# February Fun in Southcentral Alaska: Your Guide to the Best Winter Events
Experience the Best of Alaska in February
February in Alaska brings longer days, colder temperatures, and an incredible lineup of winter events that make braving the chill 100% worth it. Whether you’re into craft beer, folk music, ice sculptures, or the thrill of watching people race reindeer through downtown Anchorage, there’s something for everyone. And if you’re reading this from Washington or California, this might just be your excuse to book a flight with Alaska Airlines and experience winter the right way—Alaska-style!
Here’s your guide to the top events happening in Southcentral Alaska this February.
🍻 Alaska Craft Brew & Barley Wine Festival
📅 February 1, 2025
📍 Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, Anchorage
Let’s start the month with what truly matters: beer. The Alaska Craft Brew & Barley Wine Festival is a must-attend event for beer lovers, featuring craft brews from Alaska, Washington, and California. Breweries showcase their finest work, including some bold barley wines—so pace yourself. Barley wine may sound fancy, but it’s basically beer with a PhD in alcohol content.
✅ Pro Tip: If you’re flying in from Seattle or Los Angeles, consider a quick weekend trip to Anchorage with Alaska Airlines and experience the best of Alaskan craft beer!
🎻 Anchorage Folk Festival
📅 January 23 – February 2, 2025
📍 2533 Providence Dr, Anchorage
If your idea of a good time involves live music, great energy, and avoiding frostbite, the Anchorage Folk Festival is for you. This free event features musicians from all over the country, including Washington and California, alongside Alaska’s best folk artists. Expect jam sessions, workshops, and plenty of toe-tapping tunes.
✅ Insider Tip: After a night of folk music, warm up in one of Anchorage’s cozy coffee shops or grab a locally brewed IPA from a downtown brewery.
🐕 Fur Rendezvous (Fur Rondy)
📅 February 20 – March 2, 2025
📍 Downtown Anchorage
Ah, Fur Rondy, Alaska’s most iconic winter festival. It’s got everything: dog sled races, snow sculptures, a carnival, and yes, the Running of the Reindeer, where humans literally race alongside reindeer in the streets. Only in Alaska, right?
Thinking about visiting? Alaska Airlines offers direct flights from Seattle, Portland, and California, so you can easily fly in, witness the controlled chaos, and head home with bragging rights.
✅ Don’t Miss: The Fur Rondy Outhouse Races—a competition that proves, once and for all, that Alaskans know how to have a good time.
❄️ World Ice Art Championships
📅 February 17 – March 31, 2025
📍 Tanana Valley Fairgrounds, Fairbanks
Okay, technically this is in Fairbanks, but it’s too good not to mention. The World Ice Art Championships showcase some of the most stunning ice sculptures you’ll ever see. Artists from around the world create massive, illuminated sculptures that look like something out of a winter fairy tale.
If you’re from California, and -30°F sounds like a nightmare, don’t worry—just wear all the layers and drink all the hot chocolate.
✅ Travel Hack: If you’re flying in from the Lower 48, make it a two-city trip—spend a few days in Anchorage for Fur Rondy, then hop over to Fairbanks to see the ice art and maybe catch the northern lights.
🪶 Festival of Native Arts
📅 February 27 – March 1, 2025
📍 Fine Arts Complex, UAF, Fairbanks
For an incredible cultural experience, the Festival of Native Arts brings together Alaska Native and Indigenous performers from across the state. Expect traditional songs, dance, and artwork celebrating Alaska’s rich Native heritage.
✅ Why Go? You’ll get to experience authentic Alaska Native culture, and you might even leave with a one-of-a-kind handmade craft or piece of art.
✈️ Plan Your Winter Adventure to Alaska!
So, what’s your excuse to stay indoors this February? Whether you’re flying in from Washington or California or you’re a local Alaskan looking for adventure, there’s something exciting happening every week.
If you need a place to stay while exploring, **book your winter getaway at **Alaska Nordic Creek Chalet for the ultimate cozy and scenic Alaskan experience!
➡️ Ready to explore Alaska?
Book your stay today with Alaska Nordic Creek Chalet and experience the best of Alaskan winter fun!
💬 Which event are you most excited for? Drop a comment below!
