Illustration of skaters on a frozen woodland pond with a bonfire on the bank and lanterns in the trees (Winter Solstice Festival)
Other Christmas Activities

Winter Solstice Festival

Fairbanks celebrates the longest night of the year with festive storefronts, local vendors, and twinkling light displays along the Winter Lights Walk. Activities include reindeer photos, a dog-mushing track, and free hot chocolate right in the heart of downtown.

Dec 11 – Dec 19, 2026 All ages Free.

Website / Tickets

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Plan Your Visit

Hours

Finale Day: fireworks at 8:00pm.

Neighborhood

Downtown Fairbanks

Food & Drink

Free hot chocolate and seasonal treats from local vendors are available.

Parking

Friendly Parking Lots downtown, marked with signs, are open to the public on weekday evenings and weekends. Those lots and some streets close to parking overnight for plowing and sweeping.

Location

See it and nearby events on the map
Downtown Fairbanks · Fairbanks, AK Get Directions

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 ⚪ (4/5)

Best For

Families and visitors who enjoy outdoor winter festivals

Vibe

Festive and community-minded

Energy Level

Moderate

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

High

Tips & Advice

  • Bundle up before heading downtown, since this is an outdoor celebration of the longest night of the year in the heart of Fairbanks.
  • Stay off the river ice near the festival, because that area is marked off limits on the festival map.
  • Look for the Friendly Parking signs downtown, since private lots in that program open to the public on weekday evenings and weekends.
  • Stop at The Fudge Pot or the Morris Thompson Center to warm up and cast your vote in the Downtown Storefront Decoration Contest.
  • Walk the Winter Lights Walk in Griffin Park, which is open all day, and follow the numbered trees from one display to the next.

Special Events & Promotions

  • Finale Day wraps up the festival with Solstice Fireworks presented by Alyeska Pipeline at Golden Heart Plaza.
  • Downtown Storefront Decoration Contest, with voting at the warm-up stops at The Fudge Pot and the Morris Thompson Center.

Links & Contact

Run by Downtown Association of Fairbanks

Website / Tickets Contact

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do?

There are reindeer photos, free hot chocolate, the dog-mushing track and the Winter Lights Walk. Downtown also has decorated storefronts, local vendors and seasonal treats.

Is it good for kids?

Yes. The festival has holiday fun for all ages, with family-friendly activities throughout downtown.

Where is the Winter Lights Walk?

It's in Griffin Park and runs all day, with numbered light-display trees along the way.

Where can we warm up?

The Fudge Pot and the Morris Thompson Center are warm-up stops. You can also vote in the Downtown Storefront Decoration Contest there.

Where should we park?

Look for Friendly Parking Lots signs downtown. Those private lots are open to the public on weekday evenings and on weekends.

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

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Contributors & Updates

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