Eight small circular craft near surface seen at Fairbanks, Alaska.On the evening of December 31, 2015, and into the morning of January 1, 2016, at Fairbanks, Alaska, I witnessed the following: While driving my vehicle south on the Parks Highway, near the vicinity of the University of Alaska farm fields [Geist Rd and Parks Highway off ramps] I noted five objects rising from the left [west], at near-ground level and move across the highway at an altitude of 300-400 feet. They appeared under independent control and seemed to be making a 5-sided 'sign' in their arrangement. I initially assumed they were fireworks on parachutes.The time was just before midnight and fireworks were evident in this built-up area that includes residential and light commercial development. The area of activity is between the Fairbanks International Airport and the University of Alaska.The objects were both stationary at one moment and then in motion as a unit. I stopped the vehicle, exited to the roadway for a better look. There was no sound. The objects appeared to be circular, 15 to 30 inches in diameter. There were no other discernible details of surfaces. Each appeared to be emanating a red/yellow glow or pulse that remained constant. The 'fire' color conformed closely with the area where it was coming from. The light appeared to make a small protruding tail to the steady pulse/glow. It was brighter at the center.Over a period of 20 minutes, I continued to observe the phenomenon. The objects did not dip, as a helicopter does when it moves forward. Once climbing, they did not move to a lower level. The original 5 units slowly climbed into the sky, spread out, moved to the east [toward U. S. Army Fort Wainwright]. The lights appeared to blink out and the craft vanished in the darkness.After stopping, I had doubled back on the highway, and stopped again, where I noticed three new craft, similar to the first five. They were flying over the roadway in the same fashion to the others. When near to the ground they were tightly grouped and as they climbed they spread out. They, too, headed east, climbed higher and disappeared.I am aware that the University of Alaska has a DOD contract for development and testing of advanced drones. During daylight hours I have observed a drone flight a few miles from this vicinity. Further, as mentioned, DOD maintains a large post within 6 miles of the sighting location. Additionally, DOD maintains Eielson AFB, 30 miles south-east of this location.