JANUARY

Russian Christmas and Starring, St. Michael’ s Cathedral Celebrate the Feast of the Nativity, or“ Russian Christmas,” with week-long festivities, including caroling, feasts, and sharing the holiday spirit. oca. org / parishes / oca-ak-sitsmk

FEBRUARY

Sitka Wearable Art Show Come watch locals share their wearable art on the runway, showcasing outfits made of everything from disco balls to fish bones. sitkaartscouncil. org

MARCH

Heritage & Cultural Tourism Conference This conference gathers professionals and business owners from across the state to discuss cultural tourism development. sitkatribalenterprises. com / index. php / heritage-culturaltourism-conference

APRIL

Herring Return Every spring, witness the abundant wildlife as herring gather to spawn in Sitka Sound, turning the blue waters a milky green. adfg. alaska. gov

M AY

Ocean Wave Quilters Guild Show See an array of stunning quilted creations, and vote for your favorites at the local Quilters Guild. facebook. com / groups / oceanwave

Sitka Salmon Derby Catch prize-winning fish in this angling competition on the sparkling waters of Sitka Sound. visitsitka. org / events / sitkasalmon-derby

JUNE

Summer Music Festival Enjoy Alaska’ s premier classical music festival, where the best musicians from around the world gather for four weeks of concerts in Sitka. sitkamusicfestival. org

Sitka Fine Arts Camp This creatively rich program develops artistic interests and skills within an intensive residential experience for all ages. fineartscamp. org

JULY

Fourth of July Celebration Join the celebration of our nation’ s birthday, featuring a parade, a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration, and the Sitka Fire Department versus Coast Guard water fight. The Sitka Chamber publishes a detailed calendar of events each year. sitkachamber. com

Alpine Adventure Run Ascend 2,500 feet within the first few miles, traverse a rockslide, and climb over hills and valleys in this seven-mile mountain run! visitsitka. org / events / alpine-adventure-run

AUGUST

Change Your Latitude, 57 ° North Open Water Challenge Still the northernmost open ocean race in the United States, this event is a combined 10k / 6k / 3k / 1k open water swim in Sitka Sound. changeyourlatitude. org

Sitka International Cello Seminar Bringing together top collegiate cellists from around the world, this event includes master classes and public performances around town. sitkamusicfestival. org / celloseminar

Sitka Jazz Week Enjoy world-class jazz provided by professional jazz musicians and talented students. sitkajazzweek. org

SEPTEMBER

Mudball Classic Softball Tournament This annual Labor Day weekend tournament— played rain or shine— is open for men’ s, women’ s, and co-ed softball teams. facebook. com / groups / sitkasoftball

OCTOBER

Alaska Day Festival Commemorate the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States with a reenactment ceremony on Baranof Castle Hill, a period costume ball, a parade, and more. facebook. com / alaskadaysitka

NOVEMBER

Sitka Whalefest Take in presentations by worldrenowned marine scientists and experience whale watching cruises, concerts, art shows, and a marinethemed market at this multiday festival. sitkawhalefest. org

Native American Heritage Month Over the month of November, celebrations of Alaska Natives, storytellers, and films will be held, as well as a regalia showcase, parade, and events to honor elders and veterans. sitkatribe. org

DECEMBER

Holiday Markets & Local Shopping Events Holiday markets happen throughout the month with locally-made art, crafts, and tasty treats. Downtown merchants host holiday sales and pop-ups. Watch Visit Sitka’ s event calendar for details. visitsitka. org / events sitkachamber. com

Learn More

Click here to browse our full list of detailed annual events.