Your new favorite newsletter is here. Subscribe to The Current, a free newsletter for Alaskans, by Alaskans.
Looking for something to do around Alaska? This weekend brings Oktoberfest in Girdwood, a local food festival in Soldotna, live music in Fairbanks, comedy in Juneau and plenty more.
We’ve gathered a list of events happening across Southcentral, the Interior, Southeast, Prince William Sound, and the Kenai Peninsula. Here’s what’s on the calendar:
Southcentral Alaska
Anchorage
TOTE Ship Tour
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Port of Alaska
Learn firsthand about the new Anchorage Port from one of the operators of this key piece of infrastructure, and tour a TOTE ship.
Flattop Sunnyside Trail Improvements
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 8 a.m.–2 p.m. | Flattop Sunnyside Trailhead
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by brushing and improving trail tread and drainage on the Flattop Sunnyside Trail in Chugach State Park.
Drag Lotería Fundraiser for Choosing Our Roots
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 5–7:30 p.m. | The Continental
A hype drag show starring local Latine artists José Queervo, Sweet Rika, and Cry Baby, with food and drinks, and a fun Mexican cultural game for several chances to win prizes.
ACAT Clothing Swap
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Alaska Community Action on Toxics
Bring clothes you no longer need or use to swap.
Ruckus Grand Opening
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 12:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | 2612 Eagle St.
Grand opening of Ruckus community space, with some live music and a parking lot minifest.
Girdwood
Alyeska Oktoberfest
Friday/Saturday, Sept. 25-26 | 4–10 p.m. | Alyeska Resort
Celebrate Bavarian tradition, dress in your best Bavarian garb, raise your steins and join in for live music, local beers, food, adult Olympics, kids’ games, potbelly pig rescue and prizes.
Palmer/Wasilla
Mat-Su Valley Battle of the Books, Adult Edition
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | Palmer Public Library
Create or join a team of 3-5 other book-loving adults. Read the three chosen event books. There will be prizes for winning teams.
Fireside Writers Circle
Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 7–8 p.m. | Fireside Books
A beginner-friendly club meant to encourage writers of any genre. Meetings are limited to 12 spots; if you are interested, please sign up in the store or give us a call at (907) 745-2665 to add your name to the list.
Embroidery Class: Forget Me Not Halibut
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Ken’s Garden Center, Wasilla
In this class, you will learn 6 stitches in a 4-hour period. All supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring any of your own things if you prefer.
Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Menard Sports Center, Wasilla
The family-friendly event will feature new indoor and outdoor exhibits, live demonstrations, hands-on activities, door prizes, food trucks, an earthquake simulator, an escape room, and more.
Palmer Elks 4th Annual Car Show and Sock Hop
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 12–4 p.m. | Palmer Elks Lodge
Cars will be displayed from noon to 4 p.m. Afterward is the sock hop, with music, smash burgers, fries and milkshakes for purchase.
Interior Alaska
Fairbanks
Alaska Railroad Open House
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Fairbanks Railroad Depot
The Alaska Railroad Corporation invites the public to its community open house with free train rides and free family-friendly activities.
Pioneer Pickers Music Jam
Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 6:30 p.m. | Pioneer Museum in Alaskaland
Weekly folk and light pop music jam, all acoustic instruments welcome.
Ice Music Jam
Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Pioneer Museum in Alaskaland
A free music jam featuring folk, Irish/Celtic, contra dance tunes, and originals written by participants. Chord charts are freely shared, and all acoustic instruments are welcome.
Eclectic and Wildly Unpredictable Music Jam
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 6:30 p.m. | Golden Eagle Saloon, Ester
Music jam featuring folk, gospel, lite pop, rock covers, jazz, and whatever else participants want to play. No charge to play, but purchasing a beverage and tipping the bartender is encouraged.
Fairbanks Trails Challenge
Monday, Sept. 28 | 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.
Related: 12 cool events to check out in Alaska during September and October
North Pole
Santa’s Friday Night Market
Friday, Sept. 25 | 3-7 p.m. | Santa Claus Lane
Browse a community market outside the Welcome Center in North Pole.
Southwest Alaska
2026 Bristol Bay Sustainability Summit
Tuesday/Wednesday, Sept. 29-30 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Dillingham HS Gymnasium
The summit is intended to drive communities toward a sustainable future through 2 days of presentations and dialogue.
Southeast Alaska
Juneau
Print + Pint Night with Juneau Wayzgoose
Thursday, Sept. 24 | 5–8 p.m. | Devil’s Club Brewing
A laid-back, hands-on evening of printmaking and beer. Bring projects and questions; new people can try out limited supplies.
Bo Johnson Stand-Up Comedy
Friday, Sept. 25 | 6:30 p.m. | Devil’s Club Brewing Company
A night of stand-up comedy with Seattle comedian Bo Johnson.
Capital Brewfest
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 1-5 p.m. | Centennial Hall Convention Center
Brewers from Juneau, Sitka, Haines, Kodiak, Talkeetna, Big Lake, Fairbanks and Anchorage—pouring 3-ounce tastings all afternoon with food trucks.
Community showing of 9-5
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 6:30 p.m. | Gold Town Theater
Free Community Showing of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 to celebrate a long-time union advocate and musical icon.
Related: How to see the northern lights in Alaska: Venues, forecasts, & what to bring
Kenai Peninsula
Kenai/Soldotna
Kenai Chronicles: Beyond the Exhibit Lecture Series
Friday, Sept. 25 | 12 p.m. | Kenai Chamber of Commerce
Lecture series on the Moosemeat John Cabin update, as well as a brief history of the Homestead Act of 1862 in the Kenai Peninsula.
Trout Unlimited Fly Lab
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 2–3:30 p.m. | Kenai Main Street Tap
A free, beginner-intermediate fly-tying class.
Harvest Moon Local Food Festival
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Soldotna Creek Park
A family-friendly celebration of local food on the Kenai Peninsula. Fresh produce, handmade goods, live music, cooking demos, kids’ activities, and a pie contest.
The Killer Komedy Show
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 9:30–11:30 p.m. | Orca Theatre
Stand-up comedy show featuring Alaska headliners Mike Comer and Bryan Otten.
20th Annual Kenai River Marathon
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m. | Kenai Chamber of Commerce
There will be music, free hot dogs, a beer garden and kids’ activities, whether you’re running or supporting.
Homer
PAMYUA
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 2–3:30 p.m. | Porcupine Theatre
An evening of storytelling, music and dance from Alaska’s own “Inuit Soul Music” Artists.
Cooper Landing/Hope
Fox Fest with Hope Social Club
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 3:30–10 p.m. | Creekbend Company
The 2nd Annual Fox Fest featuring sets from the Jeff Kanzler Band, the Valley Below and Hope Social Club.
Ladies’ Fly Tying
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1–3 p.m. | Cooper Landing Brewing Company
Ladie’s-only fly tying class, all supplies provided.
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.
