Join us for a weeklong celebration of the Winter Solstice in Downtown Fairbanks!

Schedule of Events:

All Day: Moose on the Loose Local Scavenger Hunt at Downtown

12 - 4:00pm: Dog Sled Rides at Griffin Park

Mark Your Calendar for The Winter Solstice Festival Downtown! Join us during our finale day on Saturday, December 20th at from Noon - 4PM for an unique dog sledding ride through Griffin Park.

Suggested donation for rides is $10, all donations go to the Noble Paws.

4:30 - 7:30pm: Winter Lights Walk Voting at Morris Thompson or Yukon Quest

Join us during the annual Winter Lights Walk during the Winter Solstice Festival! Local businesses sponsor and decorate trees along the downtown portion of the Chena River Walk, in Griffin Park to fundraise for local charities. 

Bonus, the winning business will choose a charity to donate the profits from the event! Join us downtown during the Winter Solstice Festival on 12/20 and vote on your favorite tree!

5:30 - 7:30pm: Reindeer Pictures and Hot Cocoa at Golden Heart Plaza

Come join us downtown Saturday, December 20th from 5:30 - 7:30pm  for professional photographs with live reindeer and an elf! The professional pictures will be posted to The Downtown Association's Facebook page for the public to retrieve.

While you’re downtown, come join us and experience the Winter Solstice Festival with a warm and cozy drink to sip on during the festivities thanks to Rylieh Bodyfelt and her team!

8:00pm: Solstice Fireworks at Golden Heart Plaza

Join us on Saturday, December 20th at 8 PM for an exciting fireworks show, brought to you by Alyeska Pipeline and supported by our generous sponsors.

The fireworks will be launched from Shoreway Park, on the north side of the Chena River, right in the heart of downtown. There are plenty of parking and viewing options nearby, but please note that the south side of the river is the best location to watch the show. For safety reasons, viewing on top of the river ice is not permitted and the bridges will be closed to foot traffic during the show.