Go to these great fall festivals and events in and around Anchorage, including farm harvest festivals, Oktoberfests, and cultural activities.
When the air takes on a chill, leaves change color, and there’s a bit of termination dust on the peaks, you know fall is here. After a season of amazing summer festivals in Alaska, it’s time to settle in and enjoy the fall season with an array of spectacular—and sometimes spooktacular—fall events and activities in Anchorage and nearby.
Each fall, Anchorage and surrounding communities come alive with a wide variety of festivities to celebrate the season. Bring your kids to a pumpkin patch, harvest festival, or trunk-or-treat event, or head to an Oktoberfest celebration or run. There’s even an Oxtoberfest to celebrate the season with musk oxen at the educational Musk Ox Farm in Palmer. Visitors and residents can also enjoy cultural events like Anchorage Museum’s Feria Artesenal and the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention and Alaska Native Customary Art Fair.
So be sure to mark your calendar for these fun festivals and events in Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Alyeska Resort, and beyond.
Alyeska Climbathon (Sept. 12)
Get ready to run or walk in Alyeska’s Climbathon on September 12. This is the 19th year of the annual event, which allows participants 10 hours to make as many laps of the North Face Trail as possible.
Participants run up the 2.2-mile trail, gaining 2,000 vertical feet along the way, and once they reach the top, they can take the Alyeska Resort Tram down to the base to complete a lap. The record is 13 laps, which equals 28.6 miles and 26,325 vertical feet.
The event is a fundraiser for women’s gynecological cancers.
Skinny Raven’s Oktoberfest 5k and 10k (Sept. 19)
Get ready to participate in Skinny Raven’s Oktoberfest 5k and 10k on Sept. 19. The event will be held in Anchorage’s Ship Creek area, providing a mostly flat course.
Racers are encouraged to wear Oktoberfest outfits, such as lederhosen, for the event, which raises money for an organization that supports at-risk youth. After the run, enjoy pretzels and beer.
Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm Fall Harvest Festival (Sept. 19, Sept. 26, and Oct. 3)
Celebrate the harvest at Pyrah’s Pioneer Peak Farm Fall Harvest Festival in Palmer, which takes place this year on three Saturdays: Sept. 19, Sept. 26, and Oct. 3.
Grab a ticket for this family-friendly event and enjoy a pumpkin patch, hayrides, minigolf, games, pedal tractors, animals, face painting, and more. Be sure to purchase tickets online before the event.
Alyeska Oktoberfest (Sept. 25-26)
Don your lederhosen and dirndl for Alyeska’s Oktoberfest on September 25 and 26.
The all-ages event features live music with German bands, Oktoberfest games for kids, a variety of activities, and an adult Olympics. On Saturday, see the Alaska Potbelly Pig Rescue and visit the petting zoo. Be sure to enjoy tasty German bites and drinks, including a variety of beers.
The Arc of Anchorage Trunk or Treat (Sept. 26)
Dress up the little goblins for The Arc of Anchorage Trunk or Treat on Sept. 26. The trunk-or-treat event provides candy and prizes for kids of all ages in an inclusive environment. Enjoy food trucks, music, carnival games, face painting, a photo booth, and more.
The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit, which works to provide services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Trunk-or-treaters pay a $10 fee, and accompanying parents are free.
Anchorage Museum Feria Artesenal (Oct. 2)
Spend an evening learning about and celebrating Latin American heritage at the Anchorage Museum Feria Artesenal on Oct. 2.
Enjoy live music and food while seeing artists and cultural representatives, learning about history and culture, and appreciating traditional artwork and crafts. The event is free, with art and products for sale.
Oxtoberfest at the Musk Ox Farm (Oct. 3)
Head to Palmer’s Musk Ox Farm for the ultimate Oktoberfest celebration: Oxtoberfest on Oct. 3.
See the farm’s herd of 77 musk oxen during its biggest fundraiser of the year. The farm focuses on gently raising musk oxen, using their soft underwool (called qiviut), and providing educational activities.
During Oxtoberfest, sway to music by the 12-piece brass band Alaska Blaskapelle—who just might wear lederhosen for the show.
Eat a delicious meal of bratwurst (with a vegetarian option available), sauerkraut, potato salad, giant pretzels, and more, in addition to a selection of beers. General admission is $80, and VIP tickets are $200.
Alaska Aviation Museum Big Band Bash (Oct. 3)
Wear your best outfit from the 1940s and head to the Alaska Aviation Museum Big Band Bash on Oct. 3. There will be a costume contest for ensembles from the decade.
The Anchorage Jazz Ensemble will perform, so attendees can enjoy plenty of music and dancing (including dance lessons!).
An optional dinner is available, with tickets that include dinner selling for $125 each and dancing-only tickets at $50 each. Be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.
There will be a raffle, as well as live and silent auctions. The event supports the Food Bank of Alaska with canned food donations.
Reindeer Farm Fall Family Fun Event (Oct. 10-24, select days)
The Reindeer Farm is located in Palmer near the Bodenburg Butte, around 45 minutes from Anchorage.
This year’s Fall Family Fun Events will be held on several Fridays and Saturdays in October, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 10.
An array of fun activities will keep the whole family entertained, including an opportunity to take photos with the reindeer. Kids under 10 can also partake in pony rides.
Take a spooky haunted house walk, try out the hay maze, go for a reindeer train ride, or take a spin on the horse-drawn (or opt for the tractor-pulled) wagon. Also be sure to visit the pumpkin patch.
All activities are outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather. Food trucks, coffee, and hot chocolate will be available to warm and fuel you for a day of family fun.
Be sure to book a reservation ahead of time online. Tickets are $20 for ages 3+, and kids 2 and under are free.
Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention and Alaska Native Customary Art Fair (Oct. 22-24)
This year’s Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Convention theme is “Rooted in Land and Tradition, Rising in Our Voices.” This is the event’s 60th year, and it will be held in Anchorage Oct. 22-24.
Many events are open to the public, including speeches, booths, sessions, art displays, dance events, and the Alaska Native Customary Art Fair. More than 170 Alaskan Native artists and craftspeople will feature their work at the event, as well as a number of Native American artists from the Lower 48. The event also includes several ticketed evening events.
