MAIN Christmas USA Christmas in Alaska

With an average annual snowfall measured in feet, not inches - as well as being home to wild reindeer, the Northern Lights, the North Pole (and some say even say the real Santa Claus!), Alaska seems a natural for celebrating Christmas.

DID YOU KNOW? Alaska Christmas fun facts

Anchorage's legendary "Snowzilla".

• 99705 is the "official" ZIP code of Santa. The post office in North Pole, Alaska receives hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa Claus, including from those wanting the town's postmark on their Christmas greeting cards. A community program also responds to letters addressed to 1 Santa Claus Lane.

• People still talk about "Snowzilla", the 22-foot snowman created in an Anchorage neighborhood in 2005. City Hall finally posted a cease-and-desist order in 2008 after the annual holiday attraction resulted in thousands of gawkers and monster traffic jams.

• The Russian Orthodox religion was established throughout Alaska by early missionaries, and today about 70 percent of the faithful are Aleuts and Eskimos. Each year, they continue the Christmas tradition of 'starring,' in which entire villages sing Christmas carols while following a priest carrying a twirling star representing the star of Bethlehem.

also see in Travel -> Alaska Tourist Attractions | Alaska Ski Resorts

More information about Christmas in Alaska around the Web:

Anchorage Holiday Food and Gift Festival - The annual blowout with information on family-friendly entertainment including Santa, caroling, food demos and craft vendors, plus details on times, dates and admission prices.

Christmas with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra - Seasonal fun at this year's annual concert with schedule and ticket information.

Alaska Winter Events - Check out the full array of holiday happenings including Colony Christmas in Palmer, the Talkenna Winterfest, and lots more with with photos, information, and related resources.