anchorage guided tours dive into the foods, stories, and celebrations that make Alaska unforgettable.
Do you have any pre-booking questions for the Alaskan Sights & Bites team? Please don’t hesitate to contact us!
