Happy almost December! I’ve got a little bonus newsletter for you this week, packed with all the December happenings you’ll want on your radar.

Maybe you’ve got visitors arriving soon or maybe you’re just trying to map out your holiday fun before things get too hectic. Either way, I pulled together a nice lil list for ya.

Here are some fun things to do in the Boise area this December:

Dec 4: First Thursday in Downtown Boise

​First Thursday is a monthly event where businesses stay open later and most host in-store events like live music, free tastings, sales, etc. December First Thurs is always a great time to do some holiday shopping and support local during the winter. Here’s all the events happening for December First Thurs.

Dec 5: Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting

​Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting has all kinds of festive floats, holiday music, free hot cocoa stands, and visits with Santa. After the parade, the city tree lighting happens in Generations Plaza. It's all free to attend!

Dec 5-6: Holiday Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Rediscovered Books

This event is so cute! The Holiday Stuffed Animal Sleepover is where your kid drops off their favorite stuffed animal to stay the night at Rediscovered Books and celebrate the holidays. They have lots of fun activities planned for the stuffies and will keep you updated throughout the evening on what you stuffie is up to! Drop off is from 4-5:30pm on Friday with treats and crafts for kids and stuffies and then pick up is on Saturday morning at 10:30am with story time and donuts. Tix are $20 and includes goodies for the stuffies to take home, donuts, and story time.

Dec 5–7: Boise Christmas Show

​The Boise Christmas Show is held at Expo Idaho and features 225+ vendors, photos with Santa, and plenty of festive finds. Admission is $5 for adults and kids 12 and under are free.

SPONSORED BY CREATE GALLERY & FRAMES Looking for a new spot to shop local art this season? ​Create Gallery & Frames is Garden City’s newest fine art gallery and custom framing studio, located right in the Work, Play, Create District. They opened this spring and are already showcasing an impressive mix of Idaho artists and beautifully crafted framing work. November 28 through December 13, they’re hosting a special holiday event with themed days, artist talks and interviews, live demos, and tons of unique pieces perfect for gifting – from original art to smaller handmade items. If you want something creative, locally made, and totally one-of-a-kind this year, check out Create Gallery & Frames. Learn more

Dec 5-7 and 12-14: TRICA’s Snow Globe

​TRICA’s Snow Globe is an indoor winter wonderland designed for kids and families. There’s immersive art installations, projection art, crafts, beer, wine, hot cocoa, and holiday music. Tix are $20 for adults and $15 for kids. Also they have specific timed entry at 4pm, 5pm or 6pm.

Dec 6: Kuna Down Home Country Christmas + Kuna Night Light Parade + Tree Lighting

​Kuna Down Home Country Christmas includes a craft fair, from 10am-4pm followed by a festive parade, holiday vendors, tree lighting, and Santa from 6-8pm. Admission is free to all events and fam-friendly!

Dec 6: Star Christmas at the Riverhouse

​Star Christmas at the Riverhouse includes a tree lighting, seasonal activities, s’mores, ponies, and more. Goes 5-7pm and it’s free to attend!

Dec 6: Eagle Country Christmas

​Eagle Country Christmas returns to Heritage Park and State Street with Santa on a sleigh, live reindeer, kids’ crafts, free hot cocoa, 70 holiday market vendors, and live performances at the gazebo. Don’t miss the park lighting at 6pm! Bring coats, hats, gloves, and warm layers to help “Stuff the Truck” for the Eagle Lions Club coat drive. It’s free and family-friendly.

Dec 6: Boise’s Tuba Christmas 2025

​Boise Tuba Christmas is one of Boise’s best holiday traditions. It’s a community gathering of tuba and euphonium musicians that has been happening since 1992! My whole life! Members of this unique ensemble include student musicians from local high schools, middle schools, colleges/universities, and adult musicians from various professions. If you would like to participate, simply show up at 1pm for registration at the Boise State Department of Music and join the rehearsal at 1:30pm. And if you want to watch, you can catch the performance at 4pm in downtown Boise at the Grove Plaza. It’s free and fam-friendly.

Dec 6–7: Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise

​Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise is happening from 8:30-10:45am at the Zoo! Enjoy a buffet breakfast, a visit and photos with Santa Claus, kids craft time, animal experiences, and the rest of the day to explore the Zoo. Tix are $41 for adults ($36 for members) and $26 for kids ($21 for members) age 3-11. Reservations required! Under age 2 are free but everyone needs a res.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KIT 60% Off Kit’s Creator Plan From Boise runs on Kit, an email marketing and newsletter platform that was created right here in Boise. If you’ve been thinking about finally getting your email list going (or actually using the one you already have), Kit is running a Black Friday deal that’s kinda wild. From Nov 20–Dec 2, new and free-plan users get 60% off the Creator Plan for 3 months. It’s built for small businesses, artists, authors, and anyone who wants to grow their business without using ten different tools. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start using email for your business… this is it. Check it out

Dec 7: Eguberriko Azoka – Basque Christmas Market

​Eguberriko Azoka, the Basque Block’s annual holiday market, is happening from 11am–3pm on the Basque Block. There will be 15 vendors selling food, drinks, artwork, apparel & more. There will also be performances from Txantxangorriak at 12:30pm and Boiseko Gasteak’s dance groups at 1pm (indoors if it’s too cold). Olentzero and Mari Domingi (Santa & Mrs Claus) will be there for photos & treats, plus holiday shopping and tasty bites. Free to attend!

Dec 10-31: Boise Trolley Tours Christmas Lights Tour

​Boise Trolley Tours Christmas Lights Tour takes you on a cozy tour through the West Bench neighborhood. Bundle up with your favorite warm beverage, listen to holiday music, and enjoy the holiday cheer aboard the Jolly Trolley.

Dec 12-20: LED’s The Rat King

​LED’s The Rat King reimagines The Nutcracker through a bold, burlesque-inspired lens – part Sugar Plum, part mischief. This genre-defying holiday production follows the lesser-known story of the Rat King with aerial artistry, tap, opera, comedy, and more. Familiar, thrillingly new, and amazing (because it’s LED!)

Dec 13-23: Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracker

​Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracker returns to the Morrison Center. It’s a beautiful production set to the Boise Philharmonic’s live performance of Tchaikovsky’s score. Follow Clara from the festive Stahlbaum party to the battle with the Mouse King, the snowy forest, and the Land of the Sweets in this timeless holiday classic. Performances run Dec 14–15 and Dec 19–21. Audio-described shows are offered on Dec 14 at 12pm and Dec 20 at 7pm. It’s a holiday tradition!

Through Dec 27: Old Boise Model Railroad Open House

​Old Boise Model Railroad Open House might be my favorite holiday event. You can read my story about the Old Boise Model Railroad Club. Watch model trains running through different scenery - all of which is handmade. New this year, there’s a handmade replica of the Boise Depot! It’s located in the basement of the Historic Pioneer building on 6th and Main (below Jimmy John’s). Admission is free!

Through Dec 31: Christmas at The Village at Meridian

​Christmas at The Village at Meridian is in full swing and there’s a lot going on! Photos with Santa for pets and people, ice skating (sometimes with a DJ), reindeer with Corbin Maxey, and more. Check the events calendar for specifics.

Through Dec 31: Winter Garden aGlow

​Winter Garden aGlow starts Friday, Nov 28 at the Idaho Botanical Garden. Stroll through 850,000+ twinkling lights, themed displays, and cozy corners that turn the Garden into a glowing winter wonderland. New additions this year include the Yuletide Bar, Silent Disco, Lighted Hula Hoops, and the Jerome the Gnome Scavenger Hunt. Returning favorites like the Candy Cane Forest, Gumdrop Grove, Gingerbread House Exhibit, Santa’s North Pole Gathering Place, and the model trains are all there, too. Every ticket supports the Garden’s education, conservation, and community programs!

Through Dec 31: Scentsy Commons Lights

​Scentsy Commons Lights has hundreds of thousands of colorful lights, Scentsy’s signature light tunnel, and a 75-foot glowing ribbon tree. It’s free and will be up through Jan 16.

Through Dec 31: Winter Wonderland in Downtown Caldwell

​Winter Wonderland in Downtown Caldwell is like a real-life Hallmark movie. There’s over a million lights illuminating Indian Creek and the plaza! Plus ice skating, Santa, drinks and food, local shopping, and more.

Dec 31: Idaho Potato Drop

The Idaho Potato Drop might be the quirkiest New Year’s Eve party around. A giant glowing potato drops downtown at midnight with fireworks, live music, and an urban ski/snowboard show.

Dec 31: Kuna Gem Drop

​Kuna Gem Drop is happening at Bernie Fisher Park from 8pm–1am. To ring in the new year, Kuna is dropping a giant sparkling gem at midnight. There will be food, festivities, and free New Year’s Eve noisemakers for the kids (while supplies last). The countdown ends with a pyrotechnic and firework display. It’s free!

December Holiday Markets

If you are looking to do some shopping, here's a few markets happening in December to plan for:

Dec 5-7: Vintage Market Days at Idaho Center

Dec 6: Sockeye Brewing Holiday Market​

Dec 6: Boise Tattoo Bazaar at Boise Tattoo

Dec 6: Boise Bench Holiday Market at Brood Coffee

Dec 6: Winter Market at Wild Outdoor Market​

Dec 6: Hip Holiday Craft Market at Flying M Nampa

Dec 7: Boise Business Babes Winter Market at Riverside Hotel

Dec 7: Sagebrush Collaborative Holiday Market at the Linen Building

Dec 18: Vintage Vibes Holiday Market at Treefort Music Hall

Dec 20: Holiday BarZaar at The Mode Lounge

Dec 21: Procrastinator’s Market at Split Rail Winery Winery

Ok that's all I got for ya! What is your favorite December event? What did I miss? Reply and let me know!

Thanks for reading! Have a fun December!

With love from Boise,

Marissa

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