No matter when you visit Juneau, you’re sure to find lively events and activities to enjoy during your stay. To make it simple we’ve put together a listing of the leading activities and events during each season of the year. Start planning your travel to Juneau today and get excited for these seasonal delights that make Juneau attractive at these times of year.
Juneau Spring Activities
Slowly, the crowds will return to Juneau throughout the spring months. Tourist season begins in late spring around May when cruise ships begin arriving again.
See a show at Preservation Theatre or Juneau Ghost Light Theatre: the theatre schedule matches that of theatres in other locations where they break for the summer. So if you come during the off-season, this a great activity to enjoy.
Alaska Folk Festival: join in the fun April 8-14. The 49th annual festival promises to be an entertaining week of performances.
Juneau Maritime Festival: celebrate the area’s rich maritime culture and gather downtown for fun at the Peratrovich Plaza on May 4, 2024.
Juneau Jazz & Classics Music Festival: visit Juneau May 4-18 for the festival that will bring musical experiences and education. Mingle with professional musicians or take part in workshops.
Juneau Travel Fair: meet with many excursion companies in one location. Generally, this event is tailored toward locals who might not take part in these activities regularly, but tourists can certainly benefit as well. No 2024 date is set yet but it often takes place in April.
Juneau Summer Activities
The busiest time of year in Juneau is the summer. Tourist season stretches from May to October, meaning summer is fully consumed with tourist season. Cruise docks will be busy with ships coming and going throughout the day all week long.
While it’s busy this time of year, it’s also an ideal time to visit since attractions and excursions are open and have convenient options to help you accomplish what you want to do.
Some key summer activities you won’t want to miss include:
Celebration: this event takes place every other year and is one of the largest gatherings of Alaska Native peoples including Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. Take part in song and regalia. This year’s events will take place June 5-8, 2024.
Juneau Gold Rush Days: this weekend of fun celebrates Juneau’s heritage as a gold rush city. You can compete in events like logging, mining or mucking. And the great part is, you don’t need any prior experience to join in the fun. Or, just come and be a spectator June 22-23, 2024, at Savikko Park on Douglas Island.
Fourth of July celebration: every city has celebrations for Independence Day and Juneau is no exception. Enjoy a parade through downtown. Each year the Juneau Festival Association selects a theme for the celebration. Watch for announcements about 2024’s theme to get a feel for what to expect for the holiday.
Golden North Salmon Derby: August 9-11 at Auke Bay is the annual fishing event dating back to 1947. Whether you know how to fish or prefer to watch others fish, you’ll enjoy taking part in the event.
Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon: formerly named Frank Maier Marathon and Douglas Island Half Marathon, this event takes place in late July each year. It’s a unique way to see Alaska on foot.
Come October, things start to slow down in Juneau from the busy tourist season. But that doesn’t mean it is a boring place to be.
Take a look at these fun Juneau fall activities.
See a show at Preservation Theatre or Juneau Ghost Light Theatre: the season starts up in the fall with a new lineup of shows for the year. Enjoy performances from locals ready to dazzle you with their skills.
Juneau Public Market: this even Juneau’s premier holiday gift show and takes place on Thanksgiving weekend each year. You’ll see vendors local to Juneau as well as visiting vendors. It’s a great place to go for unique gift ideas or local art for the holiday season. This year’s market will be Nov. 29-Dec. 1.
Capital Brewfest: the date for 2024 isn’t solidified yet but it generally takes place in September. The Rotary Club of Juneau puts on this event. It is only available for guests ages 21 and older.
Take in the fall scenery: fall is beautiful in many parts of the country. And because Juneau is an outdoor experience, you’ll capture some amazing photos of the changing colors. Snap some memorable images or take a guided photography tour to learn how to capture the perfect image.
Whale watch: you’ll want to layer up for a whale-watching tour this time of year because it will be very chilly on the water. But you’ll get to see the annual humpback whale migration as they prepare to head to warmer waters.
Juneau Winter Activities
By far the quietest time in Juneau is winter. During the winter months though, you can enjoy Juneau’s snowy fun.
Eagle Crest Ski Resort: enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other snow fun during the winter months. You won’t have to fight crowds at local restaurants or worry about avoiding downtown when the cruise ships first dock. It’s a great time to experience winter wonders at the 640-acre ski resort complete with trails, a terrain park, incredible views and extensive backcountry.
Ice Skating: enjoy skating on the ponds or rinks for a genuine winter experience.
Ice fishing: head to a pond and take part in ice fishing.
Snow biking: yes, you read that correctly. You can bike in the snow and have a blast doing so.
Ice climbing: it’s like mountain climbing but on icy glaciers.
Hiking: yes, you can hike all year long in Juneau. But in the winter, you’ll be welcomed to unique sights as the wilderness quiets for winter slumber. Animals are less active, trees shed their leaves to sleep and trails often have an attractive snow covering. Come prepared for cold temps.
Winter Fireworks Spectacular: the event has passed for 2024 but get ready for February 2025 when this event returns. Enjoy a roaring bonfire, torchlight parade and fireworks at Eagle Crest Ski Area.
Gallery Walk: to celebrate the holidays, the streets of downtown come to life with live music and a holiday trolley. This takes place during the weeks leading up to the holidays each year.
Cozy Up in a Hotel that Feels Like Home
No matter the season you travel to Juneau, you’ll enjoy all the comforts of home at Juneau Hotel in downtown. With a full kitchen and washer and dryer in every suite, it’s a great place to experience Juneau. Book your travel now for any season of 2024 and allow our team of locals to welcome you, get you situated, and ensure you have a great experience in our beautiful city and outdoor playground.
