From First Friday art openings and live music to food, fairs, foraging and farm-to-table dinners, there’s plenty happening around Alaska this week.
We’ve rounded up events happening across Southcentral, the Interior, Southeast and the Kenai Peninsula. Here’s what’s on the calendar:
Southcentral Alaska
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 6-10 p.m. | Location provided with RSVP
Raise a glass to the first print issue of the new era of the Anchorage Press at its launch party.
Friday, Sept. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Akela Space
Artist Bryce Nicolasa Foks opens “Occupied,” an exhibition featuring prints, poems, and paintings, with a live performance by Wash Your Hands beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Alaska Flower Farm Field-to-Vase Dinner Tour
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 3:30-–8:30 p.m. | All Dahlia’d Up Flower Farm, Palmer
Spend an evening at an Alaska flower farm with a private garden tour, Alaska Grown farm-to-table meal, live music, floral centerpiece workshop, wine and flowers to take home.
Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | 49th State Brewing
Hear Fleetwood Mac favorites performed by the Listeso string quartet in an intimate candlelit setting.
Monday, Sept. 7 | 6 p.m. | Bear Tooth Theatrepub and Grill
See “Rising Through the Fray,” a documentary combining live cinema and intimate interviews to tell the story of Indigenous Rising Roller Derby. Proceeds will benefit Rage City Roller Derby.
Wednesday-Monday | Alaska State Fairgrounds, Palmer
The Alaska State Fair returns with rides, exhibits, giant vegetables, performances, fair food and more.
This week’s concert lineup includes Max McNown on Thursday, Twisted Sister featuring Sebastian Bach on Friday, Deadmau5 on Saturday, Jesse McCartney on Sunday and Lyle Lovett on Monday.
A few special days to know:
Thursday is Cosplay Day, with a costume contest and meet-and-greet.
Sunday is Military Appreciation Day, with active and retired military personnel eligible for $5 admission at the gate.
Monday is First Responder Day, offering police, firefighters and EMS personnel $5 admission with valid ID.
Interior Alaska
Artifacts of Agency — Ethan/Kayaaní J. Lauesen
Friday, Sept. 4 | 5-8 p.m. | 2 Street Gallery, Fairbanks
“Artifacts of Agency” features prints, paintings and drawings by Fairbanks artist Ethan/Kayaaní J. Lauesen, incorporating Lingít formline imagery and reflections on Indigenous identity, relationships, cultural change, and personal healing.
Friday, Sept. 4 | 3-–7 p.m. | Santa Claus Lane, North Pole
Browse local offerings at this community market outside the Welcome Center in North Pole.
Alaska Nanooks Food Truck Rally
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | UAF Patty Center parking lot
Food trucks and market vendors will gather at UAF for a full day of food and sports, including the Nanooks’ cross-country Blue and Gold Race and the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic volleyball tournament. A food purchase gets you free admission to all three volleyball matches, including the Nanooks’ 7 p.m. match. Ten percent of the day’s sales will support Nanooks volleyball.
Monday, Sept. 7 | Trails across the Fairbanks area
Take part in the 2026 Summer Trails Challenge, an all-ages, all-abilities outdoor scavenger hunt featuring 20 trails around the Fairbanks area.
Related: Aurora Grand Theater brings second-run movies to downtown Juneau
Southeast Alaska
First Friday at the Alaskan Hotel and Bar
Friday, Sept. 4 | 3:45-11 p.m. | Alaskan Hotel and Bar, Juneau
Celebrate First Friday with a lineup of local music featuring The Guess Knots, Cherie Bowman, Nina Edwards, No Exit, and Uncle Moona.
First Friday at Devils Club Brewing
Friday, Sept. 4 | 5 p.m. | Devils Club Brewing, Juneau
Lingít and Unangax̂ artist Aggie D’Cafango presents Under the Same Moon, a mixed-media collection featuring linocut and cyanotype printmaking and weaving.
Juneau Community Garden Harvest Festival
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Juneau Community Garden
Gardeners and neighbors can gather for a farmers market, self-guided garden tours, kids’ activities and a juried flower and produce show.
Kenai Peninsula
Mushroom Hunting with Noah Siegel
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 5-7 p.m. | Kenai Community Library
Mushroom expert and author Noah Siegel will discuss local mushroom foraging and safety, followed by a Q&A and local mushroom identification.
Related: 15 summer festivals in Alaska to add to your calendar pronto
Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Kenai River Brewing Company
Kenai River Runners meet every Tuesday for a community run. All paces are welcome; meet by the telephone booth.
Sunday, Sept. 6 | 6 p.m.-–midnight | Miller’s Landing
Blackwater Railroad and friends close out the summer season with live music, dancing and the burning of a giant wooden moose.
Friday, Aug. 28-Monday, Sept. 7 | Locations around Homer
Restaurants, chefs, growers, and food producers across Homer are celebrating the season with specials, culinary experiences and locally rooted flavors.
Have an event to share? We’re always looking for more things happening around Alaska. If there’s an event in your community that should be on our radar, send it our way. The more corners of the state we can reach, the better this roundup gets.
Victoria Petersen is an Anchorage-based freelance journalist covering food, culture and climate.
