Sitka WhaleFest
A marine-science festival in the heart of Southeast Alaska
Sitka WhaleFest is a five-day marine-science festival on the shores of Sitka Sound — visiting scientists give free public talks, boats head out on wildlife cruises, and hands-on workshops, arts events, and a film fest tie it all together around whales and the marine ecosystem. 2026 marks the 30th annual gathering, themed "Generations of Giants."
Dates
Nov 5–9, 2026
30th annual
Where
Sitka
Southeast Alaska
What
Marine science
talks + cruises
Talks
Free
open to public
The guide
Sitka WhaleFest · 30th Annual · early November
What it is
Sitka WhaleFest is a marine-science festival — genuinely one of a kind among Alaska events. Founded in 1997 and now a program of the Sitka Sound Science Center, it pairs a public science symposium with wildlife cruises, hands-on workshops, and community arts events, all built around whales and the marine life of Sitka Sound. The 2026 edition is the 30th annual, themed "Generations of Giants: 30 Years of Whales, Wisdom, and What Follows."
The science symposium
At the festival's core is a symposium of visiting marine scientists who give talks that are free and open to the public. The lectures are pitched for a general audience, not just researchers — a rare chance to hear working marine biologists explain their fieldwork in person, in the town where much of it happens.
On the water and hands-on
Beyond the talks, WhaleFest gets people out into Sitka Sound and up close with the science: marine wildlife cruises to look for whales and other wildlife, kayaking to Kaasda Héen, a snorkel-and-sauna outing, and hands-on sessions like a marine mammal necropsy, scientific illustration, and entangled marine mammal first-responder training. Most of these are individually ticketed and fill up.
Community, arts & food
The festival threads through Sitka with a free Film Fest and a free Student Art Show, Marine Trivia, the Maritime Grind performance, the "Charismatic MegaQuestions" talks, and a "Tongass to Table" culinary event, plus a Market & Café and the WhaleFest Run. Many of the indoor events are hosted at Harrigan Centennial Hall on the waterfront.
Don't miss
Highlights
Free science symposium
Visiting marine scientists give public talks pitched for a general audience — free and open to everyone.
Marine wildlife cruises
Head out onto Sitka Sound to look for whales and other wildlife with the festival's science lens.
Hands-on workshops
A marine mammal necropsy, scientific illustration, first-responder training for entangled marine mammals, and more.
Free Film Fest & Student Art Show
Two of the festival's most beloved events — both free — at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
Kayaking & Snorkel & Sauna
Get on and in the water — a paddle to Kaasda Héen and a cold-water snorkel warmed by a sauna.
Marine Trivia & Maritime Grind
Community nights that turn the town's marine obsession into a good time.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Dates
November 5–9, 2026 — the 30th annual Sitka WhaleFest.
Where
Sitka, on Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska; many indoor events are at Harrigan Centennial Hall on the waterfront.
Getting there
No road reaches Sitka — fly in via Alaska Airlines (SIT) or take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Book early.
Tickets
Symposium talks, the Film Fest, and the Student Art Show are free. Cruises and workshops are ticketed and fill up — register through the official festival site once 2026 sign-ups open.
Tip
Sitka in November is cool and wet — pack rain gear and warm layers. Pair the science talks (free) with a wildlife cruise for the full experience.
Plan around it
Events near Sitka
On the calendar
Related events
Sitka Whale Fest
A celebration of marine science and Sitka's migrating humpback whales with whale-watching boat tours, science talks, art
TicketsSitka WhaleFest
Sitka Whale Fest
A celebration of marine science and Sitka's migrating humpback whales with whale-watching boat tours, science talks, art
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Local partners
Where to eat & stay
Good to know
Sitka WhaleFest FAQ
When is Sitka WhaleFest 2026?
November 5–9, 2026, in Sitka, Alaska. 2026 is the 30th annual festival, themed "Generations of Giants."
What is Sitka WhaleFest?
A marine-science festival built around whales and the ecosystem of Sitka Sound. It combines a public science symposium — talks by visiting marine scientists — with wildlife cruises, hands-on workshops, a film fest, a student art show, and community events. It's a program of the Sitka Sound Science Center, a local nonprofit.
Where is Sitka WhaleFest held?
In Sitka, on Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Many indoor events — the Student Art Show, Film Fest, Market & Café, Maritime Grind, Marine Trivia, and symposium talks — are hosted at Harrigan Centennial Hall on the waterfront, with cruises and outdoor activities out on Sitka Sound.
Are the science talks free?
Yes — the science symposium talks are free and open to the public, as are the Film Fest and the Student Art Show. Most of the hands-on workshops and the wildlife cruises are individually ticketed or require registration.
How do I get tickets?
Registration for the ticketed events — cruises, workshops, the run, and more — goes through the festival's own site each year. As of this writing, 2026 registration wasn't open yet, so check the official Sitka WhaleFest site for prices and to sign up once it goes live. The free events (symposium talks, Film Fest, Student Art Show) don't require a ticket.
How much do the events cost?
It varies by event. The symposium talks, Film Fest, and Student Art Show are free. Hands-on workshops and cruises are ticketed, and in recent years fees have ranged from roughly $10 for lower-key events up to around $95 for the most involved outings, like the necropsy or kayaking. Treat those as ballpark — set 2026 prices are published when registration opens, so confirm on the official site before you plan around a number.
Can I see whales at Sitka WhaleFest?
That's the idea — the festival is timed to the marine ecosystem of Sitka Sound and offers marine wildlife cruises to look for whales and other wildlife. Sightings are never guaranteed on any given trip, but the cruises are a highlight and are led with the festival's science focus in mind.
How do I get to Sitka?
Sitka has no road connection to the rest of Alaska — you arrive by plane or by boat. Alaska Airlines serves Sitka (SIT), and the Alaska Marine Highway ferries also call there. Book flights and lodging early; November is quieter than summer, but WhaleFest is one of the town's signature events.
Who runs Sitka WhaleFest?
It's a program of the Sitka Sound Science Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Sitka. WhaleFest was founded in 1997 and became a Science Center program in 2012 — the 2026 festival is the 30th annual.
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