This weekend: Girdwood Forest Fair returns, and Hawaiian bands bring aloha to Anchorage and Hope

The Fourth of July lands on Monday. And while there will be many major commemorations, celebrations and backyard barbecues across the state, there is still plenty to do in and around Anchorage over the weekend. From the Girdwood Forest Fair to First Friday events and bands bringing the aloha vibe to Alaska, here are some options for your weekend entertainment.

Arts in the parks, Friday-Sunday, Anchorage Museum, 625 C St.; Town Square Park, 544 W. Fifth Ave.; and Peratrovich Park, 500 W. Fourth Ave.

This weekend, there will be plenty of music and dancing happening downtown. Friday night will kick off with music from Ruth Miller and Kengo Nagaoka on the Anchorage Museum lawn at 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Solar Flair and The Swinging AJW Adult Jazz Quintet will perform in Peratrovich Park at 4 p.m. The ANC Market Social at Town Square Park is happening Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the 9th Army Band scheduled to play from noon to 4 p.m.

Girdwood Forest Fair, Friday-Sunday, Girdwood

The annual Forest Fair in Girdwood is all about local art and artists, hand-crafted and homemade goods, and the gathering of the community in Girdwood. The festival returns after two years off and features vendors and booths, not to mention food, treats, live music and good company. The Forest Fair parade is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged, and there will be a shuttle and a $5 commuter bus from Anchorage. There is no admission fee, no dogs, no politics and no religious orders. Public camping is prohibited during the Forest Fair, but permits are available to camp in the Forest Fair fairgrounds.

Kanekoa, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Creekbend Company, Hope

Kanekoa has been traveling the world, bring their Hawaiian jam-rock sound with them everywhere they go. Join Kanekoa and their electric ukuleles at the Creekbend on Friday and Saturday for two shows only. Tickets are $15-$25.

Aloha in Alaska Music Festival, 2 p.m. Saturday, Lei’s Poke Stop, 1142 N. Muldoon Road

The Aloha in Alaska Music Festival is an event hosted by Lei’s Poke Stop to celebrate Hawaiian music, food and culture here in Alaska. There will be performances by Maoli, Tenelle, Kaipo and more. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students, and free for kids 11 and under. VIP tickets cost $100.

Drew Erickson and Zane Penny, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Cafecito Bonito, 6307 DeBarr Road

Drew Erickson and Zane Penny will be playing an all-ages listening room show at Cafecito Bonito on Saturday night. Tickets are $10.

July First Friday

Second Run Consignment, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 720 D St.

Anchorage Museum, 6-9 p.m., 625 C St.

International Gallery of Contemporary Art, 5-8 p.m., 427 D St.

Sara’s Gift Cache, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 408 W. Fourth Ave.

Kaffee Klatsch, 3-8 p.m., 508 W. Second Ave.

49th State Brewing, 7-10:30 p.m., 717 W. Third Ave.

Sevigny Studio, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., 314 G St.

Tiny Gallery, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 706 W. Fourth Ave

Stephan Fine Arts, 6-8:30 p.m., 939 W. Fifth Ave.

The Cubby (Hotel Captain Cook), 6:30-8 p.m., 939 W. Fifth Ave.

ConocoPhillips Gallery in Grant Hall, 4:30-6 p.m., 4101 University Dr.

Captain Cook Hotel, 5-8 p.m., 939 W. Fifth Ave.