2025 Sitka WhaleFest

Sitka WhaleFest celebrates marine life through science, art, culture, and adventure. Attendees of all ages and backgrounds leave WhaleFest with a deeper connection to the ocean.

The core of Sitka WhaleFest is the three-day science symposium, where scientists and knowledge-bearers share the latest research and learning about marine life. This symposium is for everyone: speakers highlight the relevance and accessibility of their knowledge to people from all walks of life. Deepen the WhaleFest experience by participating in hands-on workshops, appreciating the work of artists and performers, exploring Sitka Sound, and engaging with Sitka’s vibrant community.

Lisa Teas Conaway, a lifelong Sitka resident and longtime attendee of Sitka WhaleFest, is the resident artist this year. The heart of Sitka WhaleFest is the three-day symposium, where world-renowned scientists share their current research. This innovative science event gives future scientists and anyone interested in our oceans opportunities to meet and interact with a passionate and diverse group of speakers. Each afternoon, symposium participants and guest speakers will explore a daily theme connected to the overall theme of the symposium: Entwined. In addition to numerous activities in and around Sitka, three lectures are scheduled each day, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.