Good morning, Anchorage.

Anchorage neighborhoods glow with holiday spirit as families decorate homes with festive lights (even as the Hunts adapt after Hermon’s hospital stay) while locals on 100th Ave near Bayshore Dr. and in West Northern Lights and Jefford Place keep cherished traditions alive.

The Anchorage Fire Department cut an ice hole at Goose Lake on Thursday to prep for Saturday’s annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics Alaska; the first plungers (Team GCI) will jump at 10 a.m. as over 750 participants are expected.

Anchorage Weekender shares nine holiday events for locals.

Highlights include a free Solstice Tree Tour at Kincaid Park on Saturday at 4 p.m. with hot chocolate available and Santa Skis Free at Alyeska Resort on Wednesday, Dec. 17 when costumed participants can ski for free.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska said it will close later this month because of financial difficulties (delayed government funding and rising costs) and directed families to seek childcare at the YMCA and Thread.

Two Old Women, a short film adapted by Princess Daazhraii Johnson from a classic Alaskan legend, will launch the sold-out Native Voices showcase at the Anchorage International Film Festival at 3 p.m. Saturday (an encore screening is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at the Anchorage Museum).

Students at Bartlett High School learned about ocean technology on Thursday, Dec.

11 at their school pool. The hands-on session featured ocean gliders (and wave buoys, ROVs, water pressure devices, and marine microbiology) with experts discussing related career paths.

Anchorage School District operates with ten school resource officers instead of the full 15, raising concerns about school security.

APD officers work overtime to cover gaps+ there are plans to fill the remaining positions soon.

Local wildlife biologists are studying lynx presence in the Chilkat Valley by using trail cameras and community reports amid past peaks recorded in 2019-20.

Researcher Liz Hofer says rising hare numbers may trigger increased lynx activity (with a potential resident population in the next two to three years).

State biologists reported that the Western Arctic Caribou Herd dropped to 121,000—prompting a local working group to consider tighter hunting restrictions to protect subsistence for rural residents.

The three-day meeting began Tuesday in Anchorage.

Federal fishery managers used last year’s data to set Alaskan pollock harvest limits after the government shutdown delayed completing 2025 reports; the council kept Bering Sea limits near current levels and cut Gulf of Alaska limits at its Dec.

6 meeting (held at the Egan Civic and Convention Center).

The U.S. government bought a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals for $38 million to help boost domestic resource production in the Ambler area.

The deal, announced last October, gives the government the option to acquire an extra 7.5% and a board seat after the Ambler road is built.

Alaska residents hurt by October storms, floods, and Typhoon Halong have until January 8 to apply for state disaster aid.

The program covers repair costs for homes, vehicles — and medical, dental, or funeral expenses in several affected areas.

Anchorage Fire Department is managing an aging fleet while awaiting new apparatus expected to arrive by winter.

Fire Chief Doug Schrage said past local bond decisions delayed equipment replacement and repairs have increased as emergency calls continue to rise.

Anchorage has seen a dramatic rise in pedestrian deaths, and experts discussed safety challenges and potential changes on a recent broadcast from Alaska Public Media on Wednesday, Dec.

10. Transportation officials and local advocates emphasized the need to improve road safety to protect community wellbeing.

The Snow Globe Run

11 AM – 1 PM — Peanut Farm — Check for entry fees — Lace up for a festive run, walk, or cheer along at this community winter event.

Winter Solstice Festival

5-8 p.m. — Cuddy Family Midtown Park — Free entry — Celebrate the shortest day of the year with winter activities, warm festivities, and holiday cheer.

West Anchorage High School Basketball Game

6:00 – 7:15 PM — West Anchorage High School — Free entry — Catch an exciting girls basketball matchup at the local high school.

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings

8:30-9:30 p.m. — 49th State Brewing - Anchorage — $38 — Experience a magical evening of Christmas carols performed by a string quartet in candlelight.

Alaska Winter Survival Day Camp

10 AM – 3 PM — Anchorage Museum — Check website for pricing — Engage in fun S.T.E.A.M activities exploring survival in Alaskan winters.

New Year's Eve in Anchorage 2025-2026

7-9 p.m. — Chinook — Free entry — Celebrate the New Year with fireworks and live music in Anchorage's downtown area.

Anchorage Symphony - Silent Film Night

7:30 p.m. — Anchorage Symphony Orchestra — Ticketed event — Enjoy a unique pairing of live symphonic music with classic silent films.