Holidays

Santa and Mrs. Claus wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Making the most of winter break

Holiday festivities include crafting, caroling, scavenger hunts and a whole lot of Santa

Santa and Mrs. Claus wait for children to arrive during Breakfast with Santa at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Jenna Bedford, of Kenai Reindeer Farm, sits next to her reindeer with Juliana Bedford during the Fourth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar at the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai on Saturday.

Reindeer on the town

Antlered animals are making appearances at bazaars and holiday events

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Jenna Bedford, of Kenai Reindeer Farm, sits next to her reindeer with Juliana Bedford during the Fourth Annual Holiday Cheer Christmas Bazaar at the Old Carrs Mall in Kenai on Saturday.
Santa Claus hugs Paul Cook during Christmas in the Park festivities at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna brings holiday cheer

Christmas in the Park drew hundreds to meet Santa Claus, go on sleigh rides, sip hot cocoa and listen to music

Santa Claus hugs Paul Cook during Christmas in the Park festivities at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus greets Hudson Reinhardt during Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Getting into the holiday spirit

Christmas arrives in Kenai with fireworks, Santa and a lot of rain

Santa Claus greets Hudson Reinhardt during Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Creating a winter wonderland

Christmas in the Park to bring Santa, sleigh rides, fireworks on Saturday

Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Lamm, Coltin Yancey and Chef Stephen Lamm plate and serve the Thanksgiving meal at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A day to be thankful’

Thanksgiving at the food bank is a community celebration

Jesse Lamm, Coltin Yancey and Chef Stephen Lamm plate and serve the Thanksgiving meal at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas tree cutting on refuge opens Thanksgiving

Tree cutting will be open until Christmas Day

Spruce trees are dusted with snow on Dec. 22, 2020, in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Soldotna, Alaska. Some areas of the refuge are open to harvest of holiday trees for non-commercial uses beginning Thanksgiving. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Santa Claus waves from the top of a Kenai Fire Department fire engine during the “Christmas Comes to Kenai” parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Santa, fireworks to return for Christmas Comes to Kenai

Festivities will kick off Friday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m., then run through the day with the parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 7 p.m.

Santa Claus waves from the top of a Kenai Fire Department fire engine during the “Christmas Comes to Kenai” parade on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Thanksgiving dinners are assembled at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Thanksgiving luncheon draws a crowd at Kenai Senior Center

The Hilcorp-sponsored annual event is an opportunity to gather and eat in celebration of the holidays

Thanksgiving dinners are assembled at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gingerbread houses constructed by 4-year-old Izzy and 5-year-old Judah are displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Candied community

Gingerbread artists construct more than houses

Gingerbread houses constructed by 4-year-old Izzy and 5-year-old Judah are displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tis the season of craft fairs

Across the peninsula, community organizations host holiday vendors

Vendors sell wares to attendees of the Vintage Collectibles and Craft Show at the Kenai Senior Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the food bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank seeks support for turkey fundraiser

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is asking the community to help provide more than 1,000 turkeys to peninsula residents

A Kenai Peninsula Food Bank truck in the food bank parking lot on Aug. 4, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.

Kenai chamber accepting submissions for 11th gingerbread house contest

Winners will be announced Dec. 21

A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion) Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A gingerbread house designed by Ulysses Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Easter brings egg hunting and seasonal feasts to the central peninsula

There will be several opportunities for children to chase eggs and families to partake in some seasonal eating

Kenai Parks and Recreation Laborer Charlotte Thurman dresses up as a rabbit at an Easter event at Kenai Municipal Park on Friday, April 2, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas services scheduled for Saturday, Sunday

Local churches and religious organizations will be hosting special holiday services

The Christ Lutheran Church is seen on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Gingerbread houses rule

10th annual gingerbread house competition returns to Kenai Chamber of Commerce

Gingerbread houses are displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas in the Park welcomes the holiday season to Soldotna

Santa headlines celebration with caroling, Nativity, cocoa and fireworks

Kinley Ferguson tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during Christmas in the Park festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children decorate Christmas cookies, part of Christmas Comes to Nikiski festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Christmas crafts and Santa photos

Nikiski holds start of annual December celebration

Children decorate Christmas cookies, part of Christmas Comes to Nikiski festivities on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Forever Dance rings in the holidays with variety show

The show serves as a fun holiday tradition and an opportunity to get on stage early in the season

Hip-Hop students practice their routines for Forever Christmas on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at Forever Dance in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion Laura Black, owner of Fireweed Bakery, sells some of her wares during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 7, 2020.

Getting into the holiday spirit with crafts, bazaars and expos

Wares from local businesses and craftspeople will be on sale each weekend in November

Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion Laura Black, owner of Fireweed Bakery, sells some of her wares during the Merry Little Christmas Market at the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna, Alaska on Nov. 7, 2020.