7 Things to Do in Anchorage This Weekend

Updated: May 10, 2024Published: May 9, 2024

"Matilda the Musical" is being performed by Anchorage Community Theatre May 9-19. (Photo provided by Anchorage Community Theatre)

Matilda the Musical

7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; Sydney Laurence Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

Anchorage Community Theatre closes its 70th season with this musical based on the children’s book about Matilda Wormwood. Both kids and adults should enjoy the dance numbers and memorable songs. Tickets are $35, $30 for military, seniors, students and teens and $25 for kids 12 and under and educators.

Barefoot in the Park

This classic Neil Simon rom-com is among the top 10 longest-running nonmusical plays in Broadway history. The show opens this weekend and runs until June 2 at Cyrano’s. Tickets are $30 and $27 for military, seniors and students.

Annual Ship Creek Spring Cleanup

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; The Bait Shack, 212 W Whitney Rd.

Last year the annual effort helped remove 2,000 pounds of trash from the banks of Ship Creek. This year in its 12th year, the group hopes to have an even larger group working to keep the creek clean. Volunteers are asked to dress in layers and dress warm. Remember to bring rubber boots or waders, wear good gloves and an orange safety vest. There are giveaways after the work is done for volunteers so stick around.

Beard, Booze & Bacon Festival

5-11 p.m. Saturday; Sullivan Arena, 1600 Gambell St.

Alaska’s Mr. Fur Face competition will be decided this weekend in this event brought together by the Miners & Trappers Charity Ball and the South Central Alaska Beard & Mustache Club. Tickets are $60 and include 12 tickets for 4-ounce samples from local breweries or $20 for beard competitors/nondrinkers.

Anchorage Symphony Season Finale

7:30 p.m. Saturday; Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

Featuring Terrence Wilson on piano, the season finale promises to be filled with “celebratory tones” and “captivating piano virtuosity.” Works from Gao Hong, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Sergei Rachmaninoff will be performed. Tickets start at $27.50.

Alaska Native Heritage Center. (Sarah Bell / ADN file)

Alaska Native Heritage Center 25th Anniversary

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Alaska Native Heritage Center, 8800 Heritage Center Drive

The Alaska Native Heritage Center has been closed for renovations since February, but it reopens this weekend to showcase the new spaces and celebrate its 25th anniversary. Admission will be free Sunday, with Alaska Native dance performances, cultural demonstrations, a fry bread-making demonstration, an Alaska Children’s Museum pop-up and a flower painting station.

Anchorage Civic Orchestra Spring Concert

4:30 p.m. Sunday; Discovery Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

This Mother’s Day concert is designed for listeners of all ages with favorites like “Toy Symphony” and Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.” Tickets are $23.75, $18 for seniors and $14.75 for those 18 and under.