Each February, more than 50 dog teams and their handlers head out on the Yukon tundra for one of the most grueling competitions on the planet, the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. Beyond the renowned 1,000-mile race, Yukon is home to a gaggle of other annual festivals, including the following ones that showcase local cities and culture (the month[s] each event is typically held is listed below):
The Sourdough Rendezvous Festival
February
Whitehorse residents and visitors celebrate the cold winter months in style with a week of mainstage concerts, snow-carving displays and unusual contests—everything from lip syncing and hair freezing to chainsaw chucking.
The Adäka Cultural Festival
Late June/Early July
The talents and contributions of Yukon’s First Nations people are showcased in Whitehorse through traditional and contemporary music, dance, art and storytelling, as well as interactive craft workshops.
Dawson City Music Festival
July
This summer celebration, which turned 40 in 2018, features six stages of music and dozens of bands, workshops led by performers, open jam sessions, an arts pavilion and a beer garden.
To learn more, reach out to Tourism Yukon’s Stephen Reynolds or go to travelyukon.com.
Top photo by Government of Yukon
