7 things to do in Anchorage this weekend

The Nutcracker

5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m./5 p.m. Saturday; Discovery Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

Anchorage Ballet presents a local production of the holiday classic with fan favorites including Marie, the Nutcracker Prince and the Land of the Sweets. Tickets start at $38.50.

Dark Daze Festival

6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday; 221 E. Fifth Ave.

This inaugural all-ages underground music and arts festival includes big names like Medium Build and Animal Eyes plus plenty of other local favorites. Tickets are $35 for Friday, $45 for Saturday and $59 for full weekend passes.

Winter Solstice Festival

5-8 p.m. Saturday; Cuddy Family Midtown Park, 201 E. 40th Ave.

This free festival includes ice skating, hot chocolate, photos with Santa’s reindeer and more. There will even be a horse-drawn wagon and dog sled rides, so make a reservation at the activity booth starting at 4:30 p.m.

Tuba Christmas 2024

2 p.m. Saturday; Dimond Center, 800 E. Dimond Blvd.

This free event is an annual holiday classic and has found a home at the Dimond Center mall this year. Onsite registration for tuba and euphonium players starts at 1 p.m.

Hilltop Solstice Celebration

5-8 p.m. Saturday; Hilltop Ski Area, 7015 Abbott Road

This annual party has plenty of fun with torchlight skiing and snowboarding, a DJ, cookie decorating, a photo booth and Santa’s reindeer plus plenty of food options. There will be shuttles running every 20 minutes from 5-9:30 p.m. to and from the Service High parking lot.

Dark Comedy Showcase

9 p.m. Saturday; Broken Blender, 535 W. Third Ave.

Have a laugh and use humor to confront some of life’s darker moments with a cast of comedians, including Rudy Ascott, Andrea Feniger, Quentin Johnson and Ida Taylor. Tickets are $15.

Family Holiday Pops

4 p.m. Sunday; Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. Sixth Ave.

Two hundred local singers and musicians serve up a heavy dose of holiday cheer with some favorite songs of the season. Tickets range from $35 to $59.75.