More hours of daylight mean more time to spend outdoors, staying active and having a good time with family, friends, and the community.  In Fairbanks, Alaska, there is the perfect party to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Every year, the streets of downtown Fairbanks come alive with a 12-hour, family-friendly street-fair called the Midnight Sun Festival.  Packed with live music, performances, and hundreds of booths selling food, crafts, festival t-shirts, and handmade souvenirs, the festival displays just how important the summer solstice is to Interior Alaskans.

The activities include face-painting, gold-panning, an annual BBQ cook-off, a chance to play with sled dog puppies, and a skate park.  This is a great event for the kids and an opportunity to get out, try new foods, and mingle with the Fairbanks community.

The Midnight Sun Festival is unique to Fairbanks and is Alaska’s largest single-day event.  Every year the festival attracts more than 30,000 people.  This will mark the festival’s 33^rd year of bringing people together in downtown Fairbanks.

The Midnight Sun Festival takes place on Sunday, June 22 — starting at noon, ending at midnight.  First, 2^nd, and 3^rd Avenues of downtown Fairbanks will be closed off for the event, so it will be hard to miss and should be easy to find!

Photo Credit: Nomadic Lass via Compfight cc