First off, thank you.

The Anchorage History Check series has been getting a lot of love lately, and I see every like, repost, comment, and “wait, really?” that comes through. It has been genuinely fun digging into the weird little corners of our northern town, then running around Anchorage collecting b-roll like a man with a salmon microphone and a civic responsibility problem.

So this weekend, consider this your reminder: Anchorage is not just a place with history. It is a place actively making stories. Some of them involve Beethoven. Some involve comic books. And one involves people voluntarily launching themselves across freezing slush in costume.

Let’s get into it.

Where: Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, 600 W 7th Ave
When: Saturday–Sunday, April 25-26, 12-6 PM
What & why: Anchorage gets a full weekend of cosplay, comics, gaming, celebrity guests, vendors, and general “I get that reference” energy. This is a strong all-ages pick if your household contains kids, collectors, anime fans, tabletop people, or adults pretending they are only going “for the kids.”
More info: Arctic Comic Con runs April 25-26 at the Dena’ina Center, with tickets listed for single and multi-day entry.

Where: Discovery Theatre, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
When: Saturday, April 25, 2 PM
What & why: Lucas Miller, “The Singing Zoologist,” brings a kid-friendly mix of music, comedy, puppets, science, and animal facts to the stage. This one is ideal for families who want something educational without it feeling like homework with theater lighting.
More info: Alaska Junior Theater lists the public matinee for Saturday, April 25 at 2 PM in the Discovery Theatre; CenterTix lists it as a 55-minute show for ages 5+.

Where: Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W 6th Ave
When: Saturday, April 25, 7:30 PM; Sunday, April 26, 3 PM
What & why: Anchorage Symphony closes its 80th anniversary season with Beethoven’s Ninth and more than 250 musicians, joined by Anchorage Concert Chorus, Alaska Chamber Singers, West High Concert Choir, and featured soloists. Translation: this is the classy pick. Wear something nice, sit up straight, and let 250 people remind you that humans occasionally do amazing things together.
More info: Anchorage Symphony lists performances Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 3 PM at Atwood Concert Hall.

Where: The Cheeky Room under The Broken Blender, 535 W 3rd Ave
When: Friday-Saturday, April 24-25; doors 7 PM, seating 7:30 PM, show 8 PM
What & why: A pop-culture-inspired burlesque show for the grown-ups who know that “nerd night” and “date night” can absolutely be the same night. Expect geeky, theatrical, wink-heavy cabaret energy. Not family friendly, obviously. Unless your family is dramatically different than mine.
More info: CenterTix lists Vaudeville Vibes for April 24-25 with an 8 PM showtime; Sweet Cheeks Cabaret lists the venue as The Cheeky Room under The Broken Blender.

Where: St. Andrew Kim Parish, 7206 Lake Otis Pkwy
When: Saturday, April 25, 10 AM-2 PM
What & why: Homemade Korean food, sweet and savory dishes, and one of the most dependable weekend truths: if a church food bazaar is happening, somebody’s auntie is probably cooking better than most restaurants. Bring cash and an appetite.
More info: Alaska Public Media lists the Korean Food Bazaar for Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM-2 PM at St. Andrew Kim Parish.

Where: Alyeska Resort, Girdwood
When: Friday-Sunday, April 24-26
Why it deserves the long version: This is the weekend where Alaska collectively looks at spring, looks at a freezing pond, and says, “Yeah, I could probably make it across that.”

Alyeska’s 49th Spring Carnival runs April 24-26 with the theme “The Last Frontier.” Friday night is the costume contest at the Sitzmark from 6-8 PM, and that is not just for bragging rights: all 50 Slush Cup entries are earned through the costume contest. Contestants must be 16 or older, costumes must be PG-13, and there is a $50 entry fee.

Saturday is the main event. The venue and beer garden open at noon, live music starts at 1 PM, the Idiot Swim hits the pool at 3 PM, the national anthem is at 3:45 PM, and the Alaska Airlines Slush Cup runs from 4-6 PM. The winner gets a choice of an Alyeska 2026-2027 season pass or two Alaska Airlines “Fly Anywhere” vouchers.

Sunday shifts into Family Funday mode with registration and the Mini-Midway opening at 11 AM, Sugar Shack Brunch at 11 AM, Dummy Downhill at 1 PM, Alaskan Gladiator at 2 PM, and XTRATUF Tug-o-War at 3 PM. Alyeska also notes parking will be limited and recommends carpooling; there is also a commuter bus option between Anchorage and Girdwood for Saturday’s main event.

This is not technically an Anchorage city-center event, but come on. If half of Anchorage disappears down the Seward Highway wearing ski gear and questionable costume judgment, it counts.

The link!

Whether you’re watching superheroes downtown, eating homemade Korean food, getting cultured by Beethoven, or standing in Girdwood asking, “Wait, are they actually going to ski across that?”, this weekend is a good reminder that Anchorage knows how to show up.

And seriously, thank you again for helping the Anchorage History Check series grow. Every repost helps get these local stories in front of more people, and every comment gives me another rabbit hole to fall into with a camera, a notebook, and an increasingly suspicious salmon microphone that TikTok has named “Chicken”.

See you out there, Anchorage.