Stay and Play:
For many people, wintertime in Alaska means it is time to bundle up and hunker down for the holidays. With New Year’s Eve events across town, you can experience the excitement and celebration without traveling far from home.
• Town Square Park: Light up the night from Town Square Park with music, food trucks and fireworks in downtown Anchorage from 5p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Zoo Lights: Stroll through the dazzling lights display at the Alaska Zoo’s family-friendly event from 5p.m. – 8 p.m. Sip on hot cocoa, swing by the playground and watch the animal-themed displays illuminate the trails.
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Raise a glass and celebrate in style with Sullivan’s special New Year’s Eve menu. Make reservations in advance to guarantee a spot.
• Torchlight Parade: Have a holiday staycation with Alyeska Resort’s annual Torchlight Parade, as skiers and snowboarders hit the trails with red torches in hand. Continue the celebration with fireworks at 8p.m. or head to dinner at the onsite restaurant, Seven Glaciers.
• Humpy’s Great Alaskan Ale House: Dance like it’s 1980 with rock band, I Love Robots, at Humpy’s, and end the night with a midnight champagne toast.
Weekend Getaway:
Spice up the holidays with a quick road trip out of town. For easy holiday travel, hop on board the Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter Train on Saturday, December 30th, and head north to Talkeetna or Fairbanks. Ring in the New Year, and return on Wednesday, January 3rd.
• Sparktacular Fireworks in Fairbanks: Celebrate the New Year as the University of Alaska Fairbanks celebrates its centennial with a sparktacular fireworks display. Held at the Museum of the North, the event kicks off at 8 p.m., and includes cocoa and cookies.
• Chena Hot Springs: Celebrate the start of the new year under Mother Nature’s own lights display – the aurora borealis! Get a midnight aurora wake-up call or watch all night from the warmth of the aurorium-heated log cabin.
• Talkeetna: Have a romantic weekend escape in the quaint town of Talkeetna. Hold off on new year’s resolutions and grab a pie from the famous Talkeetna Roadhouse for the trip home.
