LifeAlaska · August 31, 2026
september 7th is the last show
The biggest outdoor venue in Alaska has one show left in it.
Daily Alaska staff · August 31, 2026
The Alaska State Fair will demolish the Borealis Theatre, the amphitheater at the fairgrounds in Palmer, once this year's fair closes on September 7, and rebuild it on the same footprint in time for the 2027 season, fair officials said. Country artist Lyle Lovett is scheduled to perform at 6 p.m. that night, the last show set for the current bowl.
The rebuilt venue, the biggest outdoor venue in Alaska, is being redesigned to hold 6,500 people instead of the current 5,200. Fair CEO Blake Allen has pointed to that added capacity as the way to bring in larger acts, a change that will affect how many concertgoers can attend future fair shows.
The current stage was built in 1978 and the amphitheater bowl was dug out in 1983, meaning anyone who has watched a concert at the fair has watched it in that same structure.
The project is estimated to cost about $10 million. Planned upgrades include more bathrooms, an improved sound system, additional food and beverage points of sale, and taller side walls meant to block views of the stage from elsewhere on the fairgrounds. Which of those amenities make the final build depends on what construction cost estimates come back at.
In this story
Questions people ask
when does the borealis theatre close for rebuilding
After the Alaska State Fair closes on September 7, following Lyle Lovett's 6 p.m. show, the last performance in the current bowl.
how much will the new amphitheater cost
About $10 million to demolish and rebuild the Borealis Theatre at the Palmer fairgrounds.
when will the rebuilt borealis theatre open
The fair's goal is to have it finished in time for the 2027 season.
how many more seats will the new amphitheater have
The rebuilt bowl is designed to hold 6,500 people, up from the current capacity of 5,200, which will let the fair book bigger acts.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- The Alaska State Fair will demolish and rebuild the Borealis Theatre on the same footprint, targeting completion for the 2027 season. · adn.com
- The current stage was built in 1978 and the bowl was constructed in 1983. · adn.com
- The new bowl is designed to hold 6,500 people, up from 5,200. · adn.com
- The project is estimated to cost about $10 million. · adn.com
- Lyle Lovett performs at 6 p.m. on September 7, the last show in the old bowl. · adn.com
Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →