Fall is starting to settle in, but that doesn’t mean there will be less going on. Here’s a fresh batch of things to do around the state: from an EDM music festival in Ninilchik to the world premiere of a new Tlingit opera in Juneau.
We’ve rounded up events happening across Southcentral, the Interior, Southeast and the Kenai Peninsula. Here’s what’s on the calendar:
Southcentral Alaska
What is MMHOP?
Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Native Movement
Join Youth Action Network, Anchorage Assembly member Erin Baldwin Day, and Jason Norris to discuss the missing middle housing proposal.
Booch for Books
Thursday, Sept. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Zip Kombucha
Get a book recommendation based on the kombucha you’re drinking and tell us what you think of the match. Love the book? Check it out to finish at home. Must be 21+ or accompanied by an adult.
Poetry Reading
Sunday, Sept. 13 | 2 p.m. | Barnes&Noble
Robin Gabbert will be doing a reading from her third and newsest poetry book: Somehow I Haven’t Drowned.
Be The Change with Kahlil Greene
Thursday, Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium
Greene will demonstrate how effective leadership and proactive advocacy online can drive social change, encouraging people to kickstart their own activism using the most effective strategies of the 21st century.
Alaska Zoo Beluga Festival
Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1-4 p.m. | Alaska Zoo
A free festival with beluga scientists, live presentations by species experts, and interactive activities.
Sip, String and Save Lives
Thursday, Sept. 10 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Refuge Coffee
Join Cook Inlet Tribal Council Prevention Team for free beading and Narcan training. All ages are welcome. Free beading kits and Narcan Kit/Training will be provided, with a variety of beading projects ranging from kid-friendly beginner kits to more advanced designs. The first 15 people to attend will also receive a free drink.
Health and Resource Fair by Pacific Community of Alaska
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 1-6 p.m. | Mountain View Rec Center
Different health-related vendors and resources, along with free food and door prizes.
Intro to Musical Improv
Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | 3956 Spenard Road Anchorage
Students will learn musical improv games while exploring rhythm and rhyme, common song structures with memorable hooks, and create Mini-Musicals on the spot.
Alaska Flower Farm U-Pick Days
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 2-4:30 p.m. | All Dahlia’d Up Flower Farm
Pick a bouquet from the farm’s flower garden. Only 26 spots available per U-Pick Day. Kids are welcome only if accompanied by an adult at all times.
Wasilla Farmers Market
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | 251 W. Swanson Ave., Wasilla
Shop locally-owned vendors.
Interior Alaska
Santa’s Friday Night Market
Friday, Sept. 11 | 3-7 p.m. | Santa Claus Lane, North Pole
Browse local offerings at this community market outside the Welcome Center in North Pole.
Calypso Farm Fall Harvest Festival
Sunday, Sept. 13 | 12-4 p.m. | Calypso Farm, Ester
The outdoor Fall Harvest Festival is the last public event of the season and has something for the whole family: apple taste testing, fresh donuts, natural dyeing, salve making, botanical inks, flower felting, farm animal visits, seed saving, wood-fired flatbreads and a farm shop sale. Admission is free.
Much Ado About Mushrooms
Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 6-7 p.m.| Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library
Join for an informative talk by a local mycology expert. Learn about local mushrooms and how to identify them. Bring in a couple of mushroom samples to get in some identification practice. This event is intended for ages 18+
Fairbanks Trails Challenge
Monday, Sept. 14 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Trails across the city
Take on the 2026 Summer Trails Challenge, an all-ages, all-abilities outdoor scavenger hunt inviting you to explore 20 local trails, discover hidden signs, and enjoy new adventures all summer long.
Science for Alaska Summer Series
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 11:30 a.m. | Morris Thompson Center
Explore Fairbanks and the UAF Geophysical Institute bring free public talks by real scientists. Talks will include a 30-minute presentation with extended time for questions. This week’s talk is by Jason Ahrns: Fire and Ice: Launching rockets in Alaska.
Related: Current Cravings: ‘Fairbanks Foodie’ knows how to eat in the Golden Heart City
Southeast Alaska
Tina Burner Presents: “Witch Perfect”
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 8 p.m. | Centennial Hall
One night only: “Witch Perfect” is a live-singing, comedy parody based on the Disney film “Hocus Pocus.” It features Emmy-winning stars from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Kutulagaaw: The Tlingit-Russian Battles
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-20 | 4 & 7:30 p.m. | Thunder Mountain Middle School Auditorium
A joint production opera is based on historical facts and oral traditions as told from the Łingít perspective, focusing on stories from the Tlingit-Russian War waged in Alaska from 1802-1804.
Community Classes: Fermentation is Culture
Thursday, Sept. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Mendenhall Valley Public Library
Learn about lacto-fermentation, which uses “good bacteria” to turn natural sugars in vegetables into lactic acid. This process preserves food and adds healthy probiotics and enzymes. Participants will make their own jar of cultured veggies to take home. Limited to 25 people; registration required.
Traditional Irish Music Session
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 3 p.m. | The Beak
Traditional Irish music session every Saturday at The Beak restaurant.
Sitka Music Festival
Sept. 15-26 | Sitka, Ketchikan, Anchorage, and Wasilla
Sitka Music Festival brings world-class chamber music to Southeast and beyond, along with classical performances, artist education, and more.
Kenai Peninsula
Weekly Run Club
Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Kenai River Brewing Company
Kenai River Runners are meeting every Tuesday for the weekly run club. Everyone/all paces are welcome. Meet by the telephone booth.
Crafternoon: Needle Felted Owl
Thursday, Sept. 10 | 5:30-6:45 p.m. | Kenai Community Library
Learn the basics of needle felting and create a cute fluffy owl.
AFF River Clean-Up
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Russian River Ferry parking
Join Alaska Fly Fishers and others to help clean up the highway and riverfront after a summer of fishing. There will be door prizes, coffee, food and more.
Sacred Acre Festival
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-13 | Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds
The annual electronic dance music festival is back with live EDM, art, nature and more.
Related: Wild berry picking in Alaska: What’s edible & where to find it
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.
