Featured Event:
43rd Annual Girdwood Forest Fair
When: July 6–8
Where: Girdwood, AK (about a half-hour south of Anchorage)
“No Dogs ~ No Politics ~ No Religious Orders.” The Girdwood fair is three days of family fun with a parade, music, vendors galore, and enough “good vibes” to go around.
Ongoing Summer Happenings:
The Alaska Botanical Garden
When: 9am-6pm, daily, all summer long!
Where: 4601 Campbell Airstrip Rd
Events all summer include summer camp and story time for the kids, concerts for mom and dad, and art and horticulture to take anyone’s breath.
Alaska Zoo
When: 9am-9pm daily, now through the end of August
Where: 4731 O'Malley Rd
Zoos are fun anyway, but ours has different events for kids all summer long. Also, the zoo is hosting Feast for the Beast on Thursday, June 14, from 6-9pm, a fundraiser with great food and atmosphere, live and silent auctions, and guest speaker Dr. Karen Rode. Seats are limited!
Live After 5
When: Thursdays, now until August 9, 5:30pm-730pm
Where: Town Square Park
Food for the whole family, great beer and wine, and free music every Thursday evening, all summer. See you there!
Music in the Park
When: Wednesdays, now through August, 12pm-1pm
Where: Peratrovich Park
Lunchtime never sounded so good. Come enjoy great music for free. Bring a picnic
Music for Little Ones
When: Mondays, now until July 30, 12pm-1pm
Where: Peratrovich Park
Lunchtime never sounded so good TO YOUR KIDS. Come enjoy interactive music and fun with your littles. Bring another picnic!
Fresh Vegetables, Fruit and Fun!
Anchorage Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
Where: 1420 Cordova St/Central Lutheran Church
The AFM is run as a non-profit by the farmers and members that participate. It’s different every week and never dull, offering baked good, eggs, and just about everything for gardeners—oh, and fresh vegetables.
Spenard Market
When: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
Where: 2555 Spenard Rd/Under the windmill!
With traditional market gifts, farm fare, and great, fresh seafood, the Spenard Market is always a hit!
The Center Market
When: Wednesdays, 10am-6pm; Fridays 10am-6pm; Sat 10am-4pm
Where: 600 E Northern Lights Blvd/Indoors at the Sears Mall
A year-round market in Alaska? You bet—but just one. The Center Market’s offerings increase every year, from confections to tasty fruits and vegetables.
Anchorage Market and Festival
When: Saturdays, 10am-6pm; Sundays, 10am-5pm
Where: 225 E 3rd Ave
If it can be got at a market, "Alaska's Largest Open-Air Market" carries it. Not only that, but visual and performing art abounds. AND- lots of fresh produce is available at the 300+ booths. It is still a farmers market at heart, after all.
South Anchorage Farmers Market
When: Wednesdays, 10am-4pm
Where: 800 E Dimond Blvd/Diamond Center Hotel (in the back)
-AND-
When: Saturdays 9am-2pm
Where: 11111 S Center Dr/Subway Sports Centre
Do you know that Alaska imports 95% of its food? the SAFM is on a mission to support local food producers and waste less while providing farm-fresh food with local musicians playing the background music (NOT dueling banjos!).
Save the Dates!
SPARC Summer Art Classes for Kids
When: Weekdays, all June long; 9am-12pm
Where: SPARC - 425 D St.
ARC of Anchorage is hosting weekly art classes for kids ages 8-12 all through June.
- Week 1 - Ceramics June 4 to June 8
- Week 2 - Beading & Jewelry June 11 to June 15
- Week 3 - Creations & Video Shorts June 18 to June 22
- Week 4 - Screen Printing & T-Shirt Making June 25 to June 29
Downtown Summer Solstice Festival
When: Saturday June 23rd 12pm-6pm
Where: Downtown. Like, all of it.
The biggest party in Anchorage, every year. There are competitions, entertainment, food, petting zoos and face painting, and that’s just the beginning. One of many, many fun downtown events this summer.
Arctic Thunder Air Show and Open House
When: Sat June 30-July 1
Where: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage
From the Alaska Airshow Association Website:
“The Arctic Thunder Open House is hosted by Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and provides an opportunity to share the aspects of military life and operations with Anchorage and the greater Alaska community, who support the base’s ability to protect us at home, and engage overseas.
This year’s Arctic Thunder is unique with the anticipated participation of aircraft from allied air forces. There are over 40 static displays, and over seven hours of flying activities, including six military demonstrations, the joint forces demonstration, and eight civilian and warbird demonstrations.”
July 4th Festival in Seward
When: July 4 :) - All day
Where: Downtown Seward
Who says the Chamber of Commerce can’t party? Come on down south for one that increases Seward’s population about 1,200% every Fourth of July. Events include the Mt. Marathon Race, a parade, tons of vendors, and call kinds of other fun. Sorry—no pets.
Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival
When: August 18 and 19, 11am-8pm
Where: Girdwood, AK
Another fun family event in Girdwood at the Hotel Alyeska. All day fun includes free entertainment, plus beer and wine, good foot, and about any reasonable thing you can make out of a blueberry.
Alaska State Fair
When: August 23–September 3; Friday, 12pm-10pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10am-10pm; Monday/Labor Day, 10am-8pm
Where: 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK
A fair done like fairs should be: all the competitions, exhibits, and food, and even a world-class comedian. Something for everybody!
2018 Concert Series
- Stone Sour: 8/23 - 7pm
- Goo Goo Dolls: 8/24 - 7pm
- Midland: 8/25 - 7pm
- Three Dog Night: 8/26 - 6pm
- Bishop Briggs: 8/31 - 7pm
- Luke Combs: 9/1 - 7pm
- Jim Gaffigan: 9/2 - 2pm and 7pm
