The City That Celebrates Christmas All Year Round: North Pole, Alaska

24 Dic The City That Celebrates Christmas All Year Round: North Pole, Alaska

You’ll be surprised to learn that the city of North Pole is not located at the geographic North Pole, nor is it within the Arctic Circle. This charming Christmas destination is situated in the east-central part of Alaska, USA.

If you enter the coordinates 64° 45′ 10” N and 147° 21′ 46” W into your GPS, you’ll find this quirky spot, located 2,700 km from the geographic North Pole and a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. Despite its evocative name, its location is quite distant from the true North Pole.

Founded in 1944 by a real estate company with the aim of attracting toy manufacturers, the city was named to add a magical touch to their products, presumably “made in the North Pole.” Although the toy factory never materialized, the idea of marketing products under this name is undeniably fascinating. Imagining toy boxes with the label “Made in North Pole” resonates with the city’s perpetual Christmas spirit.

The climate in North Pole is extreme, especially in December, with temperatures regularly reaching -25°C. Visitors need to be well-prepared with warm clothing to withstand the severe cold. However, this icy environment has its charms.

Walking down Santa Claus Lane and turning right onto St. Nicholas Drive, you’ll find the famous Santa Claus House, located right next to a well-known burger joint that starts with the letter “W.” Additionally, the northern lights sometimes illuminate the night sky, adding a magical touch to this snowy and festive landscape.

Winter in these latitudes means very few hours of sunlight, with less than four hours a day during the season. The sun rises around 11 am and sets before 3 pm, and overcast skies are common. Despite these challenges, locals and tourists enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Visits to Santa Claus House are a major attraction and available year-round.

In summer, temperatures can reach 27°C, allowing for activities such as swimming in Chena Lake, biking on paved trails, and rainbow trout fishing. In winter, options include snowboarding, ice fishing, and northern lights viewing. Additionally, the winter festival draws crowds for the North Pole Ice Sculpture Contest, where ice sculptors from around the world showcase their art, making North Pole a truly unique destination to experience Christmas all year long.