Celebrate the 64th State Winter Carnival in Willow
Contributed by Brenda McCain, Willow Winter Carnival Committee
All are invited to celebrate the 64th State Winter Carnival in Willow at Willow Community Ctr at 69.5 Parks Highway from January 23 to February 1,2026 This historic event has activities for all ages to enjoy inside and outside the WCC and on trails around the community.
The theme is “The Year of the Patriots” in honor of the 250th anniversary our nation.
Events begin:
Friday, Jan.23rd - The Jamie Hansen concert kicks off the fun at 6-8 pm. Tickets $10, Reserved seats $15. (Also Saturday 3-4 pm. Tickets $7/Reserved seats $12.)
Saturday, Jan. 24th 6 pm - CARNIVAL BINGO (Doors Open@ 5 pm) Ages 19+
Sunday, Jan.25th 2-4 pm - Outdoor Mini Golf and Snow Bowling, Inside Veteran’s Tribute Game Day & Potluck. 6 pm “Talent or Not Show”
Wednesday Jan 28th 5-7 pm - Keynote Speaker Shannon Howard “Midlife Mom Reset”
Full Carnival weekend begins:
Friday, Jan 30th with the traditional Carnival Kick off Dinner. Doors open at 5 pm with the local Artist's Quick Draw and the start of the Alaskan Art silent auction. At 6 pm, Dinner will be served: Lasagna, Soup, Salad & Dessert!
Cost $20.00, Seniors & Military $15.00, Youth 5-17 $12.00, younger free. This event is usually a sell-out! Tickets may be purchased in advance at Newman's Hilltop Marathon, CC’s Skyfire Kitchen or Willow Library.
The Carnival King and Queen will be crowned during dinner, and the evening will conclude with a spectacular Fireworks display by Gorilla Fireworks.
Saturday Jan 31 & Sunday Feb 1
8 am-11:00 am Willow Elementary PTA will serve their well-loved breakfast.
Saturday Jan 31 & Sunday Feb 1
Carnival activities are 10:00 am – 4 pm.
Admission to the Carnival is free! Parking is $1.00 per carload, but every person gets a door prize ticket! Some outside competitions have an entry fee.
Inside activities include Kid’s games, varied stage acts, including Colony Calypso Steel Drums, Native Youth Olympics Demo, Borealis Dancers, Craig Walls and many more. Also local vendors, a Cribbage tournament, an ice cream eating contest, Scholarship Pie & Auction, Mini-raffle, collectible Carnival pins & magnets, Carnival kitchen and more provide and an event where there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Large raffle tickets with Grand Prize of an ATV and many other great prizes will be available.
Outside activities include Vintage Sled Show & Shine, Snowmachine competitions include Poker run, Blind Driver, and Radar Run.
Non-motorized events include Outhouse races, Sled dog races, Skijoring, Historic Sven Erikson 25 k run, ski, bike, skijor tour, Homesteader games and more
Sat Jan 31st @ 6 pm the Fire Dept hosting the family friendly “Fire & Ice Dance”.
For full carnival schedule: https://www.waco-ak.org/committees/carnival/
This the “Alaska State Winter Carnival” and all are welcome to come celebrate winter in Willow.