2025 champion angler Zach Weimann celebrates victory at the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament, holding the winning catch that helped secure the title.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | February 2026
Alaska’s community spirit shows up in many flavors this season. From cultural celebration in Fairbanks to a little movie magic in Anchorage, competitive winter fishing in Homer, and a student baking challenge in the Mat-Su Valley, there are opportunities for families and neighbors to gather, learn, and have fun.
Celebrating Culture and Unity in Fairbanks
The season begins with the Festival of Native Arts, running February 26 through 28, 2026.
Held at Davis Concert Hall on the Troth Yeddha’ Campus, the festival celebrates Indigenous artistry under the theme Elevating Our Strength in Unity.
Doors open each evening at 5 p.m. with performances starting at 6 p.m. and continuing through 10 p.m. Admission is free.
The festival is hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Indigenous Studies and remains a student-centered tradition honoring culture, resilience, and shared identity.
Mystery and Nostalgia at the Concert Hall
On Friday, March 13, the lights go down and the mystery turns playful when fans gather for a special screening of the cult classic Clue.
Join the original Miss Scarlet herself, Lesley Ann Warren, live at Atwood Concert Hall for a night that mixes laughs, suspense, and a big helping of nostalgic fun.
Grab a VIP package if you want the royal treatment. Think premium seats, close-up star moments, and a chance to meet Lesley Ann Warren in person. Whether you come to solve the mystery, relive a movie favorite, or just enjoy a night out, this is one classic whodunit where everyone gets to play detective.
Winter Kings of Homer
The 32nd Annual Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Homer Harbor.
Registration is open for anglers hoping to test their skill in one of Alaska’s signature cold-weather fishing competitions.
The tournament is part of a long-running sportfishing tradition that has seen total prize awards approach $200,000 in recent years. The 2025 championship was won by Zach Weimann of Team Profishunt, who earned more than $84,000 including side tournament winnings.
Student Cake Decorating Challenge in the Valley
Is it cake?? 🧐 Young bakers ages 8 through 16 can step into the kitchen competition arena during the Individual Student Cake Decorating Competition hosted by Aurora’s Cakery and Bakery on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The event will be held at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center commercial kitchen from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and currently has limited openings, with 3 of 10 competitor spots available.
Students will receive a prepared “meal” presentation featuring three food items and will have 2.5 hours to recreate the meal using edible materials such as cake, fillings, fondant, molds, and chocolate. A required flavor element is part of the judging criteria.
The schedule includes planning time with judges, a creative construction period, a short question break, and final judging based on technical difficulty, aesthetics, flavor integration, and execution.
The competition cost is $140 per student, and direct billing is available for several local education programs. Pizza, snacks, and prizes for all participants are included. The grand prize winner will receive a $50 gift card to Allen & Peterson and a free future class.
Families interested in entering should contact Tiffiny through Messenger or email aurorascakeryandbakery@gmail.com.
As winter turns slowly toward spring, these community events offer something for nearly every Alaskan. Whether you prefer celebrating culture, solving movie mysteries, casting a fishing line, or watching young chefs build confidence through creativity, there is a place for you to gather.
Check official event pages for registration details, ticket availability, and possible schedule updates as the dates approach, and visit Alaska Headline Living for more community news, events, and stories that matter across the state.
