Christmas is celebrated each year in Alaska on December 25th. Celebrations may include caroling, feasting, gift giving and a pre-Christmas visit from Santa Claus. The carols sung at Christmas include songs such as Gristuusaaq suu'uq, or Christ is Born. When the caroling is done, the host serves treats to the guests, such as doughnuts, candies, cookies, and smoked salmon. During Christmas vacation, schools are closed and children participate in the celebrations, including caroling as well as carrying a colored star on a long pole. While in some parts of the world, Christmas is a festive season spreading over a week, in Alaska it's a month long festival lasting from the last Sunday in November until the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th.
