Holiday events bring art, music and lights to UAF campus

Holiday events bring art, music and lights to UAF campus

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host a variety of holiday events, offering chances to shop locally, enjoy student and community art and take in the sights and sounds of the season.

Here is a compilation of activities and events open to the public.

West Ridge Art Open House

Friday, Nov. 13, 4 to 6 p.m., Akasofu Building lobby

UAF science faculty, researchers, staff and students will share their creative talents in arts, crafts, writing and more. The Fairbanks Sogetsu flower-arranging group will create flower displays on site, and North Star Strings will provide music. For more information, contact Tohru Saito at [email protected].

LARS and Friends Holiday Market

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Margaret Murie Building lobby

The R.G. White Large Animal Research Station will bring its gift shop to campus for holiday shopping, featuring reindeer- and muskox-themed gifts, LARS merchandise, qiviut yarn and hand-knit items. Additional local vendors include DUO Goods, Geneva's Trading Post, the UAF Geophysical Institute, Morel Pottery, Robin Farmer Art and Pamela Sue Art & Designs. More information is available on Facebook, or contact Maddie Webb at [email protected], 907-474-5724.

UA Museum of the North Holiday Tree

December 2025, museum lobby

The museum's distinctive holiday tree will be decorated with polar bear ornaments donated by the estate of Grace Berg Schaible. Admission to the museum lobby, store and cafe is free; regular admission applies to the galleries. For holiday shoppers, the store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It features handcrafted art and Alaska-inspired gifts, with works from Alaska Native artists, Fairbanks makers and creators from around the state. More information is available on the museum website.

Annual Student Art Sale

Friday, Dec. 4, noon to 6 p.m., Art Wing, Fine Arts Complex

The annual sale features ceramics, prints, sculptures and metalwork created by UAF art students. The sale is co-hosted by the Student Ceramics Art Guild, the Student Art Alliance of the North, the Student Learning Arts Guild and the Alaska Metal Arts Guild. Proceeds benefit the student artists and their organizations. Dec. 4 is also the last day to see the 16th Annual Art Student Invitational Exhibition in the UAF Gallery, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information is available on the art sale website, or call 907-474-7530.

LARS Pop-Up Gift Shop

Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Large Animal Research Station

Holiday shoppers can support the Large Animal Research Station by buying qiviut yarn and knit items, muskox nose prints, LARS merchandise, stuffed animals, books and more at the station's winter gift shop, located at the back of the facility. Admission is free. The shop is located down the LARS driveway. Visitors will need to open a gate, drive through and close the gate behind them. For more information, contact Maddie Webb at [email protected], 907-474-5724.

Choir of the North Holiday Concert

Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Davis Concert Hall

The Choir of the North will perform holiday anthems by Derric Johnson and lead an audience sing-along of classic carols after intermission. A holiday bake sale will also be held. Admission is free for UAF students and children 12 and under; $5 for non-UAF students, seniors and military; and $10 for general admission. Concert reservations are available online. Call 907-474-7555 for more information.

Arctic Lights at the Georgeson Botanical Garden

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 10, 2025, to Jan. 16, 2027, 5 to 9 p.m.

Thousands of colorful lights will illuminate the garden's winter paths in December and January. Admission is by donation; all donations go to the Georgeson Botanical Garden Friends to support garden staff and operations. Parking is limited. Please note: The lights will not be turned on when the temperature is minus 40 degrees or colder. If temperatures stay that cold for the entire run of the show, the garden may extend the viewing dates. More information is available on the website, or contact Lacey Higham, [email protected], 907-474-6922.

UAF Jolly Jamboree

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 6:30 to 8 p.m., online

The UAF Department of Music's free virtual holiday concert will premiere on YouTube. It features music from all of the department's large ensembles - the Jazz Combo, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Northern Lights String Orchestra, Choir of the North and Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra. The concert also raises money for the UAF Summer Musicians Student Award, and donations are appreciated. More information is available on the Facebook event page, or call 907-474-7555.

UA Museum Open House

Saturday, Jan. 30, noon to 4 p.m., museum lobby

Visitors can meet staff and researchers while touring galleries and behind-the-scenes labs. Hands-on activities will be available for children and families. Admission is free. More information is available on the museum website.

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