Christmas in Alaska is celebrated in much the same way as in other parts of the United States, with some unique regional and cultural influences. Here are some common ways in which Christmas is celebrated in Alaska:
Alaskans often decorate their homes with Christmas lights, ornaments, wreaths, and Christmas trees. Many residents, particularly in urban areas, use artificial trees because it can be challenging to find or transport real trees in the harsh winter conditions.
Given Alaska's stunning natural beauty, many Alaskans celebrate Christmas with outdoor activities. These may include ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and even participating in ice fishing. Some families make it a tradition to take a Christmas hike or go on a wilderness adventure.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a major attraction in Alaska, and if you're lucky, you might witness these breathtaking natural light displays during the Christmas season. They often add an extra layer of magic to the holiday.
Many Alaskan communities organize Christmas events, such as parades, tree-lighting ceremonies, and holiday markets. Some towns also have "Santa Claus House" or "North Pole" themed attractions.
Alaskan holiday meals often feature local ingredients like seafood, wild game, and regional dishes. You might find dishes like salmon, moose, caribou, or even halibut on the Christmas dinner table. Baking and sharing cookies, pies, and other sweets is also a common tradition.
In some parts of Alaska, indigenous cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating the holiday season. These celebrations may include traditional dances, storytelling, and the incorporation of indigenous artwork and crafts into the festivities.
Exchanging gifts is a central part of Christmas celebrations in Alaska, just as it is in the rest of the U.S. Families and friends gather to exchange presents, and Santa Claus is a beloved figure in Alaskan Christmas celebrations.
Many Alaskans attend Christmas Eve candlelight services at churches, where they sing carols and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
In Alaska, the winter solstice often coincides with the Christmas season. Some communities celebrate the solstice with special events and gatherings to welcome the return of longer daylight hours.
Alaskans are known for their strong sense of community, and many people participate in charitable activities during the holiday season, such as food drives, toy drives, and volunteering to help those in need.
While the way Christmas is celebrated in Alaska shares many similarities with other parts of the United States, the unique natural environment and cultural diversity of the state contribute to some distinctive traditions and experiences during the holiday season.
Most Alaskan Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, just as people do in the continent of the US. Santa Claus may arrive for a pre-Christmas visit, but, food, gift giving, and decorations are like what you might see in Texas or Wisconsin.
The songs sang at each home include Aleut words Gristuusaaq suu'uq, or Christ is born. Everyone joins in the closing words, Mnogaya leta, or god grant you many years. At the end of the carols the host provides carolers with maple-frosted doughnuts, cookies, candy, piruk, or fish pie, and sometimes smoked salmon.
In Alaska children wander from house to house carrying a colored star on a long pole, and singing carols.