Yukon Quest Alaska Dog Sled Race 

The Yukon Quest is a multi-day sled dog race showcasing teamwork, endurance, and the beauty of Interior Alaska. Watch mushers and their sled dogs tackle a legendary journey across Alaska’s winter wilderness in the ultimate test of strength and endurance. Teams will race across rugged backcountry terrain and face harsh winter conditions for the chance to win it all.  

Be sure to visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center on February 7 at 11 am to witness the start of this historic race.   

Yukon Quest Alaska 750 – The Ultimate Mushing Challenge 

A brand-new 750-mile long-distance course starts and finishes in Fairbanks. Teams will compete through rugged Interior Alaskan wilderness, stopping only at a handful of remote checkpoints. The mushers and their teams of sled dogs will race through Two Rivers, Circle, Fort Yukon, Beaver, Tanana, Nenana and more.  

80-Mile Fun Run – A Thrilling Intro to Competitive Mushing 

This shorter route to Two Rivers and back is great for new mushers and up-and-coming dog sled teams. In the perfect blend of challenge and sportsmanship, the 80-Mile Fun Run offers an exciting and supportive race experience for people who are new to the sport.  

When: February 7, 2026 

Where: Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, 101 Dunkel Street 

Hours: 11 am 

Admission: Free 

 

World Ice Art Championships 

From mid-February through March, visit the World Ice Art Championships, one of the largest ice art exhibitions in the world. Watch sculptors at work as they transform over four million pounds of “Arctic Diamond” ice into breathtaking sculptural masterpieces. Single Block Classic ice blocks weigh around 7,200 pounds, while Multi-Block Classic sculptures can reach 20 tons and tower more than 25 feet tall. Ice in Fairbanks is famous for being the best in the world for sculpting. 

The event also features the Ice Art Park, a park made entirely of ice, with slides, mazes, life-sized sculptures, an ice stage, skating rink, obstacle course, ice ping-pong, chess and larger-than-life ice sculptures of animals and characters for kids to climb on. 

Competitions will include the Single Block Classic, Double Block Classic, Multi-Block Classic, the Fairbanks Open Classic and the Youth Classic for high school students. 

Fun fact: More than 100 ice artists from around the globe carve more than four million pounds of ice which is harvested from a pond along the Old Richardson Highway. The ice is clear enough to read a newspaper through a four-foot-thick ice block. 

When: February 16-March 31, 2026 (weather permitting) 

Where: Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, 1800 College Road 

Hours: Noon-10 pm 

Admission: Adult $20, Children $10 

 

Festival of Native Arts 

The Festival of Native Arts features performances by Native peoples from Alaska, across North America, Japan, Russia, and Canada. Festival attendees can see art demonstrations, cultural films and traditional songs and dances (and occasionally join in too). The festival is also a venue to purchase authentic arts and crafts directly from Native artisans.   

The festival began in 1973 when UAF students and faculty brought to life the idea of an Alaska Native festival centered on artistic expression. The festival continues as a beloved local tradition, organized exclusively by Alaska Native students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This year’s theme: “Elevating Our Strength in Unity” emphasizes the power of community and echoes the festival’s founding purpose: uniting indigenous peoples and sharing their cultures.  

Come celebrate Alaska Native and Indigenous cultures from across the globe through dance, music, and art at this iconic Fairbanks festival. 

When: February 26-28, 2026 

Where: UAF Davis Concert Hall, 1708 Tanana Loop 

Hours: 5-10 pm 

Admission: Free