I hope you’ve had a restful August because September is here and it’s the busiest month in Boise! The smoke is gone, the sun is out, and the calendar is packed. Here’s a bunch of things to do in Boise in September 2026:
Sept 1-6: Boise Hawks vs. Idaho Falls Chukars
Boise Hawks end the 2026 season with a 6 game run against Idaho Falls Chukars. Tuesday is Fan Appreciation Week and $5 Tuesday, Wednesday is Bark in the Park / Hometown Heroes, Thursday is Thirsty Thursday, Friday is Firework Friday, Saturday is Money Giveaway, and Sunday is Kids Club Sunday. Games start at 7:05pm.
Sept 2-6: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic
Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is happening Wednesday, September 2 – Sunday, September 6 at Ann Morrison Park in Boise. It’s an iconic Boise event! This year is the 35th anniversary of the festival. Colorful hot air balloons launch from Ann Morrison Park around 7:20am every morning. Wednesday is Kid’s Day, where kids can see balloons up close before they launch. Thursday is a 7:20am launch. Friday has a morning launch and an evening event called Nite Glow Spectacular with balloons, food, vendors and live music starting at 5pm. Saturday and Sunday have early-morning launches around 7:20am. It’s all free!
Sept 3-5: Kuna Stampede Rodeo
Kuna Stampede Rodeo is happening Thursday, September 3 – Saturday, September 5 at Crooked 8 Event Center in Kuna. Gates open at 5pm and the rodeo starts at 7pm each night, with mutton bustin’, vendors, food trucks, music and three nights of rodeo action. Thursday is Family Night, Friday is Patriot Night and Saturday is Home Town Night. Tix start around $17, depending on seating area, and kids 5 and under are free.
Sept 4: Namptons Music Festival
3rd Annual Namptons Music Festival is happening at Lloyd Square Park in Downtown Nampa from 5-10 PM. It’s a local music festival with performances by three local acts: Red Light Challenge, Sophia Pearle, and Ryan Curtis Band, plus DJ Juan Bautista spinning between sets. There’s a new mini craft beer garden this year. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. It’s free and family-friendly!
Sept 5: Meat & Tater BBQ Fest
Meat & Tater BBQ Fest is happening Saturday, September 5 at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian from 10am–4pm. It’s a big Labor Day weekend BBQ party with a barbecue competition, a car show, live music, local food, vendors, a kids zone, and beer garden. There’s also a Lions Club pancake breakfast starting at 7am. It’s free to attend!
Sept 5-6: Boise Comic Arts Festival
Boise Comic Arts Festival is back on Saturday, September 5 from 10am-6pm and Sunday, September 6 from 12-5pm at Boise Centre. It’s the 14th year of the festival. There’s tons of stuff to do, including exploring Artist’s Alley, cosplay, panels, performances, portfolio reviews, workshops, and so much more. It’s free to attend!
Sept 5-7: Final Summer Weekend at Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin is closing out summer with one last big weekend before getting ready for winter operations. Head up the mountain to hike, bike, do yoga, listen to live music, and explore summer activities like The Gravity Park, Mineshaft Challenge Course, Glade Runner Mountain Coaster, and Explorer Base Camp. It’s open 11am-7pm through Labor Day.
Sept 6: Sunnyslope Wine Festival
Sunnyslope Wine Festival is happening at Ste. Chapelle Winery in Caldwell from 12–5pm. It’s a celebration of Idaho wine country with pours from 20 Sunnyslope Wine Trail wineries, live music, food trucks, and local artisan vendors. This is one of the best ways to experience Idaho wine! Tix are $55 for a tasting pass or $25 for designated driver. 21+
Sept 11-12: World Village Festival
World Village Festival is happening Friday, September 11 – Saturday, September 12 at JUMP in downtown Boise. The festival celebrates the many cultures represented throughout Idaho with dance, music, storytelling, poetry, art, film, cultural demonstrations, international food and more. Friday hours are 4–10pm and Saturday hours are 10am–10pm. It’s free and very family friendly!
Sept 11-13: Art in the Park
Art in the Park is happening Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13 at Julia Davis Park in Boise. The huge outdoor art festival features 240 artists selling everything from pottery and textiles to jewelry, glass and metalwork. There’s also 30ish food vendors, live music and hands-on kid’s activities. Hours are 10am–8pm Friday and Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday. It’s free to attend!
Sept 12: 42nd Annual Harvest Classic
Nampa’s Harvest Classic is happening Saturday, September 12 at Liberty Park in Nampa from 8–11:30am, with races starting at 9am. Choose from an 8K run, 2-mile run, 2-mile walk or 1-mile non-competitive race, then stick around for food, vendor booths, kids activities, and prizes. Tix are $15 for ages 12 and under and $30 for ages 13+. Proceeds support local school PE departments and the Nampa Parks & Recreation Scholarship Program.
Sept 12: Boise State Football Home Opener vs. Memphis
Boise State Football kicks off its home season at Albertsons Stadium against Memphis at 4pm. Tailgating starts hours before kickoff around campus. Tix start at $49.
Sept 12: Space Day
Space Day, presented by the Children’s Museum of Idaho, is happening at the Nampa Civic Center from 10am–2pm. It’s a day of hands-on activities, planetarium shows, Space Trivia, robotic demonstrations, presentations from scientists and engineers, and more. Admission is free!
Sept 12: Boise Brewing Beard Battle
The 2nd Annual Boise Brewing Beard Battle is happening at Boise Brewing Taproom starting at 6pm. Watch or compete in the beard contest with medals in four judging categories. Entry fee to compete is $10, with proceeds going to Idaho2Fly men’s cancer nonprofit. Enjoy food, drinks, and live music from Boulder Hill Band. It’s free to attend!
Sept 12: Don’s Supreme Show & Shine
Don’s Supreme 7th Annual Show & Shine is happening at Westside Drive-In from 5-9pm. This community car show brings together hot rods, local vendors, and live music, with all proceeds benefiting My Places Community Events. It’s free to attend and car registration is $10 for those entering a vehicle.
Sept 12-13: Party At The Pen
Party At The Pen is happening Saturday, September 12 from 10:30am-5:30pm and Sunday, September 13 from 10:30am-3:30pm at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. It’s the Northwest’s largest vintage motorcycle show. There’s also a vintage cars, tattoo artists, tin type photos, art, vendors, and food & beer. It’s $30 for GA, $45-$55 for ride-in, or $80 for VIP. Kids 12 and under are free.
Sept 15: From Boise Dinner Club
From Boise Dinner Club is back on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30pm throughout in downtown Boise. Fill out a lil quiz, get matched with six strangers for dinner at a local restaurant and then enjoy an after party with the whole group. Tix are $16. Book your seat here.
Sept 15: Taste of Idaho
Taste of Idaho is happening Tuesday, September 15 at the Ford Idaho Center Plaza in Nampa from 5–8pm. The annual harvest celebration features a locally inspired dinner, live music, networking and a beer and wine garden. This year’s menu includes tri-tip, grilled peach salad, roasted potatoes, and huckleberry peach cobbler. Tix are $50 for Nampa Chamber members or $60 for non-members.
Sept 18: Creative Mornings
CreativeMornings Boise is relaunching and I get kick things off! I’ll be speaking at JUMP from 8:30-10am on this month’s theme, Current. There’s coffee, breakfast, and networking to start. I’d love to see you there. It’s free!
Sept 18-19: Eagle Jazz & Blues Fest
Eagle Jazz & Blues Fest is happening at multiple venues throughout downtown Eagle. Now in its fifth year, this two-day celebration brings nationally touring and local jazz and blues musicians. Tix are a la carte per venue and some events are free, so you can plan your own route.
Sept 18-19: Das Alpenhaus Oktoberfest
Das Alpenhaus Deli’s Oktoberfest is happening Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 from 3-10pm at 1340 S Vista Avenue. This is the most authentic you’ll find! Expect traditional Volksmusik and Oktoberfest music from local bands, plus all the classic eats like pretzels, schweinehaxe, brats, and German potato salad. There’s German and Austrian Oktoberfest beers, red wine, a chilled white wine, soft drinks, and water. No outside beverages (even water) allowed. It’s kid and dog-friendly, but it is kind of hectic and loud and can get crowded, so keep that in mind!
Sept 18-19: Payette’s Oktoberfest
Payette’s Annual Oktoberfest Celebration is happening Friday, September 18 from 5-10pm and Saturday, September 19 from 2-10pm at Payette Provisions. Two full days of bier, brats, and Bavarian fun. Admission is free and open to all ages. Tokens are $8/token and can be used to buy a 20ml bier fill or 2 Acme Bakeshop pretzels. Also you have to have a Payette Oktoberfest branded steins or boots to use at the event, which you can bring from previous years or purchase there. You can pre-purchase tokens and steins, which is definitely the move because then you get to skip the line! In addition to the drinking there will be live music, activities and games, and German-inspired food. Kids are welcome, chill dogs on leashes are welcome, and lederhosen, dirndls, and Bavarian hats highly encouraged.
Sept 18-19: Indian Creek Festival
Indian Creek Festival is happening Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 at Indian Creek Plaza and throughout downtown Caldwell. Friday hours are 6–9pm with a car show and live music, then Saturday starts at 7am with the Fireman’s Breakfast and continues with a classic car show, vintage motorcycles, Chalk the Block, 4-H activities, a vendor market, first responder tug-of-war and the famous Cardboard Kayak Race. It’s free to attend!
Sept 18-20: Hyde Park Street Fair
Hyde Park Street Fair aka Hyde Park Hippie Fair, is happening Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20 at Camel’s Back Park in Boise’s North End. The funky neighborhood festival has been a Boise tradition since 1979 and features nearly 200 vendor booths, food, art, clothing, jewelry and crafts, plus live entertainment on two stages all weekend. Hours are 4–9:30pm on Friday, 10am–9:30pm on Saturday and 10am–6pm on Sunday. It’s free to attend!
Sept 18-20: Boise Pride Festival
Boise Pride Festival is happening Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20 at Ann Morrison Park. Park entry is free all weekend, with paid ticketed add-ons: Friday night brings Chrissy Chlapecka and Trixie Mattel (tix are $26.20), Saturday’s full day of free festival activities wraps with fireworks at 9pm, and there’s a 21+ Pride Afterparty at Treefort Music Hall (tix are $32.75). Sunday kicks off with the Pride Parade at 10am, followed by free entertainment in the park.
Sept 19: Bug Day at Idaho Botanical Garden
Bug Day is happening Saturday, September 19 at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise from 12–5pm. The Garden is celebrating 25 years of Bug Day with 20+ interactive stations, live insects, garden games, face painting, bug art, food trucks and even a 30-foot slide. This is one of my favorite events! 🐛
Sept 19: Jordan’s Garden Center Food Truck Fiesta & Pumpkin Patch
The 4th Annual Food Truck Fiesta & Pumpkin Patch is happening at Jordan’s Garden Center from 2-6pm. Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with food trucks, live music, and a free pumpkin patch complete with a hay maze, corn box, and petting zoo. It’s free! Tractor rides available for an extra fee.
Sept 25: Nampa Wine and Cider Festival
The 3rd Annual Nampton’s Wine & Cider Festival is happening at Lloyd Square Park in Downtown Nampa from 6-9 PM. Sip and stroll through downtown with wine and cider from local vendors. Ticket details are TBD!
Sept 25-27: Potato Days
Potato Days is happening Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27 at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian. It’s Idaho’s official potato celebration with loaded baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries, tots, and potato soup. There’s also live local music, a beer garden, local vendors, and free lawn games for kids. It’s free and family friendly!
Sept 26: St. Luke’s FitOne
St. Luke’s FitOne is happening Saturday, September 26 through downtown Boise with 5K, 10K and half marathon distances. The courses start in downtown Boise, go up to the Boise Depot, and follow the greenbelt before finishing with a big party at Ann Morrison Park. September registration for the 5K is $40–$50 and the 10K is $50–$60 depending on when you register; the half marathon is currently sold out with a waitlist. It’s very family-friendly! Walking and strollers are welcome.
Sept 26: Old Boise Oktoberfest
Old Boise Oktoberfest is happening Saturday, September 26 in the street at 6th & Grove from 2-10pm. Enjoy games, dancing, food, Oktoberfest bier, and live music from DJ Eric Rhodes. Tix are $10 or $5 for ages 12 and under.
Sept 26: Nampa Oktoberfest
Nampa Oktoberfest is happening at the Nampa Civic Center from 3-9pm. There will be food, drinks, a brat eating contest, a stein holding competition, a cornhole tournament, German outfit contest, live Music by Jace Kempke, and more. Tix start at $55 and include a mug, drink token, and brat token.
Sept 26: Kids in Aviation Day
Kids in Aviation Day is happening at Payette Municipal Airport from 11am-4pm. This free family event lets kids explore aircraft, meet pilots, and dig into hands-on STEM activities. It’s perfect for any little who love planes. It’s free!
Sept 27: Open Streets Boise
Open Streets Boise is happening September 27 from 12-5pm in the Collister neighborhood. Hosted by the Boise Bicycle Project, this car-free celebration temporarily shuts down neighborhood streets so folks can bike, walk, and roll through a part of Boise you might not visit on the daily, while checking out local food, art, and live music. It’s free!
More things to do in September
Go for a hike
Fall is my favorite time to hike! This month, check out Hawkins, Buena Vista, or Stack Rock.
Visit a farm
It’s harvest season! Cherry Hill Farms has upick peaches, nectarines, apples, and flowers, a farm store, and a fall festival kicking off on Sept 25. Lovely Hollow Farm has rows and rows of beautiful flowers that are ready for building your own bouquet, plus weekly events on the farm.
Stroll the Idaho Botanical Garden
Idaho Botanical Garden has a new entrance plus tons of plants and gardens to explore. We love going to the garden at least once a month!
Go to an AC Boise Soccer Match
Boise’s first AC Boise Soccer season goes through October so your time to catch a match is coming to a close soon. Home matches this month are on Sept 11 at 7pm and Sept 16 at 7pm.
Drink a fresh hop beer
If you didn’t already know, Idaho is the second largest hop producing state in the United States, and home to the United States’ largest hop farm! Most of these farms are just outside of Boise. A fresh hop beer is a seasonal beer made with whole-cone hops that go straight from the farm to the brewery and are used within 24 to 36 hours of harvest, without being dried or processed into pellets. A few places to look for fresh hop beers: Payette Provisions, Hops & Bottles, Boise Brewing, Lost Grove, Loose Screw Brewing, Matlack’s, Bittercreek Alehouse.
If you’re looking for more things to do, check out our new event calendar! As always, we’ll keep you up to date on all the fun things happening in Boise every Thursday.
Thanks for reading! Have fun out there!
With love from Boise,
Marissa
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