What's some advice for visiting Fairbanks over Christmas?

ok not have bad idea, shame people negative it.
not hates cold, , extremeness of winter makes fairbanks special many of us.

layers key. avoid cotton (especially socks) if planning on organized outdoor activities many provide parka , appropriate boots. should come layers include long johns, wool or synthetic socks, , decent pair of boots. hat, gloves, , neck gator or scarf. sweater or fleece pullover, , heavy pants. may able use boots own inside pair of insulated neos (google neos overboots). , heavy parka. if here awhile can grab 1 locally. lots of options shopping , have gear may want.

yes can brutally cold. (-40 not unheard of) amazingly enough have thing called heating, , buildings have it, not freezing death. (unless kinda stupid unprepared for) oh , have these neat little vehicles called taxi's , warm , driven people drive here time. (amazingly enough fairbanks not shut down in cold of winter, pretty used now) *although thank right driving if not used it, careful. , pedro monument excellent aurora watching. things lit holidays, , there holiday bazaars, many of showcase native crafts. excellent carving , bead wok can found in shops on second ave downtown or @ uaf museum.

there lots year round, here taste:
, our local paper have events listed (scroll down calendar)
http://www.newsminer.com/

cultural center & museum - inside , offer special programs year round, check closer visit current info.
http://www.morristhompsoncenter.org/
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/ - check uaf community calendar other events on campus.

in winter chena hot springs super fun, sit outside @ sub 0 in natural hot springs (you can freeze hair cool punk rock styles). have other activities, , rent arctic gear guest visit. 50 miles town (they have van service) plan spend few days there , rest of stay in fairbanks.
http://www.chenahotsprings.com/

our local mushing club holding sprint races in dec. (they have heated clubhouse viewing if cold outside)
http://www.sleddog.org/races/2012-2013-race-schedule-and-results/

local chamber of commerce has events calendar, , first friday shows worth checking out (you can go downtown , walk between number of galleries , participating business)
http://fairbanksalaska.com/events/first-friday/

, in north pole having winter carnival , christmas in ice, might imagine go out christmas in north pole:
http://www.explorefairbanks.com/events

if not have people in fairbanks , looking little more assistance go north respected
http://www.gonorth-alaska.com/index.php?id=243

there number of hotels , b&b's in fairbanks, many right downtown if want minimize driving or cab fares.

silver gulch in fox excellent brew pub, lemongrass has great thai food, turtle club known prime rib, lulu's awesome bakery coffee shop, food not hard find.

fyi, chemical hot hands friend, , can purchased here. worth having if don;t need them, because cheap , frostbite sucks.
regular batteries freeze , useless @ sub 0 temps, if use batteries make sure lithium, handle cold (although digital camera might not it, keep in inside pocket till want shoot).
, nice have little led headlamp, cheap , small , nice thing have on hand. petzl makes ones, don't need big fancy one, little $15-20 work nicely, use lithium batteries.

not mention why coming or want out of vacation, can not specific. point is, not let other people's negativity stop amazing adventure!!

i'm southern california , i'm visiting fairbanks december. what's advice? how cold really? must-see activities?

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