5 things to do in Anchorage this weekend

Alaska State Fair

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Monday; Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Highway in Palmer

Alaska’s biggest summertime gathering kicks off Friday, with rides, concerts, contests, food, fun and much more. Parking is free in 2024, and fair admission starts at $16 with $9 admission for seniors and youths ages 6-12. There’s plenty to see and do on the fair’s first weekend, which runs through Monday. The fair takes Tuesday and Wednesday off before firing back up on Thursday, Aug. 22.

[12 highlights of the Alaska State Fair’s first weekend]

The Astrerakia tou Vora "Little Stars of the North" one of several groups that performed on stage during the 29th annual Alaska Greek Festival at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church off O'Malley Road in Anchorage on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Anchorage Greek Festival

3-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; 2800 O’Malley Road

This annual celebration of Greek culture includes traditional foods, from lamb to vegan specialties, and even Greek pastries. Live Greek folk music performances and traditional dances are on tap, plus cooking demonstrations, church tours and even more events. Admission is free and parking is available at the Holy Transfiguration Church parking lot.

Alaska Latin Dance Festival

7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday; 1 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday; 2-11 p.m. Sunday; 300 E. Dimond Blvd.

This fest features three days of dance workshops, shows, parties and dancing. It is available for all levels of dancer, with or without a partner. A workshop pass is $75, individual parties are $15 and the entire weekend pass is $95.

Cayden Pili of Dimond High strips the ball from Service quarterback Jonathon Tautua as Dimond's Pea Asailevai moves in to assist at the Dimond High football stadium in Anchorage on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Bob Hallinen Photo)

High School Football Kickoff

Friday-Saturday; various locations

The high school football season kicks off this week with big games in Anchorage and the Mat-Su. On Friday, defending Division I champ West Anchorage travels to Palmer to play Colony at 7:15 p.m.; Wasilla plays at Chugiak at 7 p.m.; and Bartlett plays at Dimond at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, there are a pair of games in Anchorage: Bettye Davis East High hosts Juneau-Douglas at 2 p.m., and South Anchorage hosts Service at 6 p.m.

Runners leave the start during the Spenard Roadhouse 5K during RunFest in downtown Anchorage on Sunday morning, Aug. 18, 2019. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Alaska Runfest

8 a.m. Saturday-Sunday; downtown Anchorage

Saturday’s Runfest action starts with a shakeout run with Marko Cheseto. There is the Military Mile and the Anchorage Mile, plus the 30th anniversary block party for Skinny Raven from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday will bring a packed schedule of events with the 49K ultra, the marathon, half marathon and 5K among other races. Check the full schedule for details and the registration page for entry fees for each race.