9 Things to Do in Anchorage This Weekend

Anchorage residents can choose between bluegrass music, a new Alaska Native children’s magazine launch, and a bacon-themed festival this weekend. The diverse lineup of local events includes holiday bazaars, a wildlife storytelling session in Palmer, and a youth film screening in Spenard.

Friday the 13th arrives this week, but the local event calendar offers a variety of distractions ranging from cultural education to heavy culinary themes. According to Alaska Public Media, the upcoming weekend features nine distinct activities designed to engage different demographics across the Anchorage bowl and surrounding areas.

What are the major community gatherings?

The Dena’ina Center will host the Beards, Booze & Bacon Festival from 5 to 11 p.m. This event centers on a competition where bearded participants vie for the title of Mr. Fur Face. Attendees can sample bacon and enjoy beverages, though the festival is restricted to those 21 and older.

General admission for the festival costs $60 and includes a dozen beverage tickets and a commemorative glass. For those not participating in the drinking portion of the event, admission is available for $20.

Don't forget my upcoming talk, an evening of murder, of wives killing husbands and why the people of Anchorage turned that into a joke. It's Spenard Divorces. Free parking at the UAA Fine Arts building, east end of campus. Talk starts at 6! pic.twitter.com/tSxS15ZfDT

— Post by @ANC_Historian on X

Several holiday bazaars are opening to facilitate early seasonal shopping. The Alaskan Christmas Bazaar at Changepoint Church features more than 150 booths with items such as artwork, knitwear, and baked goods. This event takes place on Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other shopping opportunities include:

Winterberry Charter School: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring handmade and natural products.
Chugiak Elementary and the Senior Center: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a free shuttle bus available to transport shoppers between these two locations.
Raven Hall: A Consign49 sale running Thursday through Sunday in Palmer, offering clothing, accessories, and home decor.

How can families and youth participate?

Cultural and educational programming takes center stage on Saturday at the Loussac Library. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., the library will host the launch of Yaaruin Kids, a new magazine specifically designed for Alaska Native children. The publication aims to provide games, puzzles, and cultural learning adventures to help children embrace their heritage and learn about local customs.

The event is geared toward children aged 7 and older, though all are welcome to participate in activities and meet the magazine’s contributors.

For older students, The Nave will host a youth film screening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. West High School students created the short documentaries being shown, which focus on the people, stories, and culture of the Spenard neighborhood. The screening is free and includes popcorn and refreshments.

Community engagement for all ages continues at Kincaid Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Parks and Trails Recreation Fair brings together local nonprofits and businesses to discuss ways to remain active during the winter months through various outdoor spaces and programs.

Where can residents find music and storytelling?

The musical schedule ranges from bluegrass to historical discussions. Blackwater Railroad, a bluegrass band from Seward, will perform at the Bear Tooth Theatre pub & grill on Friday at 8 p.m. They will be joined by the Juneau-based band Steady Going. Tickets for the concert are approximately $30, and the event is for those 21 and older.

In Palmer, the Glenn Massay Theater will host “Shaped by Wildlife” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. The evening begins with a community art gallery and live music from Roland Roberts, followed by storytelling sessions at 7 p.m. where community members share personal accounts of wildlife interactions. Tickets for this event are $7.

On Thursday, historian David Reamer will present a session at the UAA Recital Hall starting at 6 p.m. His presentation, titled “Seawolf Sessions,” explores the history of Anchorage through the lens of local true crime and the community’s reaction to it. This free event is intended for attendees aged 13 and older.

The Consign49 sale at Raven Hall in Palmer opens daily at 9 a.m. through the weekend. The sale ends at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 5 p.m. on Sunday.