This weekend truly has something for everyone! Boise Pride, Hyde Park Street Fair, BSU football, Bug Day and lots more.

From Boise Things

• CreativeMornings Boise is happening tomorrow (September 18) at JUMP from 8:30–10am. It’s the relaunch of Boise’s free monthly breakfast lecture series after a six-year hiatus, kicking off with a talk from yours truly, Marissa Lovell, founder of From Boise. Eeep! It’s free!
• October Dinner Club is on Wednesday, October 14. We are going to expand the radius of restaurants so that y’all get to try new places AND make new friends. Get your tix here!

Boise Pride Festival

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20

Boise Pride is taking over Ann Morrison Park with three days of entertainment, community, and celebration. Friday night brings Chrissy Chlapecka and Trixie Mattel to the stage (ticketed). Saturday headliner Pattie Gonia closes out the main stage at 8pm, followed by fireworks at 9pm and a 21+ ATTENTION Party at Treefort Music Hall. Sunday is all free, opening with the Pride Parade at 10am followed by performances all day including Juno Birch, with an official afterparty at Bluebird Social at 5pm.

Park entry is free all three days. Friday night tix are $26.20; Saturday has a $10 cover after 6pm; Sunday is free all day.

🔗 Get the full schedule here

Things to do

Thursday, September 17

• Currents of Courage Film Premiere is happening at The Egyptian Theatre from 7pm. It’s a documentary following seven Idaho men, cancer patients and survivors, as they take on a fly-fishing retreat through Idaho’s wild rivers. Tix are $15.
• Adaptive Evening at the Zoo presented by Accel Therapies is happening at Zoo Boise from 6–8pm. It’s an afterhours zoo experience designed for individuals with disabilities and their families, with sensory friendly stations, animal artifact exploration, up close encounters, and art activities. Tix are $10, aides admitted free. Registration required.
• Third Thursday Street Festival is happening in Downtown Nampa from 6–9pm. It’s a community street festival celebrating Nampa’s birthday, with the theme carrying through games, vendors, and family activities. It’s free!

Friday, September 18

• Invincible Czars: Silent Films Live Soundtracks is happening at The Egyptian Theatre from 7:30pm. It’s a double feature of live scored silent films, Faust and Nosferatu, performed by the Austin based band. Tix start at $20.
• Roars and Pours is happening at Zoo Boise from 6–9pm. It’s an adults only evening at the zoo with live music, keeper chats, animal encounters, free carousel rides, and beer, wine, and cider for purchase. Tix are $30 advance, $35 day of. 21+.
• Not Your Granny’s Square Dance! is happening at IOA Hall from 7–10pm. It’s an old time square dance hosted by Boise OldTime with live music from Cattywompus and Kin, all dances taught, no partner or experience needed.

Friday, September 18 — Saturday, September 19

• 23rd Annual Indian Creek Festival is happening in Downtown Caldwell from 6pm Friday through 5pm Saturday. It’s a two day community celebration with live music, a car show, the Fireman’s Breakfast, a vendor market, tug of war, and the crowd favorite Cardboard Kayak Race. It’s free!

Friday, September 18 — Sunday, September 20

• Hyde Park Street Fair is happening at Camel’s Back Park in Boise’s North End from 4–9:30pm Friday, 10am–9:30pm Saturday, and 10am–6pm Sunday. It’s a funky neighborhood tradition since 1979 with nearly 200 vendor booths, food, art, clothing, jewelry, crafts, and live entertainment on two stages. It’s free!

Saturday, September 19

• Boise State Football vs. South Dakota is happening at Albertsons Stadium from 8pm. It’s a home Broncos football matchup against South Dakota, with “Wear White” as the game theme.
• Walk4ASL 2026 is happening at 700 S Capitol Blvd from 9am. It’s a community walk raising awareness for American Sign Language, part of a multi-city “Walk for the Cause” celebration.
• 4th Annual Food Truck Fiesta & Pumpkin Patch is happening at Jordan’s Garden Center from 2–6pm. It’s a kickoff to 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.

Saturday, September 19 — Sunday, September 20

• Bug Day is happening at Idaho Botanical Garden from 12–5pm Saturday. It’s a bug themed festival with hands on booths, interactive exhibits, and STEAM activities for curious minds. Tix are $17 adults, $13 youth, kids 3 and under free.
• Flywheel Fest is happening at JUMP Park from 4–8pm Saturday. It’s an annual family farm festival with antique tractor demos, pinewood derby tractor races, carnival games, live music, and food trucks. It’s free!
• Bogus Basin: Granite, Gold & Wildflowers is happening at Frontier Point/Nordic Lodge on Bogus Basin Road from 10am–3pm Saturday. It’s a geology field trip exploring how granite veins reveal where gold is hiding in the area, led by Barb Beatty of the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology. Tix are $20 for nonmembers, free for members and kids. Pre-registration required.
• Paranormal Investigation is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary from 9:15pm–2am Saturday. It’s a late night ghost hunt with Big River Paranormal, using their gear to try to connect with the prison’s past residents and guards. Tix are $45, limited to 50 participants. 18+.
• Boise Sports Cards and Collectibles Show is happening at Expo Idaho’s Center Expo from 9am Saturday through 4pm Sunday. It’s a 230-table show of sports cards, Pokémon, TCG, and memorabilia. General admission is free (Sat 10:30am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm); early admission Saturday 9–10:30am requires a ticket for ages 14+.
• Boise Scottish Heritage Festival is happening at Expo Idaho. It’s a weekend of Scottish culture with live music, Highland dancing, food, and vendors, Saturday features the athletic competitions and Sunday lets the public try the sports themselves, plus dozens of clan and vendor booths. Tix are $12 adult single day, $20 adult festival pass, $8 youth single day, $12 youth festival pass.
• Spudtown Knockdown is happening at the South Expo Building from 8:25am both days. It’s a two day roller derby tournament with 8 teams and 10 games, a come and go as you please event, family friendly. Tix are $15.

Sunday, September 20

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is happening at The Egyptian Theatre from 1pm. It’s a screening of the 1986 classic about a Chicago teen who skips school for one unforgettable day. Tix are $5.
• Pretty in Pink is happening at The Egyptian Theatre from 3:45pm. It’s a screening of the 1986 teen romance about an outcast who falls for a boy from the wrong side of the social divide. Tix are $5.
• Dig into Geodes! is happening at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology from 12–3pm. It’s a hands on geode cracking event with an optional 40-minute geology hike overlooking the Old Pen. Tix are $10 adults, $5 kids, free for museum members. Pre-registration required.

Sunday, September 20 — Monday, September 21

• Art by the River is happening at The River House in Star from 10am–6pm Sunday and 10am–4pm Monday. It’s a two day fine art and crafts festival celebrating five years of showcasing Idaho artists, curators, and designers, with over 100 artists and crafters, food trucks, and live music, presented by River of Hope Community Foundation to benefit art programs for intellectually disabled and senior communities. It’s free!

Monday, September 21 — Wednesday, September 23

• Moppet Togs Fall Consignment Sale is happening at Expo Idaho. It’s Idaho’s largest children’s consignment sale, with gently used kids’ clothes, shoes, toys, books, baby gear, and maternity items at deep discounts, wrapping with a half price day Saturday and 75% off day Sunday. Shopping time slot tickets are required for most hours; Friday is ticket free all day. Tix range from $5–$14.

Tuesday, September 22

• Trivia Tuesdays is happening at Hap Hap Lounge from 6–8pm. It’s a weekly trivia night at the lounge. It’s free! 21+.

Wednesday, September 23

• Filmmaker Spotlight: Who I Thought I’d Be with Jens Kuross is happening at Idaho Film Society from 7pm. It’s a premiere screening of a new short film about a struggling musician forced to return home and work at his sister’s music school, followed by a Q&A and live performance. Tix are $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door.
• Trivia with Geeks Who Drink is happening at Boise Brewing from 7–9pm. It’s the weekly trivia night hosted by Geeks Who Drink, with free beer up for grabs every round. It’s free!
• After Hours: Music Talk + Live Music Showcase presented by Treefort For Good is happening at Hap Hap Lounge from 6–10pm. It’s a music community meetup with a tax talk for creatives from Duck Club’s CFO Peter Ritter, followed by a live music showcase from Connor Jay Liess and Landon Vance. It’s free! 21+.

Food finds & things to drink

Thursday, September 17

• Wine, Eats, & Artifacts is happening at the Old Idaho Penitentiary from 5:30–8:30pm. It’s a gala evening of food, wine, and auctions launching A City Behind Walls, with an exclusive first look at the newly renovated survey gallery, benefiting the historic site’s next phase.
• Salsa Fest is happening at North End Organic Nursery in Garden City from 5–8pm. It’s the 12th annual salsa festival with tastings from local producers and restaurants, an amateur salsa competition, food, drinks, live music, and a bounce house, benefiting City of Good. Tix are a $5 entry donation, kids’ donation optional.

Friday, September 18 — Saturday, September 19

• Das Alpenhaus Deli’s Oktoberfest is happening at 1340 S Vista Avenue from 3–10pm both days. It’s a traditional Oktoberfest with live Volksmusik, pretzels, schweinehaxe, brats, and German potato salad, plus German and Austrian beers and wine. Kid and dog friendly, though it can get loud and crowded. No outside beverages allowed.
• Payette’s Annual Oktoberfest Celebration is happening at Payette Provisions from 5–10pm Friday and 2–10pm Saturday. It’s two days of bier, brats, and Bavarian fun with live music, activities, and games; drinks require tokens and a branded stein or boot, both available for pre-purchase online. It’s free to attend! Tokens are $8 each.

Saturday, September 19

• Boise Farmers Market is at 1500 Shoreline Drive from 9am-1pm.
• 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.

Monday, September 21

• Discover Idaho Wine is happening from 10am–3:30pm, starting at Skyline Vineyard. It’s a guided wine tour for newcomers to the Treasure Valley, moving through tastings and tours at Telaya Wine Co., Fujishin Family Cellars, Sawtooth Winery, and several others, with lunch included. Tix are $65.

Wednesday, September 23

• An Evening with J. Bookwalter Winery is happening at House of Wine from 6:30–7:30pm. It’s an intimate tasting of five wines paired with cheese and charcuterie, hosted by winery partner Edward Holmes, sharing the story of one of Washington’s classic producers. Tix are $45, limited to 12 seats.

Comedy & storytelling

Thursday, September 17

• Open Books, Open Minds Fundraiser with Danny Caine is happening at Ochos Cocktail & Wine Bar from 5–7pm. It’s The Cabin’s annual fundraiser celebrating the freedom to read, featuring a meet-and-greet, presentation, and Q&A with author Danny Caine, whose book How to Defend Books and Why is part of this year’s Read Freely Project. Tix are $100, includes a copy of the book, a drink token, and hors d’oeuvres.

Thursday, September 17 — Saturday, September 19

• Mary Poppins is happening at Owyhee High School, with performances Thursday and Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 1:30pm and 7pm. It’s a family-friendly community theater production of the classic musical, featuring “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Feed the Birds,” and “Step In Time.” Tix start at $25.

Thursday, September 17 — Sunday, September 27

• Christieprov: Mischief, Mayhem & Murder is happening at Boise Little Theater’s Black Box, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 6pm. It’s an all new one night only style improv comedy from The Noble Nitwits, spoofing Agatha Christie mysteries with mischief, mayhem, and audience-fueled whodunits. Tix are $20.

Thursday, September 17 — Wednesday, September 23

• The Heart of Robin Hood is happening at Idaho Shakespeare Festival at 7:30pm on the 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, and 23rd, and 7pm on the 20th, which is Family Night, no show on the 21st. It’s a gallant reimagining of the Robin Hood legend by David Farr, following Robin and the courageous Marion as they navigate rebellion, romance, and the fight for a better future in Sherwood Forest. Tix start at $29.68. Recommended for ages 10+.

Saturday, September 19

• Bust-A-Gut is happening at Liquid Laughs Comedy Club & Lounge from 7–9:30pm. It’s a bespoke horror comedy mashup with short horror films and standup from a lineup of local comedians. Tix are $24.57.
• Off Script! Improv Comedy is happening at The Creative Space in Garden City from 8pm. It’s an unscripted improv show built entirely from audience suggestions, with new scenes and characters made up on the spot every night. Tix are $5.99–$15.99.

Saturday, September 19 — Sunday, September 20

• Chaz Rodgers is happening at The Comedy Lounge from 7pm both nights. It’s a standup set from LA based comedian Chaz Rodgers, drawing on his multicultural marriage, offbeat family life, and fatherhood stories. Tix are $26.50. 2 drink minimum.

Sunday, September 20

• Tavin Dillard is happening at The Comedy Lounge from 3pm. It’s a standup set from small town storyteller Tavin Dillard, known for his trailer park charm and relatable takes on everyday life. Tix are $30.21. 2 drink minimum.

Monday, September 21

• Slammer of the Year: All the World Is a Stage is happening at Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater from 7–9pm. It’s Story Story Night’s annual celebration of the season’s spontaneous storytellers, hosted by Jodi Eichelberger with music by Archer Flynn and performances by the 2026 Idaho Shakespeare Apprentices. Tix are $13–$30, general admission $25. PG-13.

Tunes & shows

Eagle Jazz & Blues Fest

Friday, September 18 – Saturday, September 19

Now in its fifth year, this two-day celebration spreads nationally touring and local jazz and blues musicians across multiple venues in downtown Eagle. Plan your own route, pick your shows, and make a night of it. Tix are a la carte per venue and some events are free.

🔗 Get details and plan your route here

Thursday, September 17

• Calvin Pineda + The Antacids at Shrine Social Club (antifolk)
• Pattie Gonia: SAVE HER! Feat. Sequoia and VERA! at Treefort Music Hall (drag show)
• Fortunate Youth at Shrine Social Club (reggae rock)
• The Frights at Neurolux (garage punk/surf punk)
• Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy + The Goatheads at The Shredder (speedfolk/thrashgrass)

Friday, September 18

• Sub Urban at Shrine Social Club (dark pop/alt pop)
• Cola at Neurolux (post-punk)
• Sleep at Treefort Music Hall (stoner metal/doom metal)
• Lucas Plummer + kg.lin + NOFO + bugcore at Hap Hap Lounge
• ANGRYBABY at Shrine Social Club (house/stutter house)
• Bop To The Top at Knitting Factory (DJ/dance party)
• Rae Gordon + Nikki Jones + Sonny Hess at The Sapphire Room, Riverside Hotel (blues/R&B)
• RUDY at Bluebird Social (hip hop)

Saturday, September 19

• The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at Morrison Center for the Performing Arts (classical/rock/metal)
• Dent May at Neurolux (indie pop)
• Attention at Treefort Music Hall
• Grrl Rave at Shrine Social Club (house/DJ)
• GG Spot + kg.lin at Hap Hap Lounge
• Dogstar + The Backfires at Knitting Factory (alt-rock/post-grunge)
• Foster the People + Goth Babe at Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater (indie pop)

Sunday, September 20

• Ryan Gage + Chad Spears + Jessica Joy Harned at Idaho State Museum (classical/spirituals)
• Goth Night at Shrine Social Club (gothic rock/industrial/darkwave)
• Drink The Sea at Treefort Music Hall (alt rock)
• Shayne Smith at Shrine Social Club (comedy)
• Alex Snydman Jazz Trio at Hap Hap Lounge (jazz)

Monday, September 21

• Thievery Corporation at Treefort Music Hall (downtempo/trip hop)
• Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards + Karma and the Killjoys + Friend of a Friend at The Olympic Venue (alt-rock/jazz-punk)
• Luke Bower + Andy Crosby at Knitting Factory (Americana/alt-country)
• Girl Pit + SGC + Mutilated Circuitry at Chaz’s Corner

Tuesday, September 22

• Cannons at Treefort Music Hall (indie pop/synthwave)
• The Schizophonics at Shrine Social Club (garage punk/soul)
• American Aquarium at Knitting Factory (alt-country)
• Stephen Wilson Jr. at Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater (alt-country/indie rock)

Wednesday, September 23

• Goodbye June at Shrine Social Club (southern rock/blues rock)
• The Growlers at Shrine Social Club (beach goth/surf rock)

Just trust me…

on repeat 🥁

Thanks for reading!

With love from Boise,

Marissa