Events Calendar
Events Calendar
Anchorage
NOV
1-9
Wilderness Week
Fat tire bikes, photography, writers, films, and a camp stove cook-off—all are part of this year’s Wilderness Week celebrating the urban and not-so-urban wilderness of the Circumpolar North. As part of Wilderness Week, the Great Wide Open Party, an immersive experience celebrating Anchorage’s distinct urban wilderness that features live music, food trucks, DJs, artist inventions, and other activities, takes place November 2. anchoragemuseum.org
NOV
16
Alaska Jewish Cultural Gala
Dance the night away celebrating Jewish culture, cuisine, and music in Alaska at the 16th annual gala. Enjoy live music by a renowned orchestra from Los Angeles, savor a tantalizing array of the finest Jewish entrees, and join in the bidding frenzy of the extravagant live and silent auction. alaskajewishgala.org
NOV
19
Big Band Bash
Join the Alaska Aviation Museum for the Big Band Bash. This 1940s-themed dance includes vintage photos, a photo booth, live and silent auctions that benefit the Alaska Aviation Museum, and a sit-down dinner. alaskaairmuseum.org
NOV
28
Skinny Raven Turkey Trot
The annual Turkey Trot, brought to you by Skinny Raven, is back and warmer than ever. The event will start and finish inside the Dena’ina Center so runners can stay warm. Adults run a one-loop 5K and young runners complete a 3K. Turkey Trot collects food items and will match cash donations (up to $1,000), all of which is donated to the Food Bank of Alaska. skinnyraven.com/event/turkey-trot/
NOV
29-30
Polar Bazaar: MAKE + Creative Copy
Meet artists and designers, shop, and explore the North through creative products and handmade items. Polar Bazaar features local creatives and showcases art, fashion, design, craft, recycled and upcycled items, contemporary design, and more. As part of a new element called Creative Copy, find handmade prints, books, zines, and other creative publications. anchoragemuseum.org
NOV-DEC
29-1
Ballet West: The Nutcracker
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Nutcracker at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts with the company that started it all thirty years ago–Ballet West–presented by Anchorage Concert Association. anchorageconcerts.org
Fairbanks
NOV
6-9
Gwich’in Athabascan Fiddle Dance
Get your jig on and learn the two step, double jig, duck dance, rabbit dance, and more at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. morristhompsoncenter.org
NOV
15-17
Fairbanks Holiday Marketplace
The Fairbanks Holiday Marketplace is held at the Carlson Center and is a convenient, local shopping bazaar for Fairbanks residents that features everything from hand-made soaps to beaded jewelry to imported wool sweaters. fairbanksevents.com/fairbanks-holiday-marketplace/
NOV
23
Thanksgiving for the Birds
Visitors can make bird feeders and learn about winter birds and how to feed them at Creamer’s Field Farmhouse Visitors Center from Noon to 4 p.m. friendsofcreamersfield.org
Haines
NOV
6-9
Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
Many festival activities are located at the American Bald Eagle Foundation museum, such as wildlife workshops, tours, and presentations. There are also visits to the Alaska Bald Eagle Preserve to witness the “Gathering of the Eagles,” where usually more than 3,000 eagles can be found this time of year. Other activities include Birdtalk and a local art bazaar, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and the Flight for Freedom eagle release and festival dinner. baldeagles.org/festival
Christmas Tree Decorations
Juneau
NOV
22
Reel Rock 14
Reel Rock 14 is a movie event fundraiser for the nonprofit Rock Dump climbing gym. The Reel Rock Film Tour, one of climbing’s greatest celebrations, returns this fall with a new collection of world premiere films at Centennial Hall. traveljuneau.com
NOV-DEC
29-1
Public Market
The market has taken place every Thanksgiving weekend since 1983 and includes arts, crafts, imports, photography, and wearable art, as well as food and a visit from Santa. juneaupublicmarket.com
Kenai
NOV
25
Christmas Comes to Kenai
The kick off of the holiday season begins with Santa, an electric lights parade, and fireworks at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. Santa arrives at 11 a.m., the parade begins at 6 p.m., and fireworks start at 7 p.m. kenaichamber.org
North Pole
NOV-DEC
30-26
Christmas in Ice
Christmas in Ice is a winter ice park located next to Santa Claus House in North Pole, featuring Christmas themed ice art competition pieces, ice slides, and an ice maze, adding color and light to the Interior Alaska winter. christmasinice.org
Petersburg
NOV
29
Festival of Lights and Community Tree Lighting
The lighting of the seventy-foot Community Christmas Tree is celebrated with hundreds of people walking down Nordic Drive, including Santa, carrying lightsticks or candles. Complimentary hot cider is available. Each year the tree is provided by the Public Works crew. The lighting of the tree and the decoration of the downtown power poles is done by the Petersburg Power and Light crew. petersburg.org
NOV
29
Devil’s Thumb Brew Fest
Bring on the beer, bring on the wine! Lug in those chili pots and rock and roll at the Annual Chili Feed and Brewfest at the Sons of Norway Hall. Participants will be awarded prizes for the beer and wine by “real” judges and People’s Choice awards for the various categories of chili (which change from year to year). petersburg.org
Christmas Tree Ornaments