Family events in Fairbanks, AK

North Star Ballet invites dancers age 8 and older to audition for its production of The Nutcracker at the North Star Ballet Studios. Prior dance training is not required. Audition sessions are organized by age, and each child should attend the session that corresponds to their age on the day of the audition. Pre-registration is requested. Families are asked to complete at least two volunteer shifts during the rehearsal and performance period. The audition is free, and there is a $75 participation fee only for those cast to perform. This fee is waived for dancers who provide proof of enrollment in the free or reduced school lunch program or who receive NSB tuition assistance. Dress code guidelines are as follows: boys should wear a fitted white T-shirt with black leggings or shorts, black socks, and black ballet shoes; girls should wear a plain black short-sleeve leotard without a skirt, pink footed tights with pink ballet shoes, or tights and shoes that match their skin tone, with hair in a bun. If a dancer does not have the specified attire, leggings or shorts with a fitted T-shirt are acceptable, with socks or bare feet, and hair secured away from the face. For questions, call 907-451-8800 or email elizabeth@northstarballet.org.

An inclusive, all-ages, all-abilities outdoor scavenger hunt invites families and friends to explore local paths across the Fairbanks area. Parks and Recreation staff temporarily place special signs in secret spots along selected routes, and participants search for them while they are up, with new locations appearing in the next challenge. Those heading out with a canine companion can take part in the Pawblazer Challenge. Featured routes span the region, including Chena River Walk at Griffin Park, Eagle and Island Trails at Tanana Lakes Recreation Area, Slough Loop and Island Trail at Chena Lake Recreation Area, Secret Trail at Skyline Ridge Park, Railway Lane in Pioneer Park, North Forty and White Bear at Birch Hill Recreation Area, Bev’s Loop at Murphy Dome, the 100 Mile Loop at Isberg Recreation Area, Seasonal Wetlands at Creamer’s Field, Skarland 9 Mile in the College Hills subdivision, Potato Field and T-Field on the UAF North Campus Trails, Beaver Slough in North Pole’s Fifth Avenue Park, Angel Rocks and Mastodon Trails in Chena River State Recreation Area, and Quartz Creek and Tabletop Mountain in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. Some routes are part of the National Park Service History Trail. A guide and a finishers checklist are available to help track progress.

Players of every age and experience level are welcome at this weekly chess gathering in the Active Learning Lab at the Noel Wien Library. No sign-up is needed, simply come to play, learn, and enjoy friendly matches. Meetings are typically on Mondays, shifting to Tuesday when a Monday holiday closes the library.

Alaska’s young entrepreneurs take center stage at a kid-powered farmers market where every table features creations made and sold by local youth. Shoppers can explore handmade crafts, homegrown items, and inventive products while encouraging new ideas and building confidence in the next generation of makers and growers from Interior Alaska. Admission is free.

Connect with other caregivers at a friendly meetup inside the Fairbanks Children’s Museum before public hours. Share your babies’ milestones, hear about current topics in early childhood education, and pick up resources provided by community partners. The environment is relaxed, with dedicated playtime for little ones. New and returning caregivers, including parents, grandparents, nannies, and foster parents, are welcome with babies from birth to 36 months. Admission is free for caregivers and for children under 3, and older siblings are encouraged to visit during the museum’s regular play sessions. This program is supported by Rylie Bodyfelt, REALTOR.