Anchorage, Halloween costumes here have to pass a very specific test: can you still recognize the character underneath a jacket? Vampire? Excellent. Vampire wearing sensible layers? A longtime resident.
This weekend brings an Alaska hockey showdown, musical mischief, a costume-friendly run, a free symphony concert, and a Sunday celebration of remembrance. Plus, I’ve rounded up four more places for the kids to conduct their annual neighborhood candy audit.
Here are my five picks!
Weekend at a Glance
Sunday: Día de Muertos at Alaska Botanical Garden brings an ofrenda scavenger hunt and pan de muerto
Founding Partner
This week's Weekend Picks are brought to you by our Founding Partner, The Natural Pantry. They were the very first business to step up and back Mr Anchorage, and they have been feeding Anchorage's healthy appetites since 1976. If you have never wandered their aisles, consider this your sign.
Wolverines vs. Brown Bears: An Alaska Showdown
Where: Sullivan Arena, 1600 Gambell St
When: Friday, October 30, at 7 PM
Admission: Paid; check the official seat map for current prices.
Wolverines. Brown Bears. One rink. This is either an Alaska hockey rivalry or a wildlife documentary that has gotten wildly out of hand. Anchorage hosts Kenai River for a Friday night of junior hockey, giving you an excellent excuse to get loud and put your hometown loyalties to work.
Bandits on the Run: Suitcase Included
Where: Discovery Theatre, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W 6th Ave
When: Friday, October 30, at 7:30 PM
Admission: From $49.50; ages 6+. Children under 16 must attend with an adult 21 or older, with parental consent.
Three lead singers, a cello, an accordion, and a suitcase drum walk into a theatre. Fortunately, this is a concert, because I have no idea how that joke ends.
Brooklyn’s Bandits on the Run mix indie folk, pop, and Americana with three-part harmonies and a theatrical streak. A lovely Friday-night option if your preferred Halloween-weekend goosebumps come from live music.
Frightening 4K: Will Run for Candy
Where: Hotel Captain Cook courtyard, 941 W 4th Ave
When: Saturday, October 31, at 11 AM
Admission: $47 individual; $42 per person for qualifying families/teams of three or more.
Finally, a sporting event that understands my preferred fueling strategy: candy every kilometer.
Skinny Raven’s Frightening 4K brings costumes, a costume contest, and trick-or-treat stations to downtown Anchorage. Participants also get a long-sleeve shirt with glow-in-the-dark artwork. Go for speed, go for the treats, or go dressed as someone who enjoys running. All respectable approaches.
A Free Symphony Concert with Bite
Where: Bartlett High School, 1101 Golden Bear Dr
When: Saturday, October 31, from 2–3 PM
Admission: Free; no tickets needed.
The Anchorage Symphony is providing the soundtrack to your Halloween, and it has considerably more range than a motion-activated skeleton.
Expect music from Harry Potter, Jaws, and Psycho, alongside Danse macabre, “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” and more. It’s a full hour of orchestral thrills without a ticket bill. If the Jaws theme makes you suspicious of the school drinking fountain, that’s between you and the shark.
Día de Muertos at the Garden
Where: Alaska Botanical Garden, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Rd
When: Sunday, November 1, from 3–4:30 PM
Admission: Registration required; confirm program pricing through the Garden.
Give the weekend a thoughtful finish with a family-friendly exploration of Día de Muertos at the Alaska Botanical Garden.
Sunday’s session includes an ofrenda scavenger hunt, decorating, and a taste of pan de muerto. Whether this meaningful Mexican holiday is part of your family’s traditions or something you’d like to learn about, it’s an inviting opportunity to explore remembrance together. This is a special registered program, so sign up rather than relying on regular Garden admission.
Honorable Mention: The Great Anchorage Candy Circuit
For families whose Halloween itinerary requires its own logistics department, here are four more options:
APU Trick or Treat & Fall Festival: Friday, October 30, 5:30–7:30 PM, at Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Dr. Free outdoor family fun with trick-or-treating, games, and APU Nordic elite athletes and Olympians. Food purchases support the ski team. More info.
Zoo Boo: Saturday, October 31, 10 AM–7 PM, at The Alaska Zoo, 4731 O’Malley Rd. Candy stations, decorated trails, animal enrichment, and carnival games make this a whole Halloween expedition. Online tickets are $25 for ages 3+, with a $10 member discount; ages 2 and under are free. Online sales close at 9 AM Saturday, after which limited gate tickets are $28, without the member discount. Choose an entry window when booking. More info & tickets.
Trick or Treat Street: Saturday, October 31, noon–4 PM, along 4th Avenue between C and F streets. Free downtown trick-or-treating, family activities, and costume contests, including one for the dog who has been patiently tolerating that tiny cape. More info.
Trick or Treat Fish Creek: Saturday, October 31, 4–6:30 PM, along Fish Creek Trail between Kiwanis Fish Creek Park, Woodland Park, and Barbara Street Park. One starting point is 3907 E Turnagain Blvd. Free neighborhood trick-or-treating with treat and game stations along the trail. Parking is extremely limited, so walking over is encouraged. The Park Foundation currently lists a 4 PM start; some other listings say 4:30 PM, so check for updates before heading out. More info.
Know an Alaska Business with a Story to Tell?
Between hunting down weekend plans and digging into Anchorage history, I’m always looking for Alaska businesses that could use an interesting angle for marketing or exposure.
I offer packages for different budgets and businesses of all types and sizes. Know someone who wants to reach a growing Anchorage audience? Send them my way through any of my socials or [email protected]. Let’s find the story that makes people stop scrolling.
Until Next Weekend…
Get out there, cheer loudly, meet a neighbor, and give those costumes a proper outing. May your candy haul be generous, your layers be warm, and your vampire teeth survive the first caramel.
See you out there, Anchorage.
Mr Anchorage
