Looking for a little something to do this week? Alaska’s got you covered. 🎃 From fantasy balls and comedy specials to creepy crafts, pumpkin-filled fall fun, live jazz and community gatherings, there’s plenty happening around the state.
We’ve rounded up events from Anchorage and the Mat-Su to Fairbanks, Juneau and the Kenai Peninsula, with a mix of ways to get out, get creative, get spooky—or just have a good time. Whether you’re planning a night out or looking for a reason to make a road trip of it, there’s something on the calendar for you.
Southcentral Alaska
Anchorage
Parlor in the Round: Season 12
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Bear Tooth
Parlor in the Round returns for its October season kickoff, bringing three songwriters together for an evening of songs, stories, improvisation, and collaboration. The lineup for this show is: Matt Hopper, Jamie Drake, and Taylor Dallas Vidic.
Jams for Fams: Halloween Costume Party
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. | Bear Tooth
All-ages family dance party celebrating Halloween. Presented by DJ Spencer Lee.
Comedy Up North
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7–9 p.m. | Main Event Grill
A fall/winter series of comedy shows promoting mental health awareness. Next on deck: Laurie Kilmartin.
Magic & Myth YA Fantasy Ball
Friday, Oct. 16 | 6–8:30 p.m. | The Nave
A Fantasy Ball for ages 15-20. Dress in fantasy garb and enjoy an evening of music, dancing, door prizes and fun activities while helping to raise funds for Alaska Children’s Museum.
Democracy Fair: Learn. Vote. Lead.
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Z.J. Loussac Library
The Democracy Fair offers a variety of exhibits and presentations exploring elections and democracy, along with activities for children. The event is open to everyone and is nonpartisan.
Palmer/Wasilla
Queer Adult Coffee
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 5–7 p.m. | Black Birch Books, Wasilla
Gather with other queer adults in the community for this free coffee event.
Monthly Yarning Meet
Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 5–7 p.m. | Black Birch Books, Wasilla
Meet up for this monthly gathering of creation. Knit, crochet, weave, loom, or cross-stitch with friends.
Reindeer Farm Fall Family Fun
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17 | 1-5 p.m., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Reindeer Farm, Palmer
Celebrate fall at the Reindeer Farm with family-friendly fun including a pumpkin patch, spooky walk, hay maze, games, tractor rides, food trucks, and plenty of autumn activities for all ages.
Interior Alaska
Fairbanks
Rachel Blackwell: Improper Woman
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7–9 p.m. | Pakalolo Supply Co.
Fairbanks’ own Rachel Blackwell will be performing and recording her debut comedy special.
Alaska Author Night
Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 6p.m. | Noel Wien Library
Erica Watson reading with the Fairbanks Library Foundation from her first essay collection “Ghosts of Distant Trees.”
Pioneer Pickers Music Jam
Tuesday, Oct. 20| 6:30 p.m. | Pioneer Museum in Alaskaland
Weekly folk and light pop music jam, all acoustic instruments welcome.
Ice Music Jam
Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 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.
Mycorrhizal Mysteries
Sunday, Oct. 17 | 12–4 p.m. | Farmhouse Visitor Center, Creamer’s Field
Explore Alaska’s fascinating fungi at Friends of Creamer’s Field’s free “Mycorrhizal Mysteries” event, featuring crafts, treats, activities, and creepy facts about mushrooms and the underground world that helps them grow.
Related: The 13 most haunted places in Alaska
North Pole
Artlinks
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Santa’s Senior Center Corporation, Inc.
Art Links in Fairbanks offers free creative activities, music, movement, and memory-rich conversation for seniors and people living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, with no registration required.
Southeast Alaska
Juneau
SAIL’s Gala and Auction Dinner
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 6–9 p.m. | Centennial Hall Convention Center
Get dressed up for an evening of dinner, auction items, and to celebrate the people who help make Southeast Alaska more accessible and inclusive.
Board Game Night
Monday, Oct. 19 | 6–9 p.m. | Devil’s Club Brewing Co.
Choose from a collection of board games or bring your own. Free.
Jazz Jam
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 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.
Related: The 9 quirkiest roadside attractions in Alaska
Kenai Peninsula
Kenai/Soldotna
Arctic Indigenous Film Festival
Friday, Oct. 16 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Kenai Peninsula College
Arctic Indigenous Film Festival: Special Screening of “Shaaghan Neekwaii” (Two Old Women) alongside a curated slate of Indigenous short films, followed by a Q&A with featured filmmakers.
Creepy Clay Crafting
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 4–5 p.m. | Kenai Community Library
Celebrate the spooky month by making a creepy face out of clay. Fake teeth, eyeballs, and multiple colors of clay provided. Registration required. Open to ages 8-18.
Homer
Coffee and Craft
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Homer Council on the Arts
Bring a project or explore new creative mediums at this free, all-ages open studio, where Homer artists and community members can share supplies, experiment, collaborate, and enjoy coffee together.
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.
