Community
Wine and Peonies at Georgeson Botanical Garden
Peonies may be one of Alaska’s most successful specialty crops, and the Georgeson Botanical garden celebrated that legacy during its annual Wine and Peonies fundraiser.
Juneteenth celebration and Midnight Sun Festival held in Fairbanks
Fairbanks residents celebrated nearly 22 hours of daylight on June 20 by attending the Greater Fairbanks NAACP's Juneteenth celebration at the Carlson Center and the 43rd Midnight Sun Festival downtown.
Music in the garden honors Juneteenth
To commemorate Juneteenth, UAF Summer Sessions hosted a Music in the Garden celebration Thursday, June 18. Families across Fairbanks gathered in the Georgeson Botanical Gardens to listen to music that pays homage to Black heritage and celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. More than 900 people attended the event.
Arctic Research Open House showcases Arctic research
The University of Alaska Fairbanks hosted the annual free Arctic Research Open House on May 14. The event featured verbal and hands-on demonstrations from scientists across multiple departments and institutions, highlighting the diverse scope of Arctic research at UAF.
Student Drama Association demonstrates the beauty of humans making art
Hosted over two different days last weekend at SpringFest, the Drama Association welcomed people to come view their show, the Extravaganza 2026: Humans Making Art. Their aim with this show was to showcase humans in their natural habit, creative and making art.
The Casey Smith Project releases new single ahead of SpringFest
The Casey Smith Project, a Fairbanks-based indie and R&B band, released a new single called “Can’t Pick Up the Phone” ahead of their performance at SpringFest this last weekend; it blends soul influences with indie rock. The song is about leaving past relationships behind when “everything's kind of scattered and you don't have it together.”
Green Bikes hosts bike jousting
Outside Arctic Java April 17, one could hear loud shouts of praise or annoyance, and jaunty, medieval music surrounding the vicinity. Upon closer inspection, there were smiling faces around tables with plastic swords ready to be picked up by adventurous jousters.
An impactful end to the year in the WGSS department
The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department hosted their yearly end of the year celebration, which discussed happenings on campus, highlighted program student’s work and handed out awards to accomplished community members.
Annual Science Potpourri sparks kids’ interest in sciences
The University of Alaska Fairbanks held its annual Science Potpourri Saturday to the delight of the children in attendance. Laughter and “oohs” and “awws” were heard many times as the event held demonstrations with explosions, microscopes, museum curation, and other items to get children interested in science.
Students share URSA projects during research day
Undergraduate students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks gathered in the lobby of the Charles W. Davis Concert Hall Thursday to present projects funded by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity, or URSA.
UAF researchers travel 1,500-mile Arctic route to connect science with communities
Two University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers are crossing more than 1,500 miles of Alaska’s western and Arctic coast by snowmachine this spring, not just to study climate change, but to hear directly from the people living it.
Annual Ice Jam competition brings beachy vibes to UAF
Last Friday the annual Ice Jam competition was held on the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ ice tower. Competitors had toto score the fastest time climbing the tower or juggle their way up in the technical dry tool wall. The theme this year was Hawaii, intending to bring some warm and sunny vibes to a record-setting cold winter.
Discussion and history of returning Indigenous remains and objects act
Across America, museums and other institutions are working on repatriating Native American artifacts and human remains, restoring history and bringing back respect and honor. The University of Alaska’s Museum of the North also participates in this cultural work.
Engineering open house marks 60 years of cool science
Hundreds of visitors rolled through the Usibelli Building on Saturday as the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Engineering and Mines marked the 60th annual ice arch during its 2026 Engineering Open House. Families, K-12 students, and prospective college students explored hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and engineering projects across the building’s four floors on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus.
Fairbanks ushers in the Year of the Horse with New Year’s celebrations
On February 21, the Chinese Culture and Language Club welcomed Fairbanks residents to join them in ushering in the new year with their annual Chinese New Year celebration. The celebration had stunning visual performances, traditional food and a strong sense of community.
Winter Carnival ignites delight, friendship, fun
At the 2026 Winter Carnival, students and staff played in the snow and ice, reveled in sporty and extreme experiences with friends, and got crafty while fresh tunes were spun by a live DJ. There was lots of hot cocoa, s’mores, and smiles over the three-day event.
Phish, poop and poetry at The Pub
Graduate students and faculty filled The Pub at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Friday the 13 for an evening of original poetry, fiction and nonfiction during the Valentine’s Day-themed Graduate Student Literary Recital.
UAF Pub puts a spin on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day is one day out of the year that everyone gets to celebrate the people they love and it often leaves out all the people who don’t have a commitment like that. Enter Buddy or Boo speed dating.
First Friday events showcase local artists
First Friday, a long standing Fairbanks monthly tradition and celebration of local art, is here and along with it the chance to see some art from local artists including Stephanie Jane Barney. Various places around town opened for the first Friday, including the Bear Gallery.
Student Success Center hosts Bear Necessities Drive
The Student Success Center is hosting its first Bear Necessities Drive this February, collecting essential items to support students and the Fairbanks community.
Throughout the month, the Student Success Center, or SSC, is collecting canned goods, non-perishable food items, winter clothing, pet supplies, and hygiene products. A donation box is located at the front desk of the SSC, on the sixth floor of Rasmuson library. At the end of the month, all donated items will be given to UAF’s food pantry, the local women’s shelter, and other local shelters.