The holiday season is officially creeping in! Scentsy’s Christmas lights ceremony kicks things off Friday, Jurassic Quest brings roaring dinos to Expo Idaho & the Idaho Veterans Parade marches through downtown Saturday. Plus, the Broncos host Oregon State, Rachel Maddow is in town & Boise gets its first-ever Italian Cultural Festival.

From Boise Things

Thursday, November 19

Boise Singles Dinner Club is back next Thursday at 6:30pm in Downtown Boise. Quick reminder: this isn’t matchmaking or speed dating. It’s a chill dinner with other single people who’d rather meet someone over a good meal than another round of swiping.

We’re almost sold out. The women’s spots are full (you can still hop on the waitlist), and we have 10 seats left for men. Fellas, come to dinner! December dates drop next week, so keep an eye out.

Single guys, grab your seat here!

Bogus Basin Mountain Report

In partnership with Bogus Basin

Opening day announced! The Bogus Basin team plans to kick off the season on Saturday, November 21 ❄️ The Easy Rider Conveyor will operate from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, offering access to a terrain park and ski/snowboard lane on the lower Coach’s Corner Run. This early opening is made possible by the mountain’s snow storage technology, Snow Secure.

FREE Avy Savvy presentations with Avalanche Science Guides return to Payette Provisions! Join us at the first session TONIGHT at 6pm 🍻 New this year: if you make all four Avy Savvy sessions, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win Bogus Basin Day tickets, a $50 Payette Gift Card, and a guided ski day with Avalanche Science Guides!

​Warren Miller’s DAYS OFF premieres at the Egyptian Theatre November 19-21. See you there!

Avenues for Hope

Every December, more than 100 Idaho housing nonprofits fundraise at the same time through Avenues for Hope, a month-long campaign that raised $6.1 million last year. What makes it different is a shared pool of money that matches donations and hands out cash prizes when nonprofits win challenges. For some of these organizations, it’s where their operating funds for the entire year come from! Donate before December 1 and your donation goes straight into the prize and match pool, and keeps working all month.

Read more on the blog

Things to do

Thursday, November 12

• Taryn Smith & Christine Turpin: MC Presents Unscripted: Herstory is happening at Boise State’s Special Events Center at 6pm. It’s a speaker event where two endurance athletes, the first solo American woman to finish the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic and the first Idahoan to swim solo across the English Channel, share their stories. Tix are $20.

Friday, November 13

• Scentsy Christmas Lights Ceremony is happening at Scentsy Commons from 6–8pm. It’s the tenth annual lights ceremony, with a dazzling holiday light display and the campus’s signature light tunnel. It’s free!
• November Night Tours is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary from 6–10pm. You can explore the historic prison after dark with a self-guided or guided tour, so bring a flashlight. Tix are $16, or 2 for $25 with code NTOUR. 13+.
• LED Gala is happening at The Dixon from 6–10pm. It’s a gala supporting LED’s artists, residencies, and original productions, with an evening celebrating art that moves people. Tix are $200.
• 1920s Escape Room is happening at the Children’s Museum of Idaho from 6:30–8:30pm. It’s an adults-only night of clues, puzzles, and Gatsby-style intrigue, so dress in your best 1920s attire. Tix are $25, which includes sodas, appetizers, and a welcome drink. 21+.
• Swiftgiving is happening at JUMP from 7–10pm. It’s a Taylor Swift dance party with trivia, lyric contests, song bingo, and friendship bracelet making, benefiting Simply Cats. It’s free, with a suggested donation of cat supplies like food, litter, or toys.

Friday, November 13 – Saturday, November 14

• King of Glory 2026 Holiday Bazaar is happening at King of Glory from 9am–2pm. It’s a holiday bazaar with Norwegian potato lefse, cookies and fudge, jams, specialty breads, handcrafted items, and stocking stuffers. It’s free!

Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 15

• Jurassic Quest is happening at Expo Idaho from 1–6pm Friday, 8am–8pm Saturday, and 9am–5pm Sunday. It’s a family dinosaur experience with life-size roaring dinos, a giant Megalodon, a woolly mammoth, baby dinos to pet, and a brick-building zone. Tix start at $26, and kids under 2 are free.

Saturday, November 14

• Eagle Veterans Day Breakfast is happening at the Eagle Senior Center from 8–10am. It’s an annual breakfast honoring veterans, active military, and their families. It’s free!
• Preservation Idaho WalkAbout Boise Downtown History Tour is happening at the Basque Museum & Cultural Center from 10–11:30am. It’s a 90-minute guided walking tour through 150 years of downtown Boise history and architecture. Tix are $15, $10 for Preservation Idaho members, and $8 for kids 13 and under.
• Idaho Veterans Parade is happening in downtown Boise from 10am–12pm. It’s the largest veterans parade in the state, kicking off with opening ceremonies on the Capitol steps and following a loop through downtown, with this year’s theme marking 250 years of service and sacrifice. It’s free!
• Shoofly Oolites: Landscape of Mars is happening near Grand View from 10am–3pm. It’s a guided geology field trip to one of North America’s largest outcrops of oolites, led by Steven Sawyer of the Idaho Museum of Mining & Geology. Tix are $20, free for museum members and kids. Pre-registration is required.
• The Digital Loom is happening at Boise Centre from 2–4:30pm. It’s a free afternoon art showcase and youth art prize, followed by an evening gala with an AR fashion runway, a mini metaverse, and a digital twin studio. The afternoon is free, and gala tix start at $45.
• Boise State vs. Oregon State is happening at Albertsons Stadium at 4pm. It’s a Pac-12 football matchup where the Broncos host the Beavers, and fans are encouraged to wear blue. Tix are sold out, but resale tix are available.
• Boise PhotoGrid: The Midway Opening Reception is happening at MING Studios at 7pm. It’s the opening of a photo exhibition by 15 photographers documenting Boise and Garden City amid rapid change, and the show stays up through December 19. It’s free!

Sunday, November 15

• Game Changer Wrestling: Bedlam in Boise is happening at Treefort Music Hall at 7pm. It’s the first Boise stop for the independent pro wrestling promotion, with hard-hitting, high-flying matches up close. Tix start at $32.75.

Wednesday, November 18

• Hops ‘N Homes is happening at Barbarian Brewing Downtown Beer Bar at 6pm. It’s a first-time home buyer seminar where you can learn the ins and outs of buying your first home in Boise, with real estate pros and a lending partner on hand. It’s free! Attendees also get a free drink.
• After Hours Music Talk: “Rock n’ Roll Radio Let’s Go! with KEXP” is happening at Treefort Music Hall at 6pm. It’s a music community meet-up and talk about radio with KEXP, with free pizza. It’s free!
• Kenny Feldsott: What Happens When We Face Ourselves? is happening at Idaho Film Society from 7–8:30pm. It’s a screening of an episode from the documentary interview series OtherWise about an artist and shaman, followed by an audience discussion and Q&A. Tix are $12. 21+.
• Trivia with Geeks Who Drink is happening at Boise Brewing from 7–9pm. It’s a weekly trivia night where you can win free beer every round. It’s free!
• Maine Mariners @ Idaho Steelheads is happening at Idaho Central Arena at 7:10pm. Tix start at $20.23.

Food finds & things to drink

Thursday, November 12

• Wine Not Give is happening at Split Rail Winery from 5–8pm. It’s a benefit night for Wish Granters with wine, raffle items, and some fun. It’s free!

Saturday, November 14

• Boise Farmers Market is at the new location at Idaho Botanical Garden from 9am–1pm.
• Capital City Public Market is on the Grove Plaza from 10am–2pm.
• Nampa Farmers Market is at Lloyd Square Park from 9am–1pm.

Sunday, November 15

• Idaho Italian Cultural Festival is happening at Idaho Film Society from 11am–6pm. It’s the first-ever festival celebrating Italian culture, with local Italian food, wine, and baked goods, an opera performance, and two screenings of Un Paese Quasi Perfetto. Tix to the screenings start at $12. 21+.

Tuesday, November 17

• Fall Flavors: For the Love of Pumpkin!!! is happening at Season + Taste Cooking School from 6–8:30pm. It’s a hands-on cooking class where you’ll make pumpkin dinner rolls with whipped cinnamon butter, pumpkin gnocchi with sage butter pan sauce, and pumpkin tiramisu. Tix are $89. 12+.
• The Gift of Wine: A Guide to Selecting Wines for Gifts and Occasions is happening at House of Wine from 6:30–7:30pm. It’s a wine class where you’ll taste five great wines for gifting and learn how to pair wines with people and occasions, with light cheese and charcuterie included. Tix are $45.

Wednesday, November 18

• French Cuisine: Cooking with Julia Child is happening at Season + Taste Cooking School from 6–8:30pm. It’s a hands-on cooking class where you’ll make stuffed mushrooms, boeuf bourguignon, truffle mascarpone potatoes, and chocolate mousse. Tix are $99 per person.
• Wine & Bites: Thanksgiving Edition w/ Life’s Kitchen is happening at House of Wine from 6:30–7:30pm. It’s a tasting of five wines paired with three holiday-inspired dishes made by Life’s Kitchen, a local nonprofit that trains young adults in culinary skills. Tix are $60.

Comedy & storytelling

Thursday, November 12

• Dirty Little Secrets of Narrative Nonfiction with Jim Ruland is happening at The Cabin from 6–8pm. It’s a writing workshop where music journalist and author Jim Ruland breaks down book proposals, ghostwriting versus collaborating, and getting the most out of interview subjects. Tix are $40.
• Casablanca is happening at The Flicks at 7pm. It’s a special screening of the classic film hosted by Capital City Kiwanis, with all proceeds going toward a new playground at Westmorland Park in Garden City. Tix are $10.

Thursday, November 12 – Saturday, November 14

• Paul Conyers is happening at The Comedy Lounge at 7pm each night. It’s a stand-up show from Bay Area comedian Paul Conyers, who’s been performing since 2016. Tix are $26.50, and there’s a 2 drink minimum.

Saturday, November 14

• Rachel Maddow is happening at the Morrison Center at 6pm. It’s an evening with the bestselling author and MS NOW host in conversation with Idaho Matters’ Gemma Goudette about her new book, Department of Fate, followed by an audience Q&A. Each ticket includes an unsigned copy of the book. Tix start at $94.75.
• Femme Fatale: These Ladies Kill is happening at Liquid Laughs Comedy Club & Lounge at 8pm. It’s Boise’s openly feminist comedy show, hosted by Krystal Moore with a fresh lineup of the valley’s funniest fems and thems each month. Tix are $24.57. 21+.
• Off Script! Improv Comedy is happening at The Creative Space at 8pm. It’s an improv comedy show where the performers build scenes and characters on the spot from audience suggestions. Tix are $15.99, or $5.99 for kids 5–12.

Sunday, November 15

• Myq Kaplan is happening at The Comedy Lounge at 7pm. It’s a stand-up show from Myq Kaplan, who’s appeared on the Tonight Show, Conan, and Letterman and has specials on Amazon and Dry Bar. Tix are $30.21, and there’s a 2 drink minimum.

Tunes & shows

Shrine Day Sale

Wednesday, November 18

One day only: Shrine Social Club is slashing prices to $11.18 all-in on select shows, plus merch discounts. Doors open at 4pm for drink specials all night and late night karaoke. Tix are limited per show, with a max of four per purchase, and the sale is online only. It runs from 12am to 11:59pm on November 18.

🎟️ See which shows are included

Thursday, November 12

• The Black Angels + Ghostwoman at Shrine Social Club (psychedelic rock/garage rock)
• Bad Quitters (Black Angels afterparty) at Shrine Social Club (americana/garage rock)
• Squirrel Flower + Sour Widows at Neurolux (indie rock/indie folk)
• Railroad Earth at Treefort Music Hall (progressive bluegrass/folk rock/americana)
• Dwight Yoakam + Wynn Williams at Idaho Central Arena (country/honky tonk)
• Turtle Poppers at Hap Hap Lounge (bluegrass/jam band)
• Dynamic Duos of the ’60s and The Buddy Holly Experience at The Riverside Hotel (60s pop/rock covers)

Friday, November 13

• Electric Avenue at The Egyptian Theatre (new wave/80s pop)
• Sueco + Jeris Johnson at Shrine Social Club (alternative rock/pop punk)
• Dogs on Shady Lane + Slow Caves + Porcelain Tongue at Shrine Social Club (indie rock/slowcore)
• Triptides at Neurolux (psychedelic rock/psych pop)
• Eivør at Treefort Music Hall (nordic folk/art pop)
• Mike Johnston Band + Lord Owl at The Olympic Venue (blues rock)
• Rotimi + Shaffy at Knitting Factory (r&b/afrobeats)
• Petty Theft at Revolution Concert House (tom petty tribute/rock)
• Daughter Lotus + Gaile + Interim at Realms Arcade
• Dynamic Duos of the ’60s and The Buddy Holly Experience at The Riverside Hotel (60s pop/rock covers)

Saturday, November 14

• KIRI at Boise Brewing
• Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA at The Egyptian Theatre (string quartet/pop covers)
• Austeria + Sautrah + Courtisde + FLYT + HA7O at Treefort Music Hall (bass music)
• Bayonne + Bobbing + Tilted Earth at Shrine Social Club (electronic/math rock/folk)
• Vansire + Ann Annie at Shrine Social Club (dream pop/ambient)
• Jeff Crosby’s Annual Homecoming Run at Neurolux (americana)
• Olivia O’Brien at Knitting Factory (pop/alt pop)
• Three Days Grace + I Prevail + The Funeral Portrait at Ford Idaho Center Arena (hard rock/alternative metal)
• Not.Greenday at Revolution Concert House (green day tribute/pop punk)
• EpicUnion at The Riverside Hotel (dance/pop covers)
• jilly FM + paxxwavez + Laurance + Lexapro + Habibi at Hap Hap Lounge (r&b)
• Concert Orchestra: Fall Concert at Borah High School (orchestra/classical)

Sunday, November 15

• Todd Rundgren at The Egyptian Theatre (rock/pop/power pop)
• Boise State University Music Dept: All Campus Band at Morrison Center for the Performing Arts (concert band/classical)
• Boise State University Music Dept: Symphonic Winds at Morrison Center for the Performing Arts (wind ensemble/classical)
• Goodnight, Texas + Wheelwright at Shrine Social Club (folk rock/americana/grunge)
• The Slightest Bits + cryshadow + Eunoian + The Mall Goth Moths at Neurolux (hard rock/alternative rock)
• Maddie Zahm + Oston at Knitting Factory (alt pop/indie pop)
• Cadette + Dumn + Sewn + Other Room There at Realms Arcade
• Mike Zito at The Riverside Hotel (blues rock)
• Sunday Jazz at Hap Hap Lounge (jazz)

Monday, November 16

• Alex Cameron + Josh da Costa at Shrine Social Club (synth pop/new wave)
• Russian Circles + Primitive Man at Treefort Music Hall (post-metal/doom metal)
• Kingdom of Giants + Deadlands + Holy Wars + Night Rider at Neurolux (metalcore/hardcore)
• Foy Vance + Bonnie Bishop + Ryan McMullan at Knitting Factory (folk rock/blues/singer-songwriter)

Tuesday, November 17

• Holy Wave + Queen Serene + Red Caroline at Shrine Social Club (psychedelic rock/shoegaze/blues)
• Karina Rykman + Family Mystic at Shrine Social Club (funk/psychedelic/indie pop)
• Pearl Django at The Riverside Hotel (gypsy jazz/hot club)

Wednesday, November 18

• Deep Heaven + Glass Egg + Blanket Ghost at Neurolux (dream pop/post-punk)
• Mega Show: Neptune Moon and Friends at Treefort Music Hall (indie rock/punk/metal)
• Pearl Django at The Riverside Hotel (gypsy jazz/hot club)

Just trust me…

something pretty 🌊💛

Thanks for reading!

With love from Boise,

Marissa