Blueberry Festival 2026
SAVE THE DATE! The juiciest summer of the weekend is almost here…
Alyeska Blueberry Festival 🫐
🗓️ Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Hotel Courtyard, Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave, Girdwood, AK 99587
🎟️ This event is FREE & OPEN TO ALL AGES!
August in Alaska means there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy at Alyeska Resort. One of the best ways to get outside and spend time with your family is by picking blueberries, celebrating blueberries and being surrounded by like-minded blueberry enthusiasts in the Chugach Mountains! These delectable little morsels pack a flavorful punch and luckily for us, they grow plentiful on Alaska’s mountains. Stay the night at Alyeska and take advantage of this family-friendly event packed with berry fun, including:
🎶 Live music
🍷 Beer & wine garden
🍔 Food trucks
🛍️ Artisan vendors & handmade goods
🧒 Kids zone
🚡 Lifts for Little Bears
🥧 Pie Eating Contest
👨🍳 Blueberry Creations Contest (Saturday only!)
🫐 And of course, berry picking!
For the full schedule of events, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Pro Tips:
RULES – Please leave your dogs at home. No outside food or alcohol. No weapons. No drones.
BYOC – You’re encouraged to bring your own cup for enjoying beverages in the Beer & Wine Garden.
PARKING – Parking is limited and may not be available at the hotel. Guests are encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool when possible. For the easiest access, park at the Daylodge and take the free Glacier Valley Transit shuttle. Trailers and motorhomes are not permitted in Hotel Alyeska parking areas, and camping is NOT allowed. Do not park in designated “no parking” zones, as towing will be enforced throughout Girdwood.
WANT TO STAY IN GIRDWOOD? Make a weekend of it and book accommodations at the resort with our limited-time blueberry-themed package. With your overnight accommodations, you’ll also receive two aerial tram tickets, one voucher for a homemade blueberry pie, and one blueberry picking bucket! Must book the Blueberry Festival package to receive promotional items. You do not need to stay at the resort to attend Blueberry Festival. The event is free entry and open to the public. Click to book our package, your perfect way to experience the best of Blueberry Festival.
🫐 Blueberry Passport Challenge
Sip, Savor & Win! The Blueberry Passport Challenge is your ticket to tasting you way across Alyeska Resort. Visit all five participating outlets – Forte, Greatland, aBar, Tramway Café, and the Festival Beer & Wine Garden – and try the featured blueberry drink at each stop. Get your passport initialed along the way as you complete your journey. Once you’ve visited all five locations, return your completed passport to the Front Desk for a chance to win a free night at Alyeska Resort. Cheers to blueberry bliss! Passports are available at all participating outlets. Outlet hours may vary.
🥧 Pie Eating Contest
Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the ultimate pie eating champion? The annual Blueberry Pie Eating Contest is back by popular demand. Competitors go head-to-head (or face-first) in a race to finish a small blueberry pie topped with whipped cream. There’s just one rule: no hands allowed. Bragging rights are on the line, so come hungry and ready to get covered in berry goodness! Daily at 2:00pm. Must register by 1:30pm at the Information Booth. First come, first served based on availability. $10 entry fee.
👨🍳 Blueberry Creations Contest (Saturday only)
Think you’ve got the most berry-licious recipe around? Get your aprons on and your creativity flowing, because we want your best mouthwatering blueberry creations of all kinds: baked goods, beverages, jams, and more. It’s free to enter, so bring your best and join the berry fun! Submit creations at the Info Booth by 1:00pm on Saturday. Judging takes place in front of the Main Stage from 1:30-2:00pm. Winner takes all: a 1-night stay at Alyeska Resort.
🚡 Lifts for Little Bears
Take your Blueberry Festival experience to new heights with Lifts for Little Bears! Ride Chair 7 on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 from 12pm-6pm for just $10 per person. Best of all, 100% of ticket proceeds benefit Little Bears Playhouse, Girdwood’s nonprofit early childhood learning center. One weekend only. One great cause. This is your only chance to ride Chair 7 this summer, so don’t miss it. Riders must be at least 40″ tall. All guests will unload at the top of Chair 7 and walk back down to the festival grounds. Tickets can be purchased at the base of Chair 7.
🏃♂️ Little Bears Playhouse: Run Wild Fun Run (Sunday only)
Little Bears Playhouse is back with RUN WILD, a family fun run on Sunday at 10:30am. Registration begins at 10am at the base of Chair 7. Courses are available for different age levels, and parents are welcome to run alongside their children. All kids will receive medals at the finish line. Animal costumes are encouraged.
🎈 Kids Zone
Designed with our youngest festivalgoers in mind, this family-friendly area will feature games, activities, and plenty of fun throughout the weekend. Enjoy face painting (paid), the balloon twister (free!), a pop-up from Girdwood School, and a special appearance from the AWCC (read more below). Parents and guardians, please remain with your children at all times; children should not be left unattended in the Kids Zone.
🦬 Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Fossils & Facts
Put your wildlife knowledge to the test with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center! In this interactive matching game, guests will explore replica animal tracks, skulls, and furs while learning how Alaska’s wildlife has uniquely adapted to thrive in its environment. Match the clues, discover the species, and uncover the story behind each adaptation in this hands-on educational experience for all ages. Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am–4:00pm.
🐶 K9 Avalanche Dogs
Meet the real-life heroes of Alyeska Resort: Stormy, Raven, and Moxie! These highly trained K9 avalanche dogs are an essential part of mountain safety, and now you get the chance to meet them up close. Stop by to say hello, snap a photo, and collect a special “paw-tograph” (paw autograph!). Plus, check out exclusive their K9 merch, with all sales supporting the continued training and care of the K9 Avalanche Dog Program. Come for the cuteness, stay for the lifesaving heroes.
🐾 Redington Mushing
Experience the excitement of Alaska’s legendary mushing culture with Redington Mushing! Meet real Iditarod racing sled dogs up close, and if we’re lucky, maybe even a few adorable puppies. Come say hello, snap a photo, and connect with the dogs that power life on the trail.
🎨 Vendors
Interested in showcasing your crafts or becoming a food vendor? Send inquiries to amyq@alyeskaresort.com. Please be aware of fraudulent messages claiming to offer vendor registration or request payment on behalf of Alyeska Resort. If you receive any suspicious messages, do not respond or send payment – please contact us directly to verify. Thank you for helping us keep our vendor community safe.
Food Vendors
907 POM BAR * AK Frostbite * Alaska Bubble Waffles * Alaska Snow Biz * Ventura’s Tavern * B Street Gumbo * Bruceskis * Crepes de Paris * Divine Dips * El Senor Moose * Forget Me Not Foods * High Five Hand Pies * KC Eats * La Oaxaquena * Northern Sno * Pioneer Peak Pretzles * Smokehouse BBQ * Wiki-liscious
Craft Vendors
Laughing Lupin Studios * Salty Sisters * Kenai Clayworks * Dana Mae’s Cookies * Stationary Treasures * La Joya * Felicia Johnson Art * Stephanie’s Closet * Oh My Gift AK * Soul Expressions * Late June * Get Scent * Crystal Healstals * Art Glass by Sara Chatfield * L and M Artistry * Blue Hour Jewelry * Alaska Wild Rose Co. * Tayler Made Designs * Fireside Fleece * Mere-Mades & Quya Crafts * K Paulson Illustrations * Kimberly’s Creations * Anodos Rising * Olivia Rosemary Art * The Turkey & The Fox * Kiah Ky Designs * Three Petal Pottery * Ms Alyeska Crafts * Amber’s Crafty Things & Woodworks * Vintage Poppy * The Leather Peony * Regal Alaskans * Ashley Seabolt Originals * Hot Girl Tactical * Meg Wilde Art * Nethe’s Brush * House of Pink Princess * Voter Registration & Information * Farm Loop Coffee * Pesky Raven Designs * Alaska Energy Balance * Lucky Dice Ceramics * Little Alaskans * Epilogue Bone Art * AK Fozy Co. * Prince Chiming * Arctic Chiropractic * Wild by Nature Studio * Artwork by Jessica Brevard * Ellespottery * Original Doodle Body Art * Happy AK * Henna + Hair Co. * Dakini People Solutions * Madrid Knives * G3 Kreations * Swoop * Love and Butter Alaska
