Anchorage’s inside scoop on the weekend
Hello friends – Mr. Anchorage here. This weekend feels especially celebratory: the Municipality is turning 50, there’s a funky concert at Bear Tooth and plenty of fall fun around town. I’ve dug up five events worth braving the crisp air for, all with that local‑insider flavor you’ve come to expect.
Municipality of Anchorage Hidden Gems Scavenger Hunt
Runs now through the fall
Free
The Municipality is turning 50 and they’re celebrating by sending residents on a self‑guided Hidden Gems scavenger hunt across Anchorage. They surveyed locals to create a list of ten beloved parks and public spaces — from Carr‑Gottstein Park and Fish Creek Park to the Mann Leiser Greenhouse and Beach Lake Park. To participate, visit any of the hidden gems, snap a selfie and post it with #MOA50 for a chance to win an anniversary‑branded T‑shirt. I kicked things off this morning at the Girdwood Rock Labyrinth (about a quarter‑mile up the Beaver Pond Trailhead) and will be sharing a full video of the hike on my YouTube channel and clips on TikTok and Instagram. Grab a friend or the whole family, explore a new corner of our city and share your adventure.
🎸 1st Tap with Neal Francis
Bear Tooth Theatrepub – 1230 W 27th Ave
Fri Oct 10; doors 8 p.m.; SunDog 9 p.m.; Neal Francis 10 p.m.
Tickets: $45 advance / $50 at the door (21+, no refunds)
Chicago‑based singer‑songwriter Neal Francis brings his intoxicating blend of funk, soul and rock to Bear Tooth for their 1st Tap series. Doors open at 8 p.m. with local outfit SunDog warming up the stage at 9, and Francis taking over at 10. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 day‑of, and you’ll need to be 21 or older to attend. If you haven’t heard his music, think 1960s groove with modern swagger: his debut album Changes earned rave reviews from BBC Radio 6 and his second LP In Plain Sight produced the radio favorite “Can’t Stop The Rain”. Expect a high‑energy night at one of Anchorage’s coziest venues.
🧟♂️ Zombie Half Marathon
Goose Lake → Chester Creek → Coastal Trail → Kincaid Chalet
Sat Oct 11; walkers start 8 a.m., runners 9 a.m.
Registration: $55
Lace up your sneakers, don your scariest undead makeup and hit the trails for the Zombie Half Marathon. The course starts at Goose Lake, follows the Chester Creek trail before switching to the Coastal Trail and finishes at Kincaid Chalet. Walking entrants begin at 8 a.m.; runners head out at 9 a.m. Registration is $55 and there’s no shuttle between start and finish. Whether you race for a personal best or just shuffle along, the sight of costumed zombies jogging through autumn foliage is guaranteed to make your Saturday.
🌾 Fall Fundraiser at Boyer’s Orchard
Boyer’s Orchard – Palmer
Sat Oct 11, 3–6 p.m.
Face‑painting and cider for purchase
Make the short drive north for a cozy afternoon at Boyer’s Orchard. Their fall fundraiser runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and raises money for a new irrigation system. Gather round a bonfire with a cup of warm cider, let the kids get their faces painted, and pick up treats and drinks (available for purchase). Costumes are welcome — think of it as a mini fall festival supporting a local farm.
The Nave – Spenard
Sat Oct 11, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Free
Art lovers should head to Spenard for The Nave Fine Art Fair, curated by artist Graham Dane. Over two dozen Alaska artists will display paintings, sculptures and mixed media pieces. Local art organizations will be on hand, and Boretide Pretzel Co. will serve tasty snacks. The fair runs Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and admission is free. After browsing the booths, consider taking a self‑guided tour around Spenard to see more public art.
Recap at a glance
Event | Date & time | More info |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing this fall | Visit ten parks like Carr‑Gottstein Park, Fish Creek Park and Girdwood Rock Labyrinth; post selfies with #MOA50 | |
Oct 10, doors 8 p.m.; SunDog 9 p.m.; show 10 p.m. | Bear Tooth Theatrepub; $45–$50; 21+ | |
Oct 11, 8 a.m. walkers / 9 a.m. runners | Goose Lake to Kincaid Chalet; costumes encouraged; $55 | |
Oct 11, 3–6 p.m. | Warm cider, bonfires and face painting; fundraiser for irrigation | |
Oct 11, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Free art fair featuring over two dozen Alaska artists with treats from Boretide Pretzel Co |
Final thoughts
This week’s picks offer a little bit of everything: outdoor exploration, live music, costumed cardio, harvest‑season coziness and fine arts appreciation. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the Municipality’s 50th birthday by visiting a hidden gem (don’t forget #MOA50!) and maybe I’ll spot you at Bear Tooth or on the trail dressed as a zombie. Stay curious, stay warm and I’ll see you around town.