Alaska has 4 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Zoo Lights in Anchorage on November 27 to Brighter Winter Nights in Anchorage, which runs through January 3. 1 of them is free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.
The short version
- 4 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Alaska for 2026, in Anchorage and Seward
- First: Zoo Lights, Anchorage, November 27. Runs latest: Zoo Lights, Anchorage, through January 3
- Free: Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Alaska Christmas train rides page.
Alaska Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 4 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Anchorage and Seward
- Season
- November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- holiday lights, holiday crafts and story time with Santa
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Alaska Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Zoo Lights in Anchorage on November 27; the last runs to January 3. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Zoo LightsAnchorage · Nov 27 to Jan 3
- Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife CenterSeward · Dec 2
- Brighter Winter NightsAnchorage · Dec 3 to Jan 3
- Christmas for the Animals + Artisans BazaarAnchorage · Dec 13
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Alaska? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Anchorage
3 confirmed events for kids in Anchorage, soonest first.
Anchorage: Zoo Lights
Holiday lightsThe Alaska Zoo · Anchorage
- Host
- The Alaska Zoo (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
- When
- Fri November 27, Fri December 4, Fri December 11 and Fri December 18, 2026, 5 to 8 pm
- Cost
- $25 ages 16 and up, $15 ages 15 and under, ages 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Zoo Lights turns the wooded trails of the Alaska Zoo into an evening walk through custom animated light displays, trailside lights and overhead canopies. There is a polar bear bench set up for photos, which makes it an easy spot for a holiday picture with the kids.
The season opens Thanksgiving weekend and runs on Friday to Sunday weekends in early December, then every night from December 18 through January 3, except Christmas Day when the zoo is closed. Hours are 5 to 8 pm. Tickets are $25 for ages 16 and up and $15 for ages 15 and under, with children 2 and under free. Zoo members ages 3 and up get 30 percent off. Tickets are sold online with a small service fee and at the gate during open hours. The zoo also runs a Cyber Monday online sale on November 30.
Parent tip: Dress for an outdoor evening walk. Members save 30 percent at the gate or online when signed in, and Cyber Monday (Nov 30) brings an online only discount.
See dates and details from The Alaska Zoo (opens in a new tab)Anchorage: Brighter Winter Nights
Holiday lightsAlaska Botanical Garden · Anchorage
- Host
- Alaska Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Alaska Botanical Garden, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
- When
- Thu December 3 (5 to 8 pm), Fri December 4 (5 to 8 pm), Sat December 5 (5 to 8 pm), Sun December 6 (5 to 8 pm), Thu December 10 (5 to 8 pm), Fri December 11 (5 to 8 pm), Sat December 12 (5 to 8 pm), Sun December 13 (5 to 8 pm), Thu December 17 (5 to 8 pm) and Fri December 18 (4:30 to 8:30 pm), 2026
- Cost
- $12 off-peak, $16 peak; free for members and kids 6 and under (registration required)
- Ages
- All ages
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Brighter Winter Nights turns the Alaska Botanical Garden into an evening winter wonderland with botanical themed light displays, ice luminarias, cozy firepits, a kicksled trail and a model train. Most families spend 45 minutes to an hour on the path. Tea, hot chocolate and cider are sold in the Greenhouse, and you are asked to bring your own mug since no disposable cups are provided.
In early December the garden is open Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 8 pm at $12 per non-member. From December 18 through January 3 it is open every evening except Christmas and New Year's Day, 4:30 to 8:30 pm, at $16. Members and kids 6 and under are free but must still be registered. All tickets must be bought in advance, and last entry is 30 minutes before close. The event is almost entirely outdoors.
Parent tip: Register kids 6 and under even though they are free, and bring a mug for hot drinks. Dress warmly, since nearly everything is outside.
See dates and details from Alaska Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)Anchorage: Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar
Story time with SantaThe Alaska Zoo · Anchorage
- Host
- The Alaska Zoo (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
- When
- Sunday, December 13, 2026, 10 am to 8 pm
- Cost
- Regular zoo admission until 5 pm, Zoo Lights rates after 5 pm; members free for Zoo Lights
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas for the Animals is a family tradition at the Alaska Zoo that dates back to the 1970s. Families bring food donations and stuff the large stockings hung at each animal habitat, and you are welcome to bring a sled, cart or bag to haul gifts to your favorite animals. The zoo posts a list of suitable items, such as frozen fish, unsalted nuts, peanut butter, pet treats and canned pumpkin.
The day also includes storytime and Santa photos in the Discovery Center, caroling by local groups at the bonfire near the old admissions area, the petting zoo and an Artisans Bazaar in Gateway Hall from noon to 6 pm. Stockings come down at 6 pm, and Zoo Lights runs from 5 to 8 pm. Non-members pay regular admission until 5 pm and Zoo Lights rates after that. Members get free Zoo Lights entry this evening.
Parent tip: Check the zoo's list of accepted food donations before you shop, and bring a sled or bag to carry them. Stockings are taken down at 6 pm.
See dates and details from The Alaska Zoo (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Seward
1 confirmed event for kids in Seward, soonest first.
Seward: Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Holiday craftsFreeAlaska SeaLife Center · Seward
- Host
- Alaska SeaLife Center (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Avenue, Seward, AK 99664
- When
- Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 6 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All are welcome
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Alaska SeaLife Center opens its doors in Seward for a free community holiday party on a Wednesday evening in early December. The center describes it as a fun event where everyone is welcome, with cookie decorating, crafts and more to help families get into the holiday spirit.
The party runs from 6 to 8 pm and is supported by the Seward Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation, and the Seward Arts Council. The center notes that more event details are coming, so it is worth checking the listing again closer to the date for the full lineup of activities. For families in Seward and the eastern Kenai Peninsula, it is an easy, no cost way to start the season indoors with the kids.
Parent tip: The center says more details are coming soon, so check the listing the week of the party.
See dates and details from Alaska SeaLife Center (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in Washington, Christmas events for kids in Oregon and Christmas events for kids in Idaho list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonAlaska Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Alaska in 2026?
We confirmed 4 Christmas events for kids in Alaska for 2026 on each host’s own page: Zoo Lights in Anchorage (November 27), Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward (December 2), Brighter Winter Nights in Anchorage (December 3) and Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar in Anchorage (December 13). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Anchorage, Alaska?
For families in and around Anchorage, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Zoo Lights (Weekends from Nov 27, then nightly Dec 18 to Jan 3, 5 to 8 pm, $25 ages 16 and up, $15 ages 15 and under, ages 2 and under free); Brighter Winter Nights (Thu to Sun, Dec 3 to 17, 5 to 8 pm; nightly Dec 18 to Jan 3, 4:30 to 8:30 pm, $12 off-peak, $16 peak; free for members and kids 6 and under (registration required)); Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar (Sun, Dec 13, 10 am to 8 pm, regular zoo admission until 5 pm, zoo lights rates after 5 pm; members free for zoo lights). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Anchorage section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Seward, Alaska?
For families in and around Seward, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center (Wed, Dec 2, 6 to 8 pm, free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Seward section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Alaska?
Yes. 1 of the 4 events here are free: Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Alaska this December?
Santa appears at Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar in Anchorage (December 13). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Alaska?
Holiday story times on this page: Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar in Anchorage. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Are there kids' Christmas events in Alaska on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Zoo Lights in Anchorage (through January 3) and Brighter Winter Nights in Anchorage (through January 3).
How much is Zoo Lights in Anchorage?
$25 ages 16 and up, $15 ages 15 and under, ages 2 and under free. Zoo Lights is on Fri November 27, Fri December 4, Fri December 11 and Fri December 18, 2026, 5 to 8 pm at The Alaska Zoo. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward?
Free. Community Holiday Party at the Alaska SeaLife Center is on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 6 to 8 pm at Alaska SeaLife Center. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Brighter Winter Nights in Anchorage?
$12 off-peak, $16 peak; free for members and kids 6 and under (registration required). Brighter Winter Nights is on Thu December 3 (5 to 8 pm), Fri December 4 (5 to 8 pm), Sat December 5 (5 to 8 pm), Sun December 6 (5 to 8 pm), Thu December 10 (5 to 8 pm), Fri December 11 (5 to 8 pm), Sat December 12 (5 to 8 pm), Sun December 13 (5 to 8 pm), Thu December 17 (5 to 8 pm) and Fri December 18 (4:30 to 8:30 pm), 2026 at Alaska Botanical Garden. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar in Anchorage?
Regular zoo admission until 5 pm, Zoo Lights rates after 5 pm; members free for Zoo Lights. Christmas for the Animals + Artisans Bazaar is on Sunday, December 13, 2026, 10 am to 8 pm at The Alaska Zoo. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Alaska?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Alaska Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
