You Won’t Want To Miss These Incredible Fireworks Shows In Alaska This Year

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:

1. Girdwood Forest Fair

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.

2. Downtown Juneau

In Juneau, fireworks are permitted. The display is shot over the Gastineau Channel and you can see well from the downtown area.

3. Downtown Kodiak

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.

4. Seward

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.

5. Sitka

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.

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
• 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
• 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
• Mulcahy Stadium, July 4, Approx. 11:59 PM after the annual Alaska Baseball League doubleheader, when permitted
• 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
• Bethel, July 4, downtown Bethel, Picnic and games, vendors and parade at Noon
• 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
• 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?