It’s a full moon and we’re in the sweet spot between leftovers and last‑minute shopping, when downtown glitters with lights and the snow underfoot squeaks like Styrofoam. I shook off my own cookie induced stupor just long enough to curate this week’s list, and boy, Anchorage is brimming with holiday cheer. From festive markets and free art nights to jazzed‑up carols and a film festival worth freezing for, there’s something for every merry‑maker. Bundle up, grab your eggnog latte and let’s dive into five ways to make this weekend awesome.

49th State Brewing’s beer garden transforms into a winter bazaar this weekend, filled with dozens of artisans from across Alaska. Browse handmade gifts, sip on spiced brews and snack on special holiday eats while your kids enjoy carriage rides and petting‑zoo encounters. The market runs three days, but Friday’s 4–8 p.m. slot feels especially magical with the brewery’s First Firkin Friday tapping and live music. Admission is free – just bring a little cash for goodies and a bag to haul your treasures home.

Kick off the weekend by strolling through downtown art spaces and warming up by the fire pits at Skhoop’s Hygge Market. The Anchorage Museum waives admission from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, offering planetarium shows every half hour and hands‑on art projects in the ArtLab. Just a few blocks away, the Hygge Market at Skhoop HQ (1413 G St.) runs 5–8 p.m., featuring local makers, warm drinks and cozy vibes. Don’t miss the lighting of the new Anchorage Mushing District arch on 4th Avenue and D Street.

Dig out your gaudiest Christmas sweater and prepare for an evening of jazzy takes on holiday classics. Rising trumpet star Alphonso Horne and his band The Congregation headline this feel‑good concert at the Discovery Theater, joined by local talents Dawn McClain, Taylor Vidic, Ives “Icey Ives” Viray and Ashley Young. Shows on Friday and Saturday begin at 7:30 p.m. and promise toe‑tapping tunes woven with humor and plenty of holiday cheer. Tickets start at $53 – reserve early, it sells out quickly.

The state’s biggest celebration of independent cinema kicks off its 25th year on Friday. The Anchorage International Film Festival runs Dec. 5–14 and spreads screenings across the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, Alaska Experience Theater, Anchorage Museum and E Street Theater. Opening night features a gala at Bear Tooth at 7:30 p.m., followed by a packed weekend schedule of documentaries, shorts and feature films. Look for highlights like In the Wake of Justice Delayed and Remaining Native, which explore Indigenous stories and resilience. Beyond the films, expect filmmaker Q&As and panel discussions.

Experience a taste of Japan at the Rice Pounding Festival, where families can try their hand at pounding sticky rice into mochi. Enjoy Taiko drum performances by Tomodachi Daiko and shop at a small flea market showcasing cultural goods. It’s a lively way to spend Sunday afternoon and pick up treats you won’t find at the grocery store.

Anchorage shines brightest when we embrace the season together. Whether you’re sipping a hot toddy at a holiday market, sketching under the northern lights in the museum’s ArtLab or tapping your toes to a jazzy take on “Jingle Bells,” there’s no shortage of reasons to get out and celebrate. The International Film Festival invites you to bask in stories from around the world, and the Rice Pounding Festival offers a chance to connect with Anchorage’s vibrant Japanese community. Pull on your coziest sweater, grab a friend (or the whole family) and make some December memories. I’ll see you under the twinkle lights.