A Look at the Most Popular November Events in Alaska

In addition to all its amazing opportunities for adventure, Alaska boasts an incredible array of fun events to attend in November. Each event brings the community together to celebrate everything they love about the area and the world at large. There is something for everyone at all the local events, making them a must-see for people all around. Here's a rundown of the most popular November events in Alaska to help everyone fill out their fall schedule.

Sitka Whalefest

The celebration of science and everything marine life occurs once a year at the Sitka Whalefest. For 2019, this event will run from October 31st (5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) through November 3rd (8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.), located at 834 Lincoln Street, Sitka, Alaska 99835, and centers around the theme, “Mysteries of our Changing Seas.”

Across this three-day science symposium at the Sitka Sound Science Center, speakers from all disciplines will discuss these mysteries and look well into the future. Each day, they will explore a different facet of this topic from looking at the indicators of change to exploring the impacts.

32nd Annual Holiday Food and Gift Festival

Once a year for the past 32 years, people across Alaska have traveled to the Holiday Food and Gift Festival to prepare for the celebrations ahead. This year, it will be held on November 2nd (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and 3rd (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.) at the Dena'ina Center, located at 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.

Local artisans from all over the state come to this market to sell their many hand-made creations, including:

• Skin care products
• Clothing
• Jewelry
• Artwork
• Crafts
• Home décor
• Gourmet food and drinks

Hundreds of talented vendors show up to this event each year, giving everyone a great selection of gifts to consider.

25th Annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival

In its 25th year running, the 25th Annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival will once again hit Haines, Alaska from November 6th through 9th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Held at the American Bald Eagle Foundation located at 113 Haines Highway, Haines, Alaska 99827, the event will include:

• Wildlife workshops
• Live raptor presentations
• Tours

The main attraction, however, is the bald eagles that arrive by the thousands to feed on the late season salmon running upstream. In addition to watching the eagles feed, people can from far and wide to see that year's rehabbed eagles released into the wild.

Pop-Con 2019

Everyone in Alaska can come celebrate their love of pop culture at Pop-Con 2019. From November 7th through the 9th from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m., this event will dominate the Wood Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, located at 505 S Chandalar, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775. People can visit the many booths exploring all the different aspects of pop culture, such as:

• Movies
• Video games
• Comics
• Books

They will have many vendors set up to give everyone a chance to take home their favorite goods. Many activities will be available to keep visitors having fun alongside the major players in the many represented industries.

Gingerbread Showcase

On November 23rd (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and 24th (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.), visitors can come down to the Dena'ina Center, located at 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, to check out the Gingerbread Showcase. Both amateur and professional bakers will go head to head in creating the best gingerbread houses. All entries will need to center around this year's theme, “Elf on a Shelf.” In addition to the competition, this event will have many exceptional vendors selling their goods and wares, including everything needed to create amazing gingerbread houses.

Zoo Lights

Beginning November 23rd from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., the Alaska Zoo will host their annual Zoo Lights celebration at 4731 O'Malley Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507.Dazzling lights and holiday decorations abound across the zoo with new creations added every year. They have lighted and animated animal displays at every corner of the zoo—and even offer a chance to walk through a gorgeous canopy of lights. Their custom display stays up and running through January, giving everyone a chance to see the lights.

The Nutcracker with Ballet West

Ballet West will arrive once again to perform The Nutcracker from November 29th through December 1st at the Atwood Concert Hall, located at 621 W. 6th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Show times will be at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Across just three days, their dancers will bring this beloved holiday story to life with help from the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra. Along with the music and dances, the beautifully designed sets and costumes never fail to delight.

People across Alaska can put all these events on their calendar to keep November full of fun activities. They can also bring along family, friends, and neighbors to keep everyone having a great time together through this month and beyond.