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Looking for something to do around Alaska this weekend? 🍂 From First Friday art openings and drag shows, to indigo dyeing, live music, craft workshops, and holiday markets, there’s plenty happening around the state.
We’ve rounded up events from Anchorage and the Mat-Su to Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, and the Kenai Peninsula, with plenty of ways to get out, get creative, support local artists and small businesses, or simply have a good time. Whether you’re planning an artsy night out, picking up a new hobby, browsing handmade goods or looking for something unexpected, there’s something on the calendar for you. ✨
Southcentral Alaska
Anchorage
November Press Party
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Anchorage Brewing
Local music, silent auction, mystery merch, tricks and treats, too. RSVP for more details.
Artisan bon bon class
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 12-4 p.m. | Alaska Wildberry Products
Paint, fill and create your own artisan bon bons. Learn cocoa butter decorating, three ganaches, piping and finishing techniques. Leave with your own handcrafted artisan chocolates to take home.
Warren Miller Film Tour
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 4-5 | 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. | Bear Tooth
Drop in on Warren Miller’s 77th film, Days Off. Journey from heli-drops in Alaska and high-alpine mountaineering in Chamonix to the legendary powder of Hokkaido, Japan.
Bad Girls of the North Unique Boutique
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7 | 4-9 p.m., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | O’Malley’s on the Green
Find hand-crafted items from all over the state including jewelry, pottery, clothing, beadwork, paintings and prints, gourmet foods, and metal art. There will be a bar available for beverage purchase.
Zine Fair Reading Room
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5-9 p.m. | Akela Space Studio
The ANC Zine Fair is hosting a pre-fair reading room. This year’s fair poster (designed by Meneka Thiru) will be on display, along with a selection of local zines from past fairs set up as a browsing room. Come flip through,
Reap What You Sew
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 6 p.m. | Native Movement
Grab torn and tattered garments and half-finished projects and join for a night of knowledge and material sharing, body doubling, and collaborative magic. All crafts are welcome.
Legacy: A Drag Experience featuring Jaida Essence Hall
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 8 p.m. | Bear Tooth
This show will feature Athena Nuff and many other drag queens, and is hosted by Golden Delicious.
An Exhibition from Cecilia Karoly-Lister
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5–9 p.m. | Akela Space
“Old Odd Story” is an exhibition by Cecilia Karoly-Lister, an Anchorage-based artist. “Much like everyone else, her art practice and sense of self has been obliterated since becoming a mother,” the exhibition description says.
Palmer/Wasilla
November Meet-up
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7-9 p.m. | Palmer Brewing Co. Come meet the woman behind Twisted Birch Catering, learn more about her business, and connect with the amazing people who make the Mat-Su business community.
Content Creation Workshop for Businesswomen
Friday, Nov. 6 | 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Judy Patrick Photography A hands-on content creation workshop designed to help Alaskan businesswomen learn practical social media tips, put their phone cameras to work, and walk away with fresh photos and videos for their businesses. $45.
1st Saturday Vendor Market
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Mat-Su Borough Gym, Palmer
A small‑town gathering spot for local makers, artists, and creative small businesses.
Interior Alaska
Fairbanks/Ester
Visiting Artist Breana Ferreira: Lecture
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 6–7 p.m. | UAF BP Design Theater
The UAF Student Ceramics Art Guild and the Department of Art welcome ceramic artist Breana Ferreira for a series of public demonstrations and an artist lecture.
44th Annual Athabascan Fiddlers Association Music Fest
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 5-7 | 1 p.m.-12 a.m. | Chief David Salmon Tribal Hal
Since 1984, this three-day gathering has brought together elders, village bands, youth, and music lovers from across Interior Alaska to celebrate centuries of living culture. Open to everyone.
First Friday: Nunaillisi Aŋnaq
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5–7 p.m. | UAF Art Gallery
A Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis exhibition by Ayona-Reily Dixon. Abstract works look to the land, the body, and the people between as parts of the answer. Dixon invites viewers to experience the environment created in the exhibition and to reflect on the importance of home within their own lives.
First Friday featuring paintings of John Bestard
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5–8 p.m. | Bobby’s Downtown
John Bestard is a local Fairbanks artist and oil painter influenced by Alaska’s unique landscape.
Raven Art Show
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5–7 p.m. | Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
Alaska Songbird Institute showcases the works of over a dozen local artists, and a portion of all sales supports ASI’s 2027 education and research programs.
Midnight Sun Visiting Writers Series: Alaska Literary Field Guide Public Reading
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 7–8 p.m. | Arnold Espe Auditorium, UA Museum of the North
Live presentations from 12 contributing poets. The anthology blends science, storytelling, and original artwork to showcase Alaska’s wild beauty. Open to all.
Mommy Mingle
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 3–5 p.m. | Hoarfrost Distilling
Weekly Mommy Mingle with mocktails, cocktails, and community. Bring your baby, your partner, or a friend, or come solo and make new friends.
North Pole
Tom Cotter
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | p.m. | North Pole Alehouse
Comedian Tom Cotter finished as runner-up and became the breakout star from season 7 of “America’s Got Talent.”
Southeast Alaska
Juneau
Science on Tap
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 5:30 p.m. | Devil’s Club Brewing
“This Month: What is Cream of Tartar? And other pressing everyday chemistry questions w/ Megan Behnke, Ph.D.” is the theme for this edition. Science On Tap brings local scientists into the Taproom to share the fascinating work they’re doing right here in Juneau.
First Friday: Colleran Art
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5 p.m. | Devil’s Club Brewing
Self taught artist Chris Colleran loves to smash, smear, drip, and pour paint. See the artist’s work on display for First Friday.
Exhibit Opening – Shgendootan George
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5 p.m. | Alaska State Museum
The Alaska State Museum presents the work of Shgendootan George, who is Lingít, Daḵl’aweidí of Kéet Oox̲ú Hít (Killer Whale Tooth House). George made a series of robes—Naaxein (Chilkat), Yéil koowú (Raven’s Tail), and Kaayuka.óot x’oow (button blankets)—to tell the history of the 1882 bombardment of her village, Aangóon, Alaska.
Jazz Jam
Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Saloon
Head to the Crystal Saloon for a night of live jazz, with musicians taking the stage for an open jam session.
Board Game Night
Monday, Nov. 9 | 6–9 p.m. | Devil’s Club Brewing Co.
Choose from a collection of board games or bring your own. Free.
Sitka
Fall Art Walk 2026
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 4–7 p.m. | Downtown Sitka
Sitka Art Walks occur twice a year as a way for all of the downtown stores and galleries to showcase their art along with featured artists and live music. Complete your Art Walk Passport to win prizes.
The 30th Annual Sitka WhaleFest
Thursday-Monday, Nov. 5-9 | Sitka Sound Science Center
Celebrate marine life through science, art, culture, and adventure. A three-day science symposium, where scientists and knowledge-bearers share the latest research and learning about marine life. This symposium is for everyone, with hands-on workshops, art and performers.
Ketchikan
Alaska: A Story Still Being Written with Willie Hensley
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7–8:30 p.m. | UAS Library
In this presentation, Hensley reflects on the people, cultures, events, and decisions that have shaped modern Alaska.
Shrek, the Musical — First City Players
Friday, Nov. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Kayhi Auditorium
A grumpy green ogre and his wisecracking donkey embark on a quest to rescue a fierce princess in order to reclaim the peace and privacy of his swamp—based on the hit Dreamworks movie.
12th Annual Holiday Bazaar! — Coffman Cove
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Howard Valentine School Gym
Get holiday shopping done early.
Kenai Peninsula
Kenai/Soldotna
Arctic Seeds, Northern Stories Community Art Project
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 5–7 p.m. | Kenai Peninsula College, Soldotna
Opening reception for the exhibition, which includes a community installation that asked contributors to explore northern ecologies through collective mark-making and the transformation of local plant materials into pigment.
One Size–Many Visions
Friday, Nov. 6 | 5–7 p.m. | Kenai Art Center
An exhibition celebrating creativity within a smaller, uniform format. This is an open-theme show. See the exhibit through Friday, Dec. 18.
Indigo dye workshop
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. | Kenai Peninsula College Art Studio, Soldotna
In this hands-on workshop, participants will work with indigo dye and simple resist techniques. Each participant will receive two cotton tea towels to experiment with and will have the opportunity to bring an additional textile item to dye. No previous art or textile experience is necessary. Cost: $55.
True Tales, Told Live
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Kenai Peninsula College McLane Commons, Soldotna
Share your story at KDLL’s “True Tales, Told Live.” November’s theme is “Fall: Tales of Tripping Up, Falling Down, or a Moment of Impact.” Intro to Storytelling from 3–5 p.m. for people interested in developing their stories.
Homer
“Actually, It Is Rocket Science”
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 6 p.m. | Porcupine Theater
A tongue-in-cheek look at the seemingly reckless abandon that many of the world’s best snow athletes display as they push the physics of what is possible. All ticket sales benefit the Kachemak Ski Club.
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.
