Alaska Day Festival

Sitka is where Alaska became part of the United States. The transfer from Russia took place on Castle Hill on October 18, 1867, and Sitka marks the anniversary each October with the Alaska Day Festival, which wraps up on Alaska Day itself.
Look for a reenactment of the transfer ceremony on Castle Hill, a downtown parade, a period costume ball, dances, dinners and contests. Times for 2026 are posted closer to the date.