On the Fourth of July, all of Anchorage and its neighboring areas turn red, white, and blue. Some festivities begin as early as July 1st and continue through Independence Day. The midnight sun makes local celebrations an exceptionally beautiful experience. Downtown Anchorage, Eagle River, Girdwood, and Seward offer a plethora of entertainment options for your 4th of July weekend.
4th of July Parade and Festival at Delaney Park (July 4, 2024)
The central celebration takes place at Delaney Park, Downtown Anchorage. The merriments start with the iconic pancake breakfast at 9 am and continue with a patriotic parade at 11 am with a route from Ninth Avenue and G Street and along the Delaney Park Strip. Afterward, from noon to 6 pm, you can enjoy live entertainment, children's rides, and local delicacies, such as grilled reindeer, fresh seafood, and local brews.
Eagle River Third of July (July 3, 2024)
If you can't wait till the Fourth, you might be happy to discover the Independence Day Early in Eagle River. This event runs on July 3, from 6 pm through midnight, and boasts everything a typical celebration can have: music, food, kids' entertainment, and fireworks. The festival is sponsored by the Eagle River Alaska Lions Club and runs at their community park, 16 miles (26 km) northeast of Anchorage.
Girdwood Forest Fair (July 5-7, 2024)
Another great tradition to check out is the Girdwood Forest Fair, taking place over the first weekend in July and offers lots of fun with no admission fee. The fun-packed program features a community parade, live music on three stages, a beer garden, and dozens of vendors, selling hand-crafted souvenirs and exotic Alaskan treats. The venue is located at the Forest Fairgrounds in Girdwood, 36 miles (58 km) southeast of Anchorage. Organizers set up four stages for music performances on the festival's grounds.
The vendor booths at the fair will be open from 11 am until 8 pm on July 5th and 6th, and from 11 am to 6 pm on July 7th. The annual celebratory parade will begin at 10 am on the Alyeska Highway, marching toward the Forest Fair Park.
Mount Marathon in Seward (July 4, 2024)
If you feel like challenging yourself, consider participating in one of the world's toughest runs. Seward's Mount Marathon Race runs annually on July 4th and is a perfect option if you want to make unique and life-long memories of this glorious holiday. The course is 3.1 miles (5 km), rising to 2,974 feet (906 m) above the sea. Note that the car drive from Anchorage to Seward takes about 2.5 hours, so plan ahead.
The race sets off from Downtown Seward, at 4th Avenue & Adams Street. The starting times for men and women alternate annually. This year, the men's starting time will be at 11 am, while women will start their race at 2 pm. Youngsters over 9 years old can participate in the junior race, which will begin at 9 am. Admission costs $85 for adults and $35 for children.
