Looking for things to do in Boise in November? Whether family is in town for Thanksgiving or friends are visiting for a football weekend, this is one of the easiest months to play host. Between holiday markets, Broncos games, twinkling lights and a few classic local walks, here are ten ideas that work for nearly every kind of guest.
1. Wander through Winter Garden aGlow
The Idaho Botanical Garden opens Winter Garden aGlow on Friday, November 27 and runs it Wednesdays through Sundays until New Year’s Eve. Every light is hand-strung by volunteers and staff, and there are new displays this year for the Garden’s 10-acre expansion. Grab a cocoa and make it a Thanksgiving night walk. Visitors who love gardens any time of year will want to see the grounds, too.
2. Stroll through Hyde Park
Skip the car and walk 13th Street in Boise’s historic North End. Tree-lined blocks, cozy cafes, a toy store, bakeries and a bar or two make it an easy morning or afternoon wander. Start with coffee, browse the shops, and let your guests set the pace.
3. Catch a Boise State home game
There are two chances to see the Broncos on the blue this month. Boise State vs. Oregon State is Saturday, November 14 at 4pm, and Boise State vs. San Diego State is Saturday, November 21 at 7:30pm, the last scheduled home game of the regular season. Both are at Albertsons Stadium. It’s the Broncos’ first season in the new Pac-12. Tix start around $40.
4. Shop local at Wintry Market
Wintry Market is happening Friday, November 20 from 4-9pm and Saturday, November 21 from 9am-5pm at Boise Centre West. Now in its 15th year, it packs more than 100 regional artists and makers into the building, so it feels as much like an art show as holiday shopping. Tix are $10 on Friday (good for both days) or $5 on Saturday, and kids 12 and under get in free. Want more options? Holiday Makers Market in Nampa (November 6-7) and the Eagle Holiday Bazaar (November 7-8) are both free.
5. Get festive at Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees
Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees is happening Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29 at the Boise Centre. For its 42nd year, hundreds of community-decorated trees and wreaths fill the room, with Santa at the North Pole Village, a big LEGO display, kids’ activities and a gift shop. Doors open at 10am most days, with Thanksgiving Day running 2-8pm. Tix are $16 for adults and $11 for kids 3 to 12, seniors and military. Kids 2 and under are free.
6. Bundle up for the Boise Holiday Parade
The Boise Holiday Parade is happening Saturday, November 28 at 10am in downtown Boise. It’s the 78th year, with holiday floats, rad cars, school groups and local businesses rolling through downtown. Bring a camp chair and a thermos and get ready to wave. It’s free! Have visitors the weekend before? The Idaho Veterans Parade is Saturday, November 14 from 10am-12pm, also free.
7. Walk the Boise River Greenbelt
A crisp November day is perfect for a stroll along the Boise River. Pick any stretch of the Greenbelt, whether that’s near downtown, Julia Davis Park or Boise State, and walk as far as your guests feel like. Bring a thermos, watch for fall color, and end at a coffee shop or brewery nearby.
8. Go to an Idaho Steelheads game
Idaho Steelheads vs. Maine Mariners is happening Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. Puck drops at 7:10pm each night. Fast, loud and a great pick for guests who want a true local night out. Tix start around $34.
9. See Elf in Concert
Elf in Concert is happening Saturday, November 28 at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 29 at 2pm at the Morrison Center in Boise. The movie plays on the big screen while Boise Phil performs the score live in sync with Buddy the Elf’s very enthusiastic trip to New York. It’s a near-perfect bridge between movie night and a real concert for families coming out of Thanksgiving weekend. Tix are $37 to $111, and student and youth seats are $19.
10. Explore downtown Boise
Save an afternoon for the classics. Walk up to the Idaho State Capitol, wander the Basque Block for a bite, and duck into Freak Alley Gallery to see the murals. It’s an easy, mostly walkable loop that shows first-time visitors what makes Boise feel like Boise.
