Here’s some cool events for a cool weekend:
From Boise Things
- Next Happy Hour Club: Next Wednesday, May 20. Last day to sign up is Monday, May 18. Book your seat here!
- Next Dinner Club: Thursday, May 28 in Eagle. Book your seat here!
- See below for baseball tix 👀
Summer shows coming soon
Most of the summer live music series have been announced and are kicking off in June. I’ll have the details in the Plan Ahead for June newsletter as well!
- June 3–August 26: Jump, Jam & Jive at JUMP
- June 4–25: Great Garden Escape (the last one!)
- June 5–September 5: Big Al’s Live on the Patio
- June 5–August 14: Kleiner Park Live
- June 12–September 10: Outlaw Field Concerts
- June 17–29: Alive After Five on the Grove Plaza
- June 24–August 26: Neighborhood Concert Series
- July 11–September 5: Music on the Mountain at Bogus Basin
Boise Hawks Home Opener
Tuesday, May 19
- The Boise Hawks open their home season against the Ogden Raptors on Tuesday, May 19 at Memorial Stadium with first pitch at 7:05pm. Single-game tickets start at $10. A classic Boise summer night.
Thursday, June 25: From Boise Night at Boise Hawks
- I want to take you out to the ballgame! Join us for From Boise Night at the Boise Hawks game. From Boise readers get discounted tickets to the game on June 25. Gates open at 6:15pm and game starts at 7:05pm. Get your tickets here.
Things to do
Thursday, May 14
- Boise Women’s Art Group is happening at Art Source Gallery from 6:30-8:30pm. It’s a monthly, in-person gathering created for women who want a welcoming, supportive space to explore creativity, connection, and self-expression through art. Tix are $38.
- Bring it On is happening at The Flicks from 7pm. It’s a one-night-only screening celebrating 26 years of cheer and spirit fingers, hosted by some of the original cast members. Tix are $10.
Friday, May 15
- Bike to Work Day is happening in Downtown Boise from 7am–7pm. There will be morning stations with free coffee and snacks (7–9am), local business perks throughout the day, and afternoon celebrations starting at 4pm. You can find all the different stations, afternoon parties, and local business discounts here.
- Join the Watercolor Botanical Postcard Workshop at Lenses & Brushes from 6–8pm. It’s a beginner-friendly class where you’ll create two watercolor postcards using botanical inspiration like wildflowers and leaves, with all materials included. Tix are $30.
- Not Your Granny’s Square Dance is happening at the IOA Hall from 7–10pm. It’s an all-ages square dance with live old time string band Cattywampus and friends, led by callers Ava Honey, Karla, Andy, and David — no experience, partner, or special attire needed. Tix are $15, kids under 13 are free.
- IFS Presents: Bruce Campbell Sneak Preview at the Egyptian Theatre at 7:30pm. It’s a sneak preview of Bruce Campbell’s new indie film Ernie & Emma, followed by a live Q&A with Campbell about his career and independent filmmaking. Tix are $20.
Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17
- Gem State Comic Con is taking over Expo Idaho this weekend with vendors, panels, cosplay, exhibits, and celebrity appearances. Friday hours are 3–9pm, Saturday 10am–6pm, and Sunday 10am–5pm. Weekend passes are $35 online/$50 at the door or there’s daily tickets. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult.
Saturday, May 16
- Idaho’s Largest Garage Sale is happening at Expo Idaho starting at 8am. It’s the 18th annual bazaar-style garage sale with hundreds of vendors selling gently used goods, plus a meet and greet with special guest Dog the Bounty Hunter. Tix are $5, kids 8 and under are free.
- Chinden Gardeners Club Annual Plant Sale is happening in Garden City at 6015 Glenwood from 9am–1pm. Shop veggies, indoor plants, succulents, and flowering and pollinator-friendly perennials. Free admission!
- Boise Backyard Gardens Summer Plant Sale is happening at 3561 N Kingswood Dr starting at 9am. It’s a massive backyard plant sale with 40+ tomato varieties, 20+ peppers, herbs, squash, cucumbers, melons, and more. Look for the “plant sale” signs.
- Summer Reading & Learning Celebration is happening at JUMP from 10am–2pm. It’s a free family event hosted by Boise Public Library and Ada Community Library, with 20+ exhibits, music, food, mascot photos, and a chance to sign kids up for summer reading programs. It’s free!
- Bonsai 101 Workshop with High Desert Bonsai is happening at Franz Witte in Nampa from 10am–12pm. It’s a beginner workshop led by Bonsai Jon where you’ll trim and wire a 1-gallon juniper into a bonsai to take home. Tix are $70 (includes the plant).
- Discovery Park in Meridian is hosting the Explore Outdoors Bicycle Bonanza from 10am–2pm. There’s a BMX stunt show at 11:30am, an open BMX skills session at 12:30pm, free skills training, and free refurbished bikes while supplies last. All ages and abilities welcome. It’s free!
- Northwest Submission Challenge 8 is happening at the Egyptian Theatre at 6pm. It’s the only submission grappling superfight series in Idaho, featuring top grapplers from across the Pacific Northwest going head to head. Tix are $35–$45.
Saturday, May 16 – Sunday, May 17
- Wilderness First Aid Class is happening at Bogus Basin from 9am-5pm both days. It’s a hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine taught over two days, covering the Patient Assessment System, common outdoor injuries and illnesses, and smart evacuation decisions. Tix are $330. Ages 16+.
- Gunfighter Skies ‘26 Airshow is happening at Mountain Home Air Force Base from 9am–4pm both days. It’s a free airshow featuring the USAF Thunderbirds along with WWII, A-10, and F-15E aircraft, plus a STEM Expo with 25 presenters and activities for all ages. It’s free!
Sunday, May 17
- International Museum Day is happening at the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights with all your favorite local museums and organizations! There will be activities and games hosted by World Center for Birds of Prey, Idaho Fish and Game MK Nature Center, Boise Art Museum, Discovery Center of Idaho, Idaho State Museum, The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, Erma Hayman House, The WaterShed, James Castle House, Idaho Botanical Garden, Idaho Museum of Mining & Geology, Old Idaho Penitentiary, Zoo Boise, and the Basque Museum & Cultural Center. It’s all free and fam-friendly.
- Idaho Brocante Antique Home and Garden Fair is happening at 3011 W. State Street from 10am–3pm. It’s an outdoor flea market-style fair featuring local vendors selling antique, vintage, home, and garden finds. It’s free!
- Boise Punk Flea is happening at Realms Arcade from 12-5pm. It’s free and all ages!
- Gold Panning for All Ages is happening at the Idaho Museum of Mining & Geology from 12–3pm. Try hands-on gold panning led by the Nampa Gold Prospectors Association, with 30-minute outdoor sessions plus an optional guided geology hike on the nearby Table Rock hillside. Tix are $5 for kids, $10 for adults.
- The Wellness Edit is happening at The LITL Studio from 2–4:30pm. It’s a wellness pop-up hosted by The Beauty Boost Boise featuring flow yoga, breathwork, a sound bath, mini wellness chats, and a wellness playground with stations for things like hypnosis, assisted stretching, and skincare consultations. Tix are $25.
- Sunday Night Burlesque is happening at Pengilly’s Saloon at 8pm. It’s a free burlesque show hosted by Muff Jones, featuring performances by Calypso Pearl, Mo Trouble, Judy Bloomers, Rosalía Roja, Kitty Rocks, and Aiden Antares. It’s free but bring tips! 21+
Tuesday, May 19
- Spring Death Cafe is happening at Edwards Greenhouse from 6–7:30pm. It’s a free, facilitated open conversation about death. No registration required. It’s free!
- IdaHistory Tuesday: The Unique, Historic, & Iconic Homes of Boise is happening at Boise Brewing from 6:30–8pm. It’s a presentation and Q&A with Mark Iverson exploring some of Boise’s most fascinating historic homes, in honor of National Historic Preservation Month. It’s free!
Wednesday, May 14
- The Stars and Stripes: Trivia Night is happening at the Dick Eardley Senior Center from 5–7pm. It’s a history trivia night commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, with teams testing their knowledge of Idaho history and the American Revolution over heavy hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. It’s free!
Food finds & things to drink
Saturday, May 16
- Boise Farmers Market is at 1500 shoreline Drive from 9am-1pm.
- Shop with a Chef: Brunch Basics is happening at the Boise Farmers Market from 10am–12pm. Chef Adan Callsen of Under the Table Boise leads a guided market shopping tour and cooking demo centered around a brunch recipe celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month, with a recipe card and tote included. Tix are $18.
- Capital City Public Market is on the Grove Plaza from 9:30am-1pm.
- Meridian Main Street Market is at Meridian City Hall from 9am–1:30pm.
- Nampa Farmers Market is at Lloyd Square Park from 9am-1:30pm.
- Eagle Saturday Market is at Heritage Park in Downtown Eagle from 9am-1pm.
Tuesday, May 19
- Farm to Fork Farmers Market at Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell is opening for the season. There’s over 30 local vendors each week plus free live music. Goes 5-8pm.
Wednesday, May 20
- Wine Down w/ Mike is happening at House of Wine from 5–8pm. It’s a free, informal wine tasting where guide Michael walks you through three wines he’s currently loving, so you can learn and sip at your own pace. It’s free!
Comedy & storytelling
Thursday, May 14
- Rare Form Comedy Show is happening at The Creative Space in Garden City at 7:30pm. It’s a stand-up comedy show built around true personal stories — oddly specific, wildly unexpected, and completely unscripted. Tix are $10.
- Liquid Laughs Underground Comedy Open Mic is happening at the Liquid Laughs at 9:30pm. It’s a free weekly open mic hosted by Rasheed Jello. Sign up at 9pm if you want to take the mic. It’s free!
Friday, May 15
- The Cheap Laughs Comedy Show is happening at Liquid Laughs at 8pm. It’s a local comedy showcase featuring Bridget Foley, Holden Weihs, Saul Berman, and Duane Stitt. Tix are $10.
Saturday, May 16
- Mom Jokes: Like Dad Jokes But Better is happening at Liquid Laughs at 7pm and 9pm. Tix are $20.
Tunes & shows
Thursday, May 14
- Ritt Momney + Mercury at Shrine Social Club Basement (indie bedroom pop)
- Asia XP + DJ Seoul Train at Hap Hap Lounge
- Sports + Ally Evenson at Shrine Social Club Ballroom (dream pop electro-pop)
- Arm’s Length + The Callous Daoboys + Harrison Gordon + Super Sometimes at The Shredder (emo pop-punk)
- The Spine Stealers + Bloodroots + Lonely Boys at The Olympic Venue (eerie folk)
- Machine Country + Bleach + Trauma Kit + Necrotizing + Dreams of Blights at Realms Arcade (experimental power punk)
- Blueface + OT Genasis + Compton AV at Revolution Concert House (hip hop)
- Knickerbocker Band at Boise Brewing (acoustic)
- Ashley Rose Trio at Green Acres Food Truck Park (jazz/soul)
Friday, May 15
- Alex G + Agriculture at Treefort Music Hall (indie lo-fi rock)
- Wild Nothing + Lunar Vacation at Neurolux (indie dream pop)
- Los Toms + RUGBURN + Rhodes Hull + Surf Green Machine at The Olympic Venue (psychedelic/fuzz rock)
- Mormon Mincers + Hummingbird of Death + Necrotizing at Realms Arcade (thrash metal)
- Super Rad Cape Co + Poverty Flats at Green Acres Food Truck Park
Saturday, May 16
- Dry Cleaning + Hotline TNT at Shrine Social Club Basement (post-punk spoken word)
- Grateful at Treefort Music Hall (Grateful Dead tribute)
- Tripping Daisy + Jumprope at Neurolux (neo-psychedelic/alternative rock)
- Telehealth + Deep Heaven at Shrine Social Club Basement (post-punk/new wave)
- Show Me the Body + Provoker + Dry Socket + CottonMouth at The Shredder (post-hardcore/noise punk)
- Hillfolk Noir + Mike Coykendall + J. Carmichael at Shrine Social Club Basement (Americana/folk/blues)
- Don Hurt Band + The Bad Quitters at The Olympic Venue (alt-country/indie folk)
- Oxygen Destroyer + Drawn and Quartered + Buried Faith + Torrent + Skin Cushion at Realms Arcade (death thrash metal)
- Bronson Sandvik + The Front Line Trio + The Turtle Poppers at Green Acres Food Truck Park
Sunday, May 17
- Tears of Bliss + Chief Broom + JDHIX at Shrine Social Club Basement (goth rock)
- Bungalow Collect at The Olympic (disco rap)
- High Desert Grooves + The Debbie Michels Gang + Martinez, Duncan & Foster at Green Acres Food Truck Park
Monday, May 18
- Dead Calm + Draiden Cardenas + Live It Up! at Shrine Social Club Ballroom (indie rock/slowcore)
- Robert Lester Folsom + Kassi Valazza at Shrine Social Club Basement (folk rock)
- American Football + Mei Semones at Treefort Music Hall (midwest emo/math rock)
Tuesday, May 19
- Olivia Harms at Indian Creek Plaza (country)
- Vocalocity at The Egyptian Theatre (acappella)
- Josiah and the Bonnevilles + Max Alan + Brenna MacMillan at Knitting Factory Boise (indie folk/americana)
- Tater Patch at Barbarian Downtown Beer Bar (bluegrass)
- Grandaddy + The Cle Elum at Treefort Music Hall (indie rock/slacker pop)
- Lowertown + Micah Preite at Shrine Social Club Basement (indie/lo-fi/folk)
Wednesday, May 20
- Caitlynne Curtis at Treefort Music Hall (country/soul/pop)
- The Scratch + DUG at Shrine Social Club Basement (Irish/heavy metal)
Just trust me…
Thanks for reading!
With love from Boise,
Marissa