What Is the Best Time to Travel to Fairbanks?

Summer is the peak season to visit Fairbanks, but if you’re looking for no crowds and the cheapest rates, plan your trip for the winter or shoulder seasons.
Written by Annette Maxon
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Whether you’re hoping to get a glimpse of the northern lights, see a dog sled race, or enjoy nearly 20 hours of sunlight, Fairbanks, Alaska has something for nearly everyone. But to appropriately plan, it’s important to consider your must-do activities, temperature preferences, and budget to determine the best time for your visit.
Alaska
has quickly become one of the most popular vacation destinations for its countless natural wonders and relatively untouched landscape. However, with its popularity comes increased prices and an influx of crowds during certain times of the year. Some travelers may be driven away by the crowds, but some will brave the crowds in favor of the idyllic temperatures.
No matter your preferences, it can be tough trying to choose the best month to visit
Fairbanks
, Alaska. That’s why
super app
and
car insurance
broker,
Jerry
, made this guide to everything you need to know about visiting Fairbanks—including the most popular sights, events and activities, and the weather you can expect in Fairbanks any month of the year.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged

The best times of year to travel to Fairbanks

When planning your trip to Fairbanks, consider a few details to narrow down the best time of year for your vacation. If it’s sunny weather and good hiking conditions you’re craving, the summer is likely your best option. However, Fairbanks is also ideal in the winter when the prices are low and the northern lights put on a spectacular show nearly every day.

Peak season: July to August

The good: Warm weather
The bad: Expensive rates, biggest crowds
The weather: 60s to 70s
A summer visit to Fairbanks comes with no shortage of gorgeous sunshine (think: 19 hours of daylight) and countless outdoor activities. 
This is also the time of year when the city some of its keystone events—celebrate the founding of Fairbanks with a parade and festival at
Golden Days
in July. Or, soak in the local art scene at the
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
.
August brings the
Tanana Valley State Fair
, the longest-running fair in the Last Frontier State. Or, tie on your running shoes for the
Catch a Parkie-Pine Family Fun Run

Off-season: November to April

The good: Best rates, no crowds, Aurora Borealis season
The bad: Extremely cold and dry, short days (4 to 6 hours of daylight)
The weather: 0 to mid-20s, depending on the month
Needless to say, winters in Fairbanks are cold. Make sure to pack layers and snow gear since snowfall is extremely common during the off-season. 
Even though the weather is bitter, this is an excellent time to visit Fairbanks if you want the cheapest rates and a chance to see the stunning Aurora Borealis during its peak.
There’s also no shortage of events: pay a visit in February to cheer on the
Yukon Quest
dog sled race or join the spectators to watch the world’s hardest snowmobile race, the
Iron Dog
. Late February and March bring the
World Ice Art Championships
and the
Festival of Native Arts
, the latter providing a much-needed escape from the cold. 

Shoulder season: May to June, September to October

The good: Mild weather, fewer crowds, lower rates
The bad: Possible snow and cold weather
The weather: 40s to 50s
Mild weather and fewer crowds make Fairbanks perfect for those wanting to get outside and have the sights to themselves—but keep in mind that some attractions may be closed or have limited hours. 
April and May are relatively calm with key events including the
Spring Fling
run and
Beat Beethoven 5K
. If running isn’t your thing,
Ride or Glide
brings together skiers and fat tires bike enthusiasts for this relay race and festival. Catch up on your Shakespeare with the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theater at the annual
Bard-A-Thon
in May
Fairbanks in the fall doesn’t disappoint. The crisp autumn days bring idyllic hiking weather. For those wanting an event, the
Equinox Marathon
draws participants and spectators every September. If it’s the Northern Lights you’re hoping to see, know that October kicks off the Aurora Borealis viewing season, so you may want to wait until later in the fall to plan your trip. 

Find the best month for your visit to Fairbanks

Now it’s time for the hard part—choosing the month for your visit to Fairbanks. If budget isn’t your first priority, it’s a good idea to figure out your must-do experiences to select the best time for your trip. However, budget-conscious travelers will likely favor the off-season to avoid the summer’s sky-high rates.
Check out the table below to find the best time of year for Fairbanks’s most popular activities:
Activity
Best month to visit
Why?
Northern lights
Winter
Peak viewing season for the aurora borealis starts in November and goes through March, so aim for winter if you’re hoping to catch this natural light show.
Hot springs
March, April, September, or October
If you want to take a dip in the
Chena Hot Springs
, go during the shoulder season to enjoy this popular sight without the summer crowds.
Fall or Winter
The best time to explore this popular museum is in the fall or winter when you want an escape from the cold and no crowds.
May or September
Mingle with the reindeer at this privately-owned farm. Because of its popularity, aim for May or September to beat the summer crowds.
Dog mushing
Winter
Take part in this quintessential Alaska sport during the winter months at one of the local dog sled companies.
Glaciers
Summer
Despite the unbearable crowds, the best time to see glaciers is during the summer, when the mild temperatures make the glacier boat tours bearable.
Hiking
Summer
No trip to Alaska is complete without a hike. For the best conditions, plan your trip for the summer to get the best weather and fields of wildflowers.
April, May, September
Stick to the shoulder months if you want to see Fairbanks from the deck of a historic steamboat as it makes its way down the Chena River.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers
Pro Tip No matter when you visit, come prepared for unexpected snow and chilly weather—a hat, gloves, scarf, and coat are must-haves no matter the activities you’ve planned for your trip!

How to find savings on car and rental insurance

Whether you choose a summertime escape or a winter trip to Fairbanks, anyone renting a car or road tripping through the state should know that a good
car insurance plan
is essential. Snow and ice-covered roads are common year-round—especially in the higher-elevation sights during the summer. Also, the wildlife poses numerous driving challenges in the Last Frontier State.
Fortunately, the
No. 1 car insurance app
Jerry makes finding coverage that is customized to you a breeze.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers,
Jerry
will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! In less than five minutes, Jerry will have you safe and secure for your
Alaska
vacation. 
Jerry
is really great! I was paying $226/month on my previous policy and now I’m only paying $103/month with Progressive. I’m glad I found this service.” —Zachary W
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

FAQs

It depends! If you’re looking for perfect weather, prime hiking weather, and a range of events, then July to August are the best time of year to visit Fairbanks. But, if your biggest priority is sticking to a budget, it’s best to book your visit to Fairbanks during the off-season when prices are lowest.
Winter is when the northern lights are at their peak. However, know that you can see the northern lights from Fairbanks as early as October (in some rare cases, even September) or as late as April.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings