Only-in-Anchorage Winter Traditions

Havana, Cuba ### Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes del Morro (Morro Castle) 23.1503, -82.3570 Willowbrook, Illinois ### TWA Flight 529 Memorial 41.7793, -87.9544 Madrid, Spain ### Facade of the Former Mármoles Molina Shop 40.4140, -3.7065 Budapest, Hungary ### Ruins of the Ferenc József Bridge 47.4859, 19.0539 ### Only-in-Anchorage Winter Traditions Sponsored By Visit Anchorage, Alaska ### Anchorage: A City Within the Wild Sponsored By Visit Anchorage, Alaska ### Where to See the World’s Creepiest Dolls and Toys 2 hours ago ### Where to See the World’s Most Famous Preserved Body Parts 7 days ago Gaze up at the northern lights, ski past illuminated trees, and experience Anchorage’s vibrant folk traditions. Winter brings out the best of Anchorage. Under a blanket of snow, the city comes alive with festivals exploring regional history, lively tributes to Indigenous culture, decades-old sled dog races, and comfort food best enjoyed with friends and family.

Here, Alaska’s adventurous spirit is felt in the traditions of diverse communities and seasonal occasions that offer a little something for everyone. Whether you’re taking in the shimmering colors of the aurora borealis from a snowmobile or enjoying films by up-and-coming artists at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, there’s no shortage of events to make a winter in Anchorage one for the books. Family-friendly options include reindeer visits, food truck parks, hot chocolate socials, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Courtesy of Visit Anchorage Translating to “winter” in Dena’ina Athabascan, the name of this month-long celebration honors Anchorage’s First People — “heyi” is the Dena’ina word for winter. It’s prime time to enjoy winter outdoors, check out local arts markets, and enjoy seasonal community events like solstice. There’s also delicious food left and right, from Alaska halibut tacos to Himalayan curries and steamed dumplings best enjoyed by an outdoor fire.

While unique events unfold each day, the whole city comes alive with lights and music. Many parks host ice rinks and ski loops, some of which give you an up-close look at Anchorage’s wildlife, from moose to hares to foxes. The festival has a curated lineup of over 100 independent films.

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Available Nov 10, 2026 Alaska’s biggest celebration of independent film is a can’t-miss event for filmmakers and cinephiles alike. Along with screenings of short and feature-length projects, guests can attend Q&A sessions and panel discussions or participate in workshops and networking events. While artists from all over the world screen their works here, the festival is especially focused on growing and sustaining Alaska’s film community, as well as providing a greater platform for Indigenous voices.