Fairbanks Music Guide

Would it be redundant to say Fairbanks has a fair amount of music? On the banks of the two rivers, music can be heard through a few different outdoor summer festivals. During the winter months, native Alaskans take to indoor musical entertainment, for obvious reasons. No one wants a trombone player's lips to freeze to his instrument. If you have never visited the Golden Heart of Alaska, then you may not have an idea of the musical opportunities one can find there.

Folk music has a deep history in Fairbanks. The community and people really enjoy the story telling aspect of the song, giving it more meaning that more modern approaches to music. At the Pioneer Park Moose Creek Stage, the Fairbanks Summer Folk Festival takes guests into the world of folk music, with songs, dancing, and many, many live performances. It's a daylong event packed full of vendors selling food, jewelry, trinkets, and desserts. It's a great place to take kids and to see performers celebrate the musical history of the Alaskan people, with a lot more mixed in. The festival boasts a 10 pm square dance, for anyone feeling the urge to swing their partner, round and round. The best part about this event-it's absolutely free. Just walk in and enjoy the sights, sounds, and entertainment.

In addition to the Summer Festival, Fairbanks also hosts a Winter Folk Fest. In 2010, the Winter Folk Fest celebrated its twenty-fourth consecutive festival. The festival brings together visitors to enjoy craft shows, music, and square dancing. Just like its summer counterpart, the event is free of any admission fee. The event hosted over thirty different musical performances from 2 pm to 11 pm. The Pioneer Park, where both events take place, hosts other musical events for children and adults, including Bluegrass Camp for Kids - a four day camp for children and young adults, Brother Mule - a concert featuring three of the top acoustic musicians playing music in the guise of conversation, and the John Jorgenson Quintet - a guitar aficionado performing live with his band.

Fairbanks also hosts the Tanana Fair each summer, in the month of August. The fair chooses new live acts each year. A visitor to Fairbanks in Alaska can attend the fair, stomach the rides, chomp through some not-so-healthy food, and finish the night off with a live musical performance. All while enjoying the outdoors in Alaska.

Each summer, and even during the brisk, often deep-freeze, winters, Fairbanks embraces folk and cultural music. The city supports both the Summer and Winter Folk Festivals, and they will likely continue on for quite a while. If you happen through Fairbanks while they’re going on, be sure to stop by and swing your partner round and round.