Holidays and Seasonal Events

The whale sculpture at Overstreet park breaches at sunrise on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Dec. 22-28

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

 

Juneau as pictured from the Downtown Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)

Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Dec. 15-21

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

 

Downtown Juneau experiences its first significant city-level snow fall of the season as pictured on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)

Weekend guide for Dec. 12-14

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at jahc.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

 

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Gallery Walk guide for Friday, Dec. 5

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council and the Downtown Business Association announced community events taking place during Gallery Walk on First Friday, Dec. 5, 2025… Continue reading

Browsers crowd into Annie Kaill’s gallery and gift shop during the 2024 Gallery Walk. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offers staffs, salves and more at the Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 28. (Mari Kanagy /Juneau Empire)

Five faces of the Juneau Public Market

Of the more than 175 vendors, the Empire spoke to five across different mediums.

Michael Wilson of Keet Enterprises offers staffs, salves and more at the Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 28. (Mari Kanagy /Juneau Empire)
Hundreds of people pack into Treadwell Arena on Friday night for a free Santa Skate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Seasonal events guide for the end of November

Skating and feasting and shopping, oh my!

Hundreds of people pack into Treadwell Arena on Friday night for a free Santa Skate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)

It’s Memorial Day for many, but just one of many memorial days for some who were in battle

Tributes at annual ceremonies in Juneau note major historic achievement and unseen individual sufferings.

Volunteers salute wreaths at the Juneau Memorial Day Service hosted by American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 at Alaskan Memorial Park on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Aleijah Fulmer, 6, deposits the plastic shells of eggs in a basket after removing the candy inside during the Molly of Denali EGG-Stravaganza at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Video

UAS celebrates ‘Molly of Denali’ Emmy win with watch party and Easter egg hunt

Award for Native language instructor who wrote episode gives university a reason to resurrect egg event.

Aleijah Fulmer, 6, deposits the plastic shells of eggs in a basket after removing the candy inside during the Molly of Denali EGG-Stravaganza at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire) (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Video
Hundreds of people plunge into Auke Rec on New Year’s Day in Juneau. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Starting the New Year off right with the northern lights and a big dipper

Juneau residents make a splash in sub-40°F water during 34th annual Polar Bear Dip.

Hundreds of people plunge into Auke Rec on New Year’s Day in Juneau. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Elementary Division action at the 32nd Annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Dimond Park Field House. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

New Year’s Eve champions crowned at Holiday Cup

Nutmeggers, Tinsel Toes, Jingle Ballers, Iced Out, Chilkat Bandits, and Eggnog & Nutmegs win.

Elementary Division action at the 32nd Annual Holiday Cup Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Dimond Park Field House. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Holiday Cup finals on Tuesday

The 32nd annual Holiday Cup soccer tournament will feature their six divisional championship matches Tuesday at the Dimond Park Field House. The annual gathering of… Continue reading

Reindeer Rangers player Maddie Dale and Tinsel Toes player El Lasinski play a ball during the Holiday Cup middle school semifinals Monday at Dimond Park Field House. Finals for all divisions are on Tuesday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Participants in the 2024 Solstice Sweater Shuffle pose for a photo at Lena Beach campground. (Photo courtesy race directors)

Solstice Sweater Shuffle brings style to shortest day of the year

A festive group of runners participated in the Solstice Sweater Shuffle on Saturday at the King Salmon Shelter at Lena Beach, marking the shortest day… Continue reading

Participants in the 2024 Solstice Sweater Shuffle pose for a photo at Lena Beach campground. (Photo courtesy race directors)
State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A moving holiday season for Juneau’s legislators

Delegation hosts annual open house as at least two prepare to occupy better offices as majority members.

State Rep. Sara Hannan talks with visitors outside her office at the Alaska State Capitol during the annual holiday open house hosted by Juneau’s legislative delegation on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Wet Bandits’ Shannon Hendricks and the Nutcrackers’ Kyle Hebert play a ball during the opening night of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament at the Dimond Park Field House on Wednesday. The 32nd annual holiday tournament runs through Dec. 31. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Mistletoe or turf toe

Forget the mistletoe. I fear it may be turf toe that tickles my fancy this holiday. December is arguably the best time of the year… Continue reading

The Wet Bandits’ Shannon Hendricks and the Nutcrackers’ Kyle Hebert play a ball during the opening night of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament at the Dimond Park Field House on Wednesday. The 32nd annual holiday tournament runs through Dec. 31. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Holiday Cup has been a community favorite event for years. This 2014 photo shows the Jolly Saint Kicks and Reigning Snowballs players in action. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Holiday Cup soccer action brings community spirit to the pitch

Every Christmas name imaginable heads a cast of futbol characters starting Wednesday.

The Holiday Cup has been a community favorite event for years. This 2014 photo shows the Jolly Saint Kicks and Reigning Snowballs players in action. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Law enforcement officers from several agencies accompanied by local youths purchase Christmas gifts at Fred Meyer on Saturday during the annual Shop With a Cop event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

In the presents of peace officers: Record-high 61 kids pick out gifts in annual Shop With A Cop

Officers from multiple agencies help pick out and wrap gifts for 32 families Saturday.

Law enforcement officers from several agencies accompanied by local youths purchase Christmas gifts at Fred Meyer on Saturday during the annual Shop With a Cop event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass rehearse for an annual Holiday Cheer concert Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Making 30 sound as one — and 11 sound as 60 — at annual Holiday Cheer concert this weekend

Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass performs Saturday and Sunday at TMMS.

Members of the Juneau Symphony, Vox Borealis and Sitka Holiday Brass rehearse for an annual Holiday Cheer concert Friday at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Home Health and Hospice program at Bartlett Regional Hospital, and family members of people who’ve been in such programs, gather for “Light Up a Life” community celebration Friday evening at the hospital. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Stabilizing local hospice and home health services celebrated as a gift at holiday gathering

“Light Up a Life” at Bartlett Regional Hospital offers tributes to those receiving end-of-life care.

Members of the Home Health and Hospice program at Bartlett Regional Hospital, and family members of people who’ve been in such programs, gather for “Light Up a Life” community celebration Friday evening at the hospital. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Charity collectors Peppin (played by Natalia Spenglere) and “Salt” played by (Roblin Gray Davis) try in vain to get a donation from Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Tom Robenolt) during Theater Alaska’s production of “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday at McPhetres Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Miners from Douglas in early 1900s put in shift work in Theater Alaska’s version of ‘A Christmas Carol’

Theater’s largest-ever production casts multiple people for roles, seeks to grow into annual tradition.

Charity collectors Peppin (played by Natalia Spenglere) and “Salt” played by (Roblin Gray Davis) try in vain to get a donation from Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Tom Robenolt) during Theater Alaska’s production of “A Christmas Carol” on Sunday at McPhetres Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
James Cheng, and his daughter Gwen, 1, help themselves to some of the 17,050 cookies being offered to visitors during the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

House of carbs: Sweet power trips and tooting of horns at Governor’s Holiday Open House

The best thing about 17,050 cookies is that they stack so neatly.

James Cheng, and his daughter Gwen, 1, help themselves to some of the 17,050 cookies being offered to visitors during the annual Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)