Holiday Concerts: Anchorage Mandolin Orchestra and Anchorage Concert Chorus
5:30 p.m./7:30 p.m. Friday; Anchorage Museum, 625 C St.
Enjoy some holiday music from two of the best local ensembles. The Anchorage Mandolin Orchestra kicks things off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Anchorage Concert Chorus at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the museum is free as part of First Friday.
Anchorage International Film Festival
All weekend, various locations throughout Anchorage
Billed as “films worth freezing for,” the Anchorage International Film Festival kicks off its 24th year this weekend with a bevy of films, from short film showcases, to documentaries and narrative features. Tickets are sold individually for events and full-length films, so check the festival’s website for full details at anchoragefilmfestival.org.
Mean Girls
7:30 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m./7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m./7 p.m. Sunday; Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W. Sixth Ave.
The Broadway hit comes to Anchorage as the audience follows protagonist Cady Heron as she navigates being the new girl in a high school. Tickets range in price from $49 to $139, and performances continue next week starting Tuesday.
[Fresh shows and new challenges: Broadway Alaska kicks off 2nd season with ‘Mean Girls’]
Ugly Sweater Holiday Show
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Discovery Theatre, 621 W. Sixth Ave.
Portland Cello Project returns to headline the Ugly Sweater Holiday Show with a fun and jazzy approach to holiday classics. Local guest artists include Ashley Young, Stephen Grantier, Hunni Davis and Kevin Worrell. Tickets range from $48.50 to $63.25.
The Darkening North
4 p.m. Sunday; UAA Fine Arts Building, 3700 Alumni Drive
The Alaska Electronic Orchestra returns for its second performance of the season with a new theme. This show features Yngvil Vatn Guttu and Lena Lukina, and tickets are $25.
First Friday
Anchorage Museum: Heyi Days, named for an Athabaskan word for winter, will feature activities and events. There will also be multigenerational housing design presentations, an art lab, holiday concerts and docent-led talks on guided meditation, Tlingit cultural belongings and more. Free admission. 625 C St., 6-8 p.m.
Alaska Art Alliance: First Friday at the Alaska Art Alliance, in partnership with the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The alliance was started to help Alaska Native men navigating challenges like homelessness or addiction through the practice of traditional arts and crafts. 328 W. Fourth Ave., 5-8 p.m.
Akela Space: Saltwater Swans by Victoria Petersen and Emily Mesner. 320 W. Sixth Ave., 6-9 p.m.
Bottoms Up Boutique: Featuring pottery from Rayne Athanas. 320 W. Fifth Ave., 4-8 p.m.
Midnight Sun Brewing: Featuring the art of Scott Clendaniel and a fresh cask of CoHoHo Imperial IPA conditioned on fresh ginger. 8111 Dimond Hook Drive, 5-9 p.m.
Anchorage Distillery: Featuring the art of Sarah K. Glaser. 6310 A St., 4-8 p.m.
49th Supply Co.: Featuring tattoo artist, painter and muralist Bisco. 405 W. Benson Blvd., 7-9 p.m.
Georgia Blue Gallery: Featuring Fairbanks artist Jessie Hedden. 3555 Arctic Blvd., 5-7 p.m.
Sevigny Studio: Alaska wildlife and landscape photographer Tim Davis. Music by Almost Angels. 312 G St., 6-9 p.m.
Tiny Gallery: Featuring weaver Farrah Weinert. 706 W. Fourth Ave., 4-8 p.m.
Stephan Fine Arts: Featuring Lynn Brautigam Boots, Adam Shea, J. Leslie and music by Pete Nolfi. 939 W. Fifth Ave., 6-8:30 p.m.
Aurora Fine Art: Featuring “Potpourri” by Marilyn Miller and a live jazz trio. 737 W. Fifth Ave., 5-8 p.m.