Get into the holiday spirit with these seasonal festivities around Anchorage

Events including craft fairs, holiday light shows and visits with Santa are happening around Anchorage and the Mat-Su during the next few weeks as Alaskans celebrate the holidays.

Happening this weekend

Downtown Anchorage Holiday Market — The market features Alaska vendors, visits with Santa and his llamas, carriage rides, a holiday food truck, a 49th State Brewing Co. tasting booth, mini portrait sessions, hot drinks, fire pits and Christmas trees. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 49th State Brewing Co., 717 W. Third Ave. (Find more details on Facebook)

Christmas Village Market — Featuring vendors selling Alaskan-made and imported gifts. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dena’ina Center, 600 W. Seventh Ave. (More information at anchoragemarkets.com)

Outdoor Winter Market — Grab a cider and shop from more than 20 Alaska vendors. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Double Shovel Cider Co., 502 W. 58th Ave. Unit C. (Find more details on Facebook)

Solstice Tree Tour — The Mize Loop will be open to walkers, snowshoers and skiers for a tour of trees decorated for the holidays. Free hot drinks will be available and there will be a ski demo at the stadium for beginners. 4-8 p.m. Sunday. Kincaid Park. (More information available on Facebook)

Anchorage Concert Chorus’ Family Holiday Pops concert — This crowd-pleasing annual concert is back and in-person, though a livestreaming option is available for those who want to enjoy the show from a distance. Tickets start at $32.75; virtual streaming is $50. 4 p.m. Sunday. Atwood Concert Hall at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. (Find more details at centertix.com)

Bring Back the Light — As a show of celebration, community, solidarity and reflection, the state health department is encouraging Alaskans to step outside at 5 p.m. Sunday and light a candle, turn on lights, flashlights, headlamps or a lantern. Commemorate the moment from your porch or join others for a lighted walk through the community. (More information available on Facebook)

To celebrate solstice on Tuesday

Winter Solstice Festival — The festival includes ice skating, holiday music, rides on a horse-drawn wagon, dog sled rides, visits with Santa and his reindeer and food trucks. All activities are free and more information is available on the muni website. 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. Cuddy Family Midtown Park.

Hilltop’s Solstice Celebration — Hilltop Ski Area will celebrate the longest night of the year with a fireworks show and torchlight ski, and the festivities will also feature a reindeer farm, visits with Santa and a DJ. 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. Hilltop Ski Area. (More details on Facebook)

Solstice Light Ski in Girdwood — Nordic skiers can cruise along a 1-kilometer loop decorated with lights in this event hosted by the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club. Skiers are advised to park at parking lot A and ski to the Nordic 5K. There will be soup and possibly hot chocolate available to those who bring a drink container. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Girdwood Nordic ski trails. (More details on the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club’s website)

Recurring events

Alaska Botanical Garden Holiday Lights — Entry times happen every 15 minutes from 5-7 p.m. this Thursday until Sunday and daily from Dec. 20 until Jan. 2. The botanical garden will be closed on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. The lights will resume on Fridays and Saturdays starting Jan. 7 until Jan. 29. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online. $7 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Kids 6 and under are free. 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road. (More information at alaskabg.org)

Bright up the Night — A drive-thru holiday light display is happening daily from 5-9 p.m. at the Alaska State Fairgrounds until Jan. 1. Tickets must be purchased online. Personal vehicles cost $25, vans or limos cost $40 and buses cost $75. Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. (More information at alaskastatefair.org)

Zoo Lights — Custom light displays are visible nightly from 5-8 p.m. at the Alaska Zoo starting Friday through Jan. 2. Tickets are available online or at the gate. $12 for members and $17 for nonmembers. 4731 O’Malley Road. (Find details at alaskazoo.org)

Visit with Santa at the Dimond Center — Santa will be in the Torrid Courtyard of the Dimond Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon-6 p.m. on Sunday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve. There is no photographer, but there is a phone stand and ring light to capture photos with Santa for no cost. Nonperishable food items will be accepted as donations to the Food Bank of Alaska. 800 E. Dimond Blvd. (More details on Facebook)

Alaska Crafters Market — Local vendors are selling gifts and goodies through an online craft market until Dec. 31. (More info at alaskacraftersmarket.com)