The small town of North Pole, Alaska, 14 miles southeast of the city of Fairbanks in the center of Alaska, is accessible by air, road and rail. Fly in to Fairbanks International Airport, then take the Alaska Railroad or drive along the Richardson Highway to North Pole.
In December, the town of North Pole comes alive with Christmas spirit. The village was featured on HGTV as one of the top 10 Christmas towns in America, especially for its Christmas in Ice Festival. Fun winter outdoor activities are available, as well as area accommodations and dining.
North Pole Holiday Activities
The Christmas in Ice Festival, from December 5 – January 3, is an outdoor event for singles and families:
- Ice carving will take place Dec. 5 – 6 as international sculptors chisel, melt and carve large blocks of ice into Christmas-themed works of art at the Santaland R.V. Park. After 29 hours, time is up for the ice sculptors and judging begins.
- The awards ceremony takes place Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. for the two-day invitational ice-carving contest.
- Fireworks light up the night sky on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. at the North Pole Plaza Mall on Santa Claus Lane.
- The Candle-Lighting Ceremony is Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at North Pole High School. The annual event features musical performances and crowning of the North Pole King and Queen.
- The Tree Lighting Ceremony illumines a huge Christmas tree at the North Pole’s Santaland R.V. Park on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
- Visitors can view the lighted ice sculptures, take in music and entertainment, and have food and beverages in the heated concession area through January 3.
- Children enjoy sledding down large and small ice slides, playing on features in the children’s play area at the ice festival.
North Pole Outdoor Winter Activities
Fun outdoor winter activities abound in the town of North Pole (where lamp posts, in the shape of candy canes with curved tops, light streets named Kris Kringle Drive and Santa Claus Lane) and nearby Fairbanks:
- Viewing the Northern Lights, soft-glowing lights that paint the sky in ethereal colors, from the Fairbanks area is the best place on earth to view the Aurora Borealis. Chena Hot Springs Resort’s aurorium was built specially for viewing the Northern Lights.
- Skiing — from cross-country to downhill, there are many trails and ski areas as well as equipment rentals in the Fairbanks area.
- Dog mushing is a traditional Alaskan winter activity. Many local kennels offer dog sled rides and mushing instruction.
- Skijoring, where a harnessed sled dog pulls a skier or a sled and skier along snow-covered trails, is available around central Alaska.
- Snowmobiling, locally known as snow machining, is so popular in Alaska that Santa uses a snowmobile to pull Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and his sleigh around North Pole.
- Sledding, snow tubing and building outdoor bonfires are also fun outdoor winter activities around North Pole.
Lodging in North Pole and Fairbanks, Alaska
Accommodations in central Alaska are easier to find and less expensive in the winter than during the busy summer months:
- Hotel North Pole, in the heart of the town of North Pole, is a 71-unit, extended stay lodge.
- Beaver Lake Resort Motel and Apartments, also in North Pole, offer spacious rooms, full-sized kitchens, and dry saunas for each building.
- All Seasons Bed and Breakfast Inn, in Fairbanks, is an elegant establishment similar to a small European hotel, with eight guest rooms with private bathrooms.
- Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, on the Chena River just outside of Fairbanks, is known for outstanding customer service, museum-quality Alaskan art collection, and rooms with views of the river, fireplaces and Jacuzzis.
Dining in North Pole and Fairbanks, Alaska
Alaska is known for its seafood, especially salmon, halibut and cod. Look for these seafood specials at area restaurants:
- Alaska Salmon Bake, in Fairbanks’ Pioneer Park, features fresh, all-you-can-eat prime rib, salmon, halibut, cod and salad.
- The Elf’s Den, in North Pole, is recommended for its beef Wellington, broasted chicken and tournedo steaks.
- The Pump House, just outside of Fairbanks, is housed in an historic building and sports a surf ‘n’ turf menu and oyster bar.
- Pagoda Restaurant offers fine dining in North Pole.
Visit the best Christmas town in Alaska and experience the North Pole’s Christmas in Ice Festival in December. Holiday vacations are complete with winter outdoor activities, lodging and dining in North Pole or Fairbanks, Alaska.
For more Northwest winter holiday vacations, visit Yellowstone National Park, Bavarian Leavenworth, Washington, or Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
HOL 101
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
