From April 22nd through August 20th, Fairbanks enters Midnight Sun Season, when daylight in Fairbanks, Alaska stretches late into the night and midnight sun sunsets blend seamlessly into sunrise. 

 

10 best places to watch the sunset in the Fairbanks area 

 

How much daylight to expect: Fairbanks, AK 

During Midnight Sun Season, sunsets happen past midnight and merge directly into sunrises, filling the sky with endless magical light.  

From May 17th until July 27th, the magic reaches its peak: for 70 straight days, the sun never dips far enough below the horizon to bring true darkness. Instead, the sky glows in soft gold, pinks, and endless shades of orange. These aren’t ordinary sunsets; they’re something entirely their own. 

Use the Midnight Sun Tracker to find out how many hours of daylight you’ll experience on any given day. 

 

Things to do during Midnight Sun Season 

There’s a lot to do under the Midnight Sun, and constant sunshine is the experience of a lifetime! You'll find yourself having incredible amounts of energy and losing track of time in the best way. During Midnight Sun Season, it’s easy to stay out later than planned, hike at midnight, fish at 1am, and explore Fairbanks long after you’d normally call it a day. 

It can take a little getting used to, but the endless light creates an energy and sense of possibility you won’t find anywhere else. Summer is a treasure in Fairbanks, and something everyone should experience at least once.  

Find fun local events, amazing things to do, and watch the sunset, all under the Midnight Sun in Fairbanks, Alaska. Be sure to check out our free Visitor Guides to plan your trip!