Celebrate Alaska at the 2026 Kodiak Crab Festival
It’s time to celebrate great local food and fresh seafood, Kodiak culture and history, warmer weather, sunnier days, great music, and what makes Kodiak the most special of all – community. It’s time for the 68th Annual Kodiak Crab Festival! The inaugural festival, first named the King Crab Festival, was held in 1958 to market the king crab industry. As other crab markets grew over the years, the festival was renamed – and has continued to grow and flourish!
The Annual Kodiak Crab Festival brings together all the things we love about Kodiak Island, boosting local business, encouraging tourism, bringing the community together, and showcasing the best of Alaska and its most charming town.
What: The 68th Annual Kodiak Crab Festival
Theme: You, Me & the Sea
When: May 21 – 25, 2026
12 PM – 8 PM Thu
10 AM – 8 PM Fri
11 AM – 8 PM Sat
10 AM – 8 PM Sun
10 AM – 4 PM Mon
Throughout the weekend, visitors can look forward to 2026 Kodiak Crab Festival merchandise, local vendors, food, live entertainment, a parade, bounce houses, cultural dances, and plenty of games for kids and adults!
Special thanks to local artist Valory Canfield, who created the 2026 logo, and to local Kodiak artist Bruce Nelson, who designed this year’s poster.
Fun for the Kids
Thanks to a sponsorship from Matson, 509 Jumpers LLC from Yakima, Washington, will be at the festival all 5 days with inflatable slides, bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, and games! The favorite Climbing Elevation Rock Wall will also return, along with the Hamster Balls from Kodiak Christian School, the Gelly Ball Arena, the Bungee Bounce, the Kodiak Lions Club Sawdust Pile, and the Kiwanis Nail Benders!
You Could WIN!
What’s a festival without some great opportunities for winning prizes?! Share your photos throughout the Kodiak Crab Festival weekend for a chance to win the photo contest.
The Kodiak Chamber of Commerce will also be selling raffle tickets throughout the weekend, with a chance to win $10,000 on Memorial Day! Raffle tickets are $25 each or $100 for 5 tickets.
Join the Parade
Register Today
Parade registration is almost over, so be sure to secure your spot before the Friday, May 8, deadline. You can register to participate in the parade at the link here.
Food + Fun for All
Of course, Kodiak wouldn’t put on a festival without some great food options. Cool off with ice cream, grab a hot dog, enjoy a burger, fill up on crab and fresh seafood, and wash it all down with a drink from The Soda Jerk. Grand Slam Toys & Games will also be there, so be sure to swing by their booth for some fun to take home! And don’t forget to grab event merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, stickers, posters, and more!
Weekend Events this year include:
Senator Dan Sullivan & Miss Alaska Suparat Prasannet pardoning the crab
Crab Fest Stage
Thursday at 5 PM
Kodiak Crab Festival Parade
Mill Bay Road
Saturday at 10 AM
Alutiiq Dancers
Saturday at 12 PM
Fisherman’s Memorial Service
Sunday at 3 PM
Blessing of the Fleet
By the gazebo on the spit
Monday at 1 PM
The Cannery Row Crab Fest Mile
Monday at 9 AM
Boot Scootin’ Babes Family Line Dancing with Miss Alaska
Throughout weekend
Norm Holm Memorial Survival Suit Race
Showcasing the fishing industry
Saturday at 1 PM
USCG Search & Rescue Demo
Finish Lines of Pillar Mountain Race & Crab Fest Bike Race
In front of the Harbor Master Building
Getting There
Courtesy of the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, a FREE shuttle will run between the Orpheum Theater and Kodiak High School every 15 minutes on Friday and Saturday. Pickup is by the cafeteria stairs and runs 3:15 PM – 7 PM on Friday and 12:15 PM – 7 PM on Saturday.
Get Your Wristbands Now – and SAVE
This year, the festival is offering presale wristbands to make gaming even easier. If you buy your tickets now through May 20 (by 4 PM), you’ll pay just $115 for a 5-day Crab Pass and $45 for a 1-day Crab Pass. They’ll also have a Gelly Ball 5-Play Punch Card for $20!
Regular price tickets (May 21 – 25) are $115 for a 5-day Crab Pass and $45 for a 1-day Crab Pass. You can pick up wristbands now through May 20 at the Chamber of Commerce office or at the 509 Jumpers Ticket Booth once Crab Fest kicks off.
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