Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you are all spending the day doing something that makes you happy. Thank you so much for reading my newsletter, listening to my podcast, and supporting my work. I'm so grateful ♥️

Things to do with the fam

Wondering what to do with your fam? Or maybe looking for ways to escape the fam? Here's a few ideas:

Wahooz has $0.99 bowling today (Thanksgiving) until 8pm.
Go play arcade games at Spacebar (21+) or Realms (all ages)
Go ice skating: Downtown Boise's new ice rink opens on Friday. Village at Meridian and Indian Creek Plaza rinks are open!
Go see holiday lights: Scentsy Commons, Caldwell's Winter Wonderland, & Winter Garden aGlow are all up & open. Also here's a residential Boise Christmas Lights Map.
Go for a hike! Ridge to Rivers interactive map will help you choose where to go. I love the new Hawkins Range Reserve loop.
Go watch sports: BSU Football vs Air Force on Friday, Nov 24. Liga is showing the Apple Cup on Friday, Nov 24.
Go see a movie: Check out The Flicks or the Egyptian Theatre.
Go get a drink at Gatsby's new Christmas pop up bar, Thick As Thieves, Hap Hap Lounge, or Water Bear Bar.
Go see the Boise Model Railroad Club (read my story about them) or the Caldwell Model Railroad Club displays.
Go visit alpacas

Holiday happenings

Fri Nov 24: Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting + Glide on the Grove (new ice rink) opening! It's all free! Yay!
Fri Nov 24: Story time with The Grinch at Rediscovered Books at 6pm!
Fri-Sun Nov 24-26: Warhawk Winterfest is happening at Warhawk Air Museum. There will be winter crafts, holiday scavenger hunt & photos with Santa.
Now-Nov 27: St Al's Festival of Trees is happening at Boise Centre. Different hours & events each day, here's the schedule.
Fri-Sun Nov 24-26: Canyon County Festival of Trees is happening at Ford Idaho Center. Tix are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and kids, or $20 for a family of 6.
Sat Nov 25: Downtown Nampa Christmas Tree Lighting is happening at 6pm. The farmer's market that day will be a Winter Wonderland Market from 11am-7pm.

Shopping weekend

Here is my giant list of places to shop local + gift ideas. Below is some markets & sales & stuff happening this weekend:

Fri Nov 24: Koenig Distillery Holiday Market is happening from 11am-6pm. Lots of local vendors + wine & whiskey!
Fri-Sat Nov 24-25: Art Source Gallery Studio Sale is happening Fri & Sat with items priced at $50 or less.
Sat Nov 25: New store alert! Scenic, the storied home, is opening at 1420 W Grove Street, Suite 2, in downtown Boise.
Sat Nov 25: Lark & Larder holiday pop-up with Star Knits Farm
Sat Nov 25: Realms Flea Market Lounge is happening at Realms Arcade. They will have multiple booths set up with clothes, oddities, video games, consoles, vhs tapes cds and much more, plus live vinyl djs & more! Goes 12-10pm, all ages! Free entry or it's $10 to play games all day & all night!
Sat Nov 25: Local Makers Market at Edwards Greenhouse
Sat Nov 25: Eat. Drink. Shop. Market at Warehouse Food Hall
Sat Nov 25: Boise Farmers Indoor Market at Shrine Social Club.
Sat Nov 25: The Winter Wicked Market is happening at Nampa Civic Center. It has all things geeky and fandom. Goes from 10am-6pm.
Sat Nov 25-Dec 23: Merry Makers Market is up for the month at 812 W Bannock Street in Downtown Boise.
Sun Nov 26: Boise Business Babes Winter Market is happening at Riverside Hotel. Shop all women-owned local businesses.
Sun Nov 26: Lovely Hollow Farm Holiday Market is happening from 10am-4pm. Admission is free!

Sponsored by Boise Philharmonic

Kick off the holiday season with the magic of Handel's Messiah, a timeless masterpiece that has captivated hearts for two and a half centuries. From deeply tender arias to show-stopping choruses and splendid orchestral writing, Messiah has it all. You have three chances to experience Handel’s Messiah:

Friday, December 1 at 7pm
Saturday, December 2 at 1pm
Saturday, December 2 at 7pm

All performances take place at South Junior High. Join Boise Phil to experience some of the most joyous music ever written. Get your tickets here!

Tunes & shows

Fri Nov 24: Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa Rave at Knitting Factory
Fri Nov 24: Teenage Halloween +Switch Full Lotus + Leaway at Shrine Social Club [Basement]
Fri Nov 24: Darkness Dance w/ DJ Riley at Neurolux
Fri Nov 24: Thanksgiving Afterparty at Relams Arcade
Fri Nov 24: Jawstruck + Scrutiny at The Shredder
Sat Nov 25: College Level + CMMNWLTH + Leading Lines at Treefort Music Hall
Sat Nov 25: 70’s vs 80’s w/ DJ Riley at Neurolux
Sat Nov 25: Wedding at The Shredder
Sat Nov 25: Lunacy (goth dance night) at Lounge at the End of the Universe
Sat Nov 25: Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four: A Sacred Christmas Celebration at The Morrison Center
Sun Nov 26: Maxwell Hughes (formerly of the Lumineers and Edison) at The Sapphire Room
Mon Nov 27: The 1975 + Dora Jar at ExtraMile Arena
Tue Nov 28: Dirty Honey + Austin Meade at Knitting Factory
Wed Nov 29: Casey Donahew at Knitting Factory

Comedy & storytelling

Fri Nov 24: Black Friday Improv Comedy Show at Recycled Minds Comedy. Tix are $15 for adults or $5 for kids.
Fri Nov 24: Improv Insanity Adult Comedy Show is happening at Watson's Cafe from 8-9:30pm. Tix are $15-$45. 18+
Sat Nov 25: Thanksgiving Comedy Show at the Lounge at the End of the Universe. Starts at 6pm and tix are $15 online or $20 at the door. 21+
Sat Nov 25: Comedian Louis C. is at the Lounge at the End of the Universe. Starts at 9pm and tix are $20. 21+
Sat Nov 25: Auditions for Comic of the Year 2024 are happening at Mad Swede Brew Hall from 7-11pm. Comic of the Year is a monthly comedy competition that happens Jan-May. It's free to audition!
Tue Nov 28: Story Story Night's RECORD is happening at JUMP. Tix are $17.

Food finds & things to drink

Th-Sun Nov 23-26: BACON is celebrating Black Friday weekend with Bacon Bags for $15 per bag all weekend. Available online & in-store.
Fri Nov 24: Payette Brewing is having its annual Black Friday, a celebration of dark beers. It's happening 12-8pm and there's lots of stouts and porters on tap, food trucks, live music and more. 21+, no dogs. It's free!
Tue Dec 5: Join the Christmas Charcuterie Workshop at Potter Wines. Learn tips and tricks for amazing charcuterie. Tix are $60. Goes 6-7:30pm.

Payette's Black Friday party. Credit Payette Brewing.

Things to do

Fri Nov 24: Join Black Friday Birding at Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve with the Golden Eagle Audubon Society. It's from 10am-12pm and it's free!
Fri Nov 24: Take the kids to see Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour at Ford Idaho Center. Tix are $27.50+ and it starts at 6pm.
Sat Nov 25: The Boise Sports Card and Memorabila Show is happening at The Riverside Hotel from 9am-5pm. It's free!
Sat Nov 25: Boise Old Time Square Dance is happening at Shrine Social Club. All dances taught on the spot. No partner, experience or specific attire needed. Live music from Hillfolk Noir and friends. Calling by Ava Honey and friends. Dancing and music at 7:30-9:30. Tix are $10 per person or $25 per family. Kids 13 and under free.
Mon Nov 27: Join the Full Moon Drum Circle at the Salt Sanctuary. Tix are $90. Goes 5:30-7pm.
Wed Nov 29: Grown Up Book Fair is happening at Mad Swede Brewery (2772 S Cole Road). Last one of the year!