Anchorage is the quintessential winter city. Walk along plowed city sidewalks during this special time of year and see silvery-white snowflakes swirling in the light beams cast by streetlights. Listen to holiday carolers as they stroll from a hotel lobby to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts lobby to a local art gallery.
Stop by the Hotel Captain Cook and see - not just a gingerbread house, but a full-blown gingerbread village on display with more than 1,500 pieces all precisely placed and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. On weekends, a horse-drawn carriage stands outside of the Hotel Captain Cook waiting to take visitors around town. Twinkling white lights flicker through the downtown corridor and radiate out into the neighborhoods - providing a bright, warm glow to an already gorgeous setting.
Warming barrels dot frozen Westchester Lagoon near downtown on weekends. Ice skating families pause to enjoy the fire’s bright heat before returning to the lagoon's smooth, icy surface. It's a perfect winter scene, happening daily throughout the season. Many weekends include music and a concession area featuring hot drinks and tasty food. Anchorage’s parks and recreation department maintains the ice throughout the season and has created a speed skating loop, an area for hockey, and a casual ice skating area. With views of downtown, the majestic Chugach Mountain Range, and the calm waters of Cook Inlet, Westchester Lagoon remains the gold standard for in-town winter fun. Best of all, it's free.
No holiday season is complete without shopping. Anchorage has an abundance of shopping opportunities from big name brands and big box stores, as well as small independent shops and galleries. However, nothing compares to the long list of Anchorage's craft show and holiday bazaars taking place fall through Christmas where you can pick up one-of-a-kind, Alaska made gifts.
There are a plethora of holiday events taking place in Anchorage too. Enjoy a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet, or attend the cherished and long-standing tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving, with a personal appearance by Santa and his (live) reindeer. Take a break from holiday shopping altogether and attend the Anchorage International Film Festival. Or stop by the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout for collegiate basketball action. Anchorage has it all.
Direct flights are available from many U.S. cities. Travel to Anchorage this holiday season and be part of an incredible, white and toasty warm holiday season. Check out the Anchorage Calendar of Events for a complete list of what to see and do while in one of America’s great winter cities.
