Alaska offers visitors a unique experience white Christmas. Located in the northernmost part of the US, the state of Alaska boasts of parades, like the parade of lights, mule bucking, huge decorated trees and more. Christmas traditions in Alaska are many and for a state which is perpetually cold and covered in snow, it feels like it is always Christmas in there, so much so that people go to the north pole during July and August, to ‘visit Santa’. Visitors would of course love to enjoy and take part in all these festivities which is different from one region to the other so here is a list of 10 places where people can enjoy and celebrate Christmas in Alaska.
Christmas In Alaska: 9 Must-Visit Places
Christmas in Alaska provides unique experiences to its visitors. Take a look at the best places for Christmas in Alaska that you must explore for a perfect holiday whether you are visiting with your family or friends!
- North Pole
- Juneau
- Anchorage
- Nome
- Palmer
- Cordova
- Soldotna
- Fairbanks
- Kenai
1. North Pole
The North Pole is where Santa lives, and everyone knows that so what better way to say Merry Christmas than to visit that place itself? In Alaska, you can enjoy a reindeer ride and various other ice events that are full of varied ice sculptures. This town adores the holidays, so the houses around here are decorated with beautiful Christmas lights, accompanied by Nativity scenes. Downtown, you will find a gigantic tree decorated with all the ships offered. It’s all a part of the Christmas cheer. This is the best Christmas town in Alaska. Do not miss visiting Santa Claus’s house in Alaska when you are here.
Location: Located 13 miles southeast of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway.
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2. Juneau
The Juneau Public Market is a hotbed of holiday activities, and all types of assortments can be found here. This market is entire of handmade items that are offered up to the local craftsmen and these items are famous for their quality and minute details. Perfect for some last-minute gifts. But there’s more to do here than just visiting the public market, going down to the harbour to look at the boats beautifully outlined here in Alaska during Christmas lights, or perhaps spending an evening at the famous Holiday Pops Concert to listen to nostalgic holiday songs. If your inclination is towards nature, then you can give a hand to the Juneau Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count and help them count the bird population during winter months. So, do include this for your Christmas vacation in Alaska.
Location: Southeastern part of Alaska, on the Gastineau Channel.
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3. Anchorage
We would recommend getting a vacation rental right in the downtown part of this place in Alaska during Christmas to explore. Christmas in Anchorage, Alaska offers panoramic and scenic places to explore with all the detailed ice sculptures. This Christmas book passage on the Holiday Train runs on the Alaska Railroad as you listen to holiday music and enjoy the view of the window toward the shimmering winter wonderland. You can also engage in the Family Holiday Pops Concert as the Holiday Pops Orchestra and the Anchorage Concert Chorus unite for a lovely evening full of melodies. There are a lot of upscale stores where you can pick up Christmas gifts for your loved ones. This is the best place to witness Christmas in Alaska traditions.
Location: a South-central portion of Alaska right at the terminus of the Cook Inlet.
4. Nome
This small town has beautiful vacation rentals in which to spend time. The Old St. Joe’s Civic Center will get you in the festive mood with its Christmas carols, and you will get to take a picture with Santa Claus and his reindeer. During the cold evenings, stroll down through the downtown area and see the glimmering strung Christmas lights in Alaska and on the hung along the buildings and lamp posts. This is known for the best Christmas activities in Alaska.
Location: Located on the southern Seward Peninsula coast on Norton Sound of the Bering Sea.
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5. Palmer
The magical time of the year falls every December from 9th to 11th. The celebrations are kicked off with the Colony Christmas celebration, which brings all the fantastical fireworks, gingerbreads, parades of gorgeous lights, and the promise of fun and cheers. It’s a guarantee that the whole family will have fun for days. This area of the Mat-Su Valley truly knows how to partake and have a good time no matter the degree of the temperature outside because Christmas comes only once a year.
Location: Mat-Su Valley, Palmer, AK 99645, US
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6. Cordova
Christmas vacations in Alaska, Cordova is for those who want to leave it all behind and try being somewhere peaceful. This isolated small town comes alive with all the Christmas lights and decorations. If you arrive within time to see the Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Parade, you will be lucky. In the parade, there are floats and marching bands, along with locals who are just having the time of their lives. Get in on all the fun and after that take a picture with Santa to cherish the memory forever.
Location: Located near the mouth of the Copper River in the Valdez-Cordova
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7. Soldotna
The best place to spend Christmas in Alaska is 2024 since the Christmas tree at the Soldotna Creek Park is a sight to behold, all decked out in beautiful luminescence fairy lights. The fantastic park sits right along the rushing Kenai River, which makes it a beautiful, magical evening. The Watershed Forum Holiday Open House is another excellent place to visit since you will see all the residents there, sip on some delicious eggnog, and listen to beautiful Christmas carols playing softly in the background. You can take a stroll through the town as well to take in all the different kinds of decorations, but be careful not to wander off too far since there is a prevalent beat population there.
Location: located in the Southcentral portion of Alaska on the central-western portion of the Kenai Peninsula.
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8. Fairbanks
The Santa train is a must-ride during the happy holidays here. Departing from the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum in Fairbanks’ Pioneer Park, it is a ride to remember. To get your groove going, there is the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, which, along with other choices, gets The Design Alaska Holiday Concert going on so that you can heat to all the holiday melodies. You will be stunned to see the night explode in lights during the Celebration of Lights Fireworks. Fairbanks is a place whose Christmas celebrations will stay with you long after you leave.
Location: The city is extremely far north, being close to 16 parallels north of the Pacific border between the U.S. and Canada. It is also roughly on the same parallel as the northern Swedish city of Skellefteå and the Finnish city of Oulu.
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9. Kenai
When the holidays descend on Kenai, they engulf it in beauty, love, and magic. It is said that Christmas comes to this place to spread its cheers. Christmas is full of fun activities and parades, which are the idealized perfect ways to ring in the snow season and love with the rest of the family in tow. Here, the motto is going big or going home, and this is reflected in their lavish lights, wreaths, and decorations, which just light up the whole place.
Location: It is a coastal Alaskan city southwest of Anchorage, situated at the mouth of the Kenai River.
Top 3 Things To Do In Alaska During Christmas 2024
Alaska is a fantastic place to spend a Christmas vacation. There are a number of great events happening in different places, and the town is in a full festive mood. Check out the top things to do here during Christmas.
1. Visit Winter Arts Faire in Ketchikan
Image Credit: Wknight94 for Wikimedia
Ketchikan hosts an annual winter arts fair, which features over 80 artisan crafts, including jewellery, pottery, and photography. In addition to checking out the work of these vendors, kids can also visit with Santa. Visiting this small island town is one of the best things to do in Alaska during Christmas.
2. Enjoy Festival Of Lights In Petersburg
Image Credit: Ninara for Wikimedia
Petersburg transforms into a winter wonderland during Christmas, starting with a tree-lighting ceremony. To explore Norwegian tradition, explore Petersburg during Christmas week and make the most of your holiday time.
3. Holiday Fair In Seward
Image Credit: Enrico for Wikimedia
Seward is a great place to spend Christmas with family in Alaska. Visit Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, and get a chance to see Santa Claus, and enjoy delicious food from a variety of vendors, lively music and beautiful ambience.
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Christmas in Alaska is a grand affair and its stunning valleys and pristine white snow makes the effects even more beautiful and magical. No matter the town, it will have its special festivals along with the mandatory Christmas tree all decked out like a beautiful night on a moonlit sea. In the holiday season, this tree brings families together under one roof. So, plan a trip to Alaska and indulge in the fun!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Alaska
Is December a good time to go to Alaska?
Yes, December is a great time to visit Alaska as it is a festive month. Also, there are greater chances to see the Northern Lights during December.
What is there to do in Alaska in December?
Some of the things to do in Alaska in winters are:
1. Rejuvenate at hot springs
2. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding
3. Go sledding at Hatcher Pass
How cold is Alaska in December?
Different parts of Alaska see different temperatures. The lowest can drop to -10 °C while the highest is around 5°C in the month of December.
What is Alaska like in winter?
Alaska is covered in a blanket of white snow with little to no sunshine during the winter season and it is the perfect chance to watch the Northern Lights here.
Is it always cold in Alaska?
Yes, Alaska is quite cold with the coldest summers and winters.
How far is the North Pole from Alaska?
The North Pole is located 7000kms away from Alaska.
How densely populated is Alaska?
Alaska is highly populated with a number of 7 lakhs approximately.
Can you see Russia from Alaska?
Yes, you can see Russia from Alaska through a village in Little Diomede.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
