Midnight Sun Season

With endless sunlight, Fairbanks’ summers are filled with energy and

brimming with action. Between April 22 and August 20 the sun never goes down far enough for our skies to get truly dark. In fact, from mid-May through late July, Fairbanks experiences never-ending daylight for 70 days straight. This constant sunlight transforms life in pleasing and wonderous ways. Flowers, vegetables and other plantlife flourish here and the rousing midnight sun calls people to the outdoors. Middleof-the-night activities include running, biking, golfing and even baseball, where the Alaska Goldpanners start their historic solstice game at 10pm without ever turning the lights on. At the peak of solstice, the Midnight Sun Festival takes over downtown Fairbanks for a 12-hour street fair in honor of this Far North phenomenon. Go for a midnight run, explore a glorious garden, float the Chena River or indulge in a late-night dessert on an outdoor deck. With the midnight sun simply refusing to set, our top-of-the-world town enjoys one of the best summers the planet has to offer.

Heads Up! Use the Midnight Sun Tracker at explorefairbanks.com to find how many hours of daylight to expect for any day of the year to get the most out of your visit to the land of the midnight sun.

Having been in Fairbanks most of my life, I feel very fortunate to be able to live here. Some people save their entire lives just to be able to visit and I get to call it home! One of the best things are the inclusive and diverse communities that welcome people from around the world. The midnight sun that lights our summers gives endless opportunities to explore the picturesque lands and majestic mountains around us. The everlasting sunshine also gives ample opportunity to enjoy local spirits and beers with friends on a deck overlooking the river, around a fire pit or at a brewery.

- Michael Campbell, Army civilian