Nalukataq

Name: Nalukataq
Start: 2025-06-18
End: 2025-06-20
Location: Barrow

The Inupiat Harvest Festival Where Arctic Tradition and Joy Soar

2026/06/17 - 2026/06/19

Every June in Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), the northernmost town in Alaska, the Inupiat people hold a grand celebration called Nalukataq—their traditional bowhead whale harvest festival. Beneath the midnight sun, families and friends gather as the rhythms of drums, laughter, and the distinctive scent of the sea and seal oil fill the air. The festival is steeped in generations of tradition and gratitude. Nalukataq is not just a festival; it’s a living culture where thanks, reunion, and community pride are deeply felt.

Held on the Arctic coast, Nalukataq welcomes everyone—from elders in fur parkas to travelers eager to witness tradition. If you want to taste the Arctic, feel the unity of the community, and experience the thrill of soaring high on a whale-skin blanket, Nalukataq is a rare chance to touch the heart of the North.

Main Attractions

The Blanket Toss (Nalukataq)

The festival’s symbol and highlight is the blanket toss, where dozens of people hold the edges of a large blanket made from seal or walrus skins and launch participants high into the air. The sensation of cutting through the wind, spinning or waving to the cheering crowd, is unforgettable. Originally, this tradition was used as a lookout for hunting, but today it is a pure celebration.

Key Events

Nalukataq spans several days, featuring traditional Inupiat drumming and dancing, the sharing of whale meat and muktuk (whale skin and blubber), and games for all ages. There are also community feasts, singing, and storytelling, with laughter echoing in the crisp Arctic air. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the unity and pride of a culture shaped by the sea and ice.

Traditional Food & Drink

Traditional foods are a key part of Nalukataq. Boiled whale meat, muktuk, seal, and caribou are served on large platters, along with bannock bread, berries, and hot tea. The salty richness of fresh whale meat, the aroma of simmering dishes, and the tang of the Arctic sea fill the venue—a true taste of the North. For many, trying muktuk for the first time is a rite of passage into Inupiat culture.

Cultural and Historical Background

Nalukataq dates back centuries, originating from the Inupiat tradition of giving thanks for a successful whale hunt and sharing the bounty with the entire community. The blanket toss was once a practical lookout for hunters, but now symbolizes celebration and unity. The festival is hosted by whaling captains (umialik) and their crews, who distribute the whale meat and blubber to the community as a gesture of gratitude and responsibility.

For the Inupiat, Nalukataq is a vital opportunity to reaffirm their ancestral way of life and identity, and to pass on the strength and wisdom needed to survive in the harsh Arctic to the next generation. It is a time to honor elders, teach children, and welcome home family and friends—a living expression of the “heart of the Arctic.”

Participant Voices

I attended as a visitor and was warmly welcomed by everyone. I tried muktuk for the first time and joined in the dancing. The sense of community was overwhelming. The endless tundra I saw from the blanket toss is a memory I’ll never forget.

Fun Facts

The blanket used for the toss is made by sewing together dozens of seal skins, sometimes reinforced with walrus hide.
Jumpers can soar over 20 feet (6 meters) into the air!
Nalukataq is one of the few events in the US where whale meat is served legally, thanks to the Inupiat’s traditional whaling rights.