Ok there’s a lot going on this weekend. Fair, rodeo, multiple festivals, tons comedy... you name it, it's happening. You could be eating huckleberry pie in Donnelly, catching a show and eating a corndog at the Western Idaho Fair, or staying out late for laughs and live music. Whatever your feelin', there’s plenty to keep ya busy. Here’s what’s happening:
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Out of town
Friday, August 15 – Sunday, August 17
Donnelly Huckleberry Festival is happening all weekend in Donnelly. Celebrate the iconic Idaho berry with a purple parade down Main Street, artisan vendors, live music, a fun run, kids’ activities, and plenty of huckleberry treats. There’s also a community pancake breakfast on Sunday and lots of small-town summer charm.
Saturday, August 16 – Sunday, August 17
Payette Lakes Fine Arts & Crafts Fair is happening at Gold Glove Park in McCall. Browse works from over 95 artists, enjoy live music, and shop food vendors under a shaded picnic area. Free admission, parking available on site.
credit Donnelly Chamber of Commerce
In the valley
Saturday, August 16
Japanese Summer Festival is happening from 10am-3pm at Franz Witte Garden Center in Nampa. Enjoy a Taiko drum performance by Sangha Taiko at 11am, a bonsai display and demo from the Boise Bonsai Society, and a live koi pond from the Idaho Water Garden & Koi Society. Chef Gee will be serving fresh sushi, plus Bus Bar Idaho will have seasonal drinks. Free admission, all ages welcome.
32 Cells Art Show X: Wanted is happening from 6-10pm at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. See new works by local artists inspired by real “Wanted” posters and escape stories from the historic prison, displayed on cell doors. Food from Bochi Bochi and a no-host bar will be available. Admission is $15 (free for Idaho State Historical Society members). Recommended for ages 13+.
Thursday, August 14 - Saturday, August 16
Caldwell Night Rodeo is in full swing. You have three more nights of pro rodeo action, plus the breakfasts, shopping, and after parties at Indian Creek Steakhouse. Full schedule here.
Friday, August 15 - Next Sunday, August 24
Western Idaho Fair kicks off tomorrow and goes all through the week to next Sunday, August 24. There’s lots going on including carnival rides, live music, animal shows, roaming entertainers, ag exhibits, kids activities, craft demos, and plenty of fair food. Tix prices vary depending on what you want to do/see: Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), $8 for kids (6–11) or free for kids 5 & under; Carnival wristband is $35; “Double the Fun” package (2 admission + 2 carnival wristbands) is $80. See all tix here. There’s also Daily Deals, like free admission on opening day from 12-4pm, BOGO tix on Monday, $2 Tuesday, and more. See all Daily Deals here.
Thu Aug 21: The All-American Rejects (reserved/VIP sold out)
Fri Aug 22: Wynonna Judd (reserved/VIP sold out)
Is this the greatest fair photo ever? The Peterson family brought the famous Pronto Pup to the Western Idaho Fair back in 1943 and its been a favorite ever since. Credit Western Idaho Fair.
223 days til Treefort
It’s not happening until next year but if you’re a Treeforter, here’s some news:
Treefort Music Fest 2026 Locals Only Sale is happening on Friday, Sept 12. Locals can snag a 5-day GA pass for $240 + tax during the in-person, one-day sale at The Record Exchange in Boise or PreFunk Beer Bar in Nampa. These are the lowest price tickets you will find (unless you volunteer, then it's $30). You can also buy other tix (GA,U21, ZIP) online that day. More info here.
Artist submissions open Friday, August 15 for Music, Comedyfort, Filmfort, Hackfort, Kidfort, Podfort, and Storyfort. Music submissions close November 21, with a free entry period until tickets go on sale. More info here.
Also Treefort released the 2025 Impact Report and the fest generated $15.8M in economic impact in Boise! Damn. That's a lot!
credit Treefort Music Fest
SPONSORED BY FNDATN FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Ready to feel your best?
FNDATN Functional Medicine takes a personalized, root-cause approach to health. They don’t just manage symptoms, they take a deep dive approach to figure out what’s really going on so you can heal and actually feel good again.
If you’ve been wanting real answers and a plan that works, I can’t recommend them enough. They offer a free discovery call to see if it’s a good fit.
Hops ‘N Homes First-Time Homebuyer Class is happening at 6pm at Barbarian Downtown Beer Bar. Learn the basics of buying your first home in a no-pressure class, plus enjoy a free beer while you’re at it. Free but registration required.
West Bench Farmers Market is happening from 5-8pm in the Idaho Asian Plaza near the library at Cole & Ustick in Boise. Lots of locally-sourced and globally-inspired agricultural products to shop.
Friday, August 15
Movie Under the Stars is happening at 9pm at the Gene Harris Bandshell in Julia Davis Park. Bring the fam to watch Despicable Me 4 under the night sky. Food vendors include Scotty’s Dogs and Hip Pop Hooray. Free admission, all ages welcome. Bring blankets or low-back chairs, and arrive early for parking.
Friday, August 15 – Sunday, August 17
Stylish Estate Sale is happening from 8am-3pm in Boise (address posted the day before). Shop high-end furniture, rugs, plants, and curated home décor pieces. Everything is clean, stylish, and ready to go home with you. This one sounds like a goood one!
Saturday, August 16
Weave & Wine (Weaving for Beginners) with Little Studio Collective is happening at Split Rail Winery. It’s a 2-hour beginner-friendly workshop and the perfect introduction to weaving for all ages and skill levels. Each guest will receive a Yarn Buddy Loom/Kit and curated fiber pack to use during class and take home. Tix are $85 and includes all materials and a glass of wine.
Children’s Entrepreneur Market is happening from 5-9pm at Expo Idaho during the Western Idaho Fair. Shop a farmers market run entirely by kids, plus enjoy rides, shows, and live music.
Fall Gardening: The Best is Yet to Come class is happening from 12-1pm at North End Organic Nursery. Learn what and how to grow in cool fall months, plus site selection, plant choices, and season extension techniques. Free, RSVP required. This class is happening next Saturday, too!
Resonance: An Evening of Music & Art with Kit Julianto is happening from 5-6:30pm at the Idaho State Museum. Hear traditional songs and stories from Native American flute, drums, and vocals, highlighting music as a bridge to Native language and heritage. Tix are $10 GA, $20 support, $40 premium.
Wednesday, August 20
It’s National Radio Day and Radio Boise is celebrating on-air at 89.9/93.5FM and in-person at the studio (1020 W Main St, Boise). Enjoy live bands in-studio, listener radio stories, a vinyl record swap, and raffles for concert tickets and merch. Donations and new monthly donors are encouraged to support your community radio station.
Next Thursday, August 21
Pressed Flower Bar is happening from 5:30-7:30pm at Boise Co-op North End Wine Bar. Create your own preserved floral frame with all materials (and pressed flowers) provided, plus your first glass of wine and charcuterie snacks included. Tix are $55 for co-op members or $65 for nonmembers. 21+
Pressed Flower Bar, credit Lindsay Rae Art.
SPONSORED BY HOPS 'N HOMES
Have you heard of Hops 'N Homes?
It’s a free class for first time homebuyers in the Treasure Valley and it’s amazing! Hops 'N Homes hosts a class every month at Barbarian Brewing in Downtown Boise (21+). They teach you everything that you need to know about buying a house.
You’ll learn tips for house hunting, how to assemble a great team, the best loan type for you, trends happening in the market, and so much more. Oh and, you get a free drink! What do you have to lose?
Beer & Popcorn Pairing is happening at 7pm at Belmont Brew House in Garden City. Enjoy a flight of 4 Belmont beers paired with 4 popcorn flavors from A Sweet Experience, ranging from savory to spicy to sweet. Tix are $22.
29 years of Goody’s
Goody’s Soda Fountain & Candy Store is celebrating its 29th anniversary this Saturday, August 16 from 12-2pm. They are giving away free ice cream from a 29 gallon Sundae! Obviously the ice cream there is amazing but my go-to is the dark chocolate salted caramel squares - so good.
Food Truck Spots
The Foodport, a new open-air food truck pop-up, is happening this Saturday, August 16 from 4-8pm. It’s at 4510 Aviation Way in Caldwell.
Food Truck Nights at Orah Brandt Park in Nampa is happening tonight, August 14, from 4:30-8:30pm. There’s 6 food trucks and live music.
Green Acres Food Truck Park is the park along the Greenbelt (1401 W Shoreline Dr) that has rotating food trucks, live music, and tons of open space and seating.
Also this website is great for finding where your fave food truck is!
credit Green Acres Food Truck Park
Comedy & storytelling
Friday, August 15
Lectures by Lushes: A Drunken Lecture Series is happening at The Balcony Club at 7pm. It's a drunk history meets TED talk show. Topics this month include The Horrors of Oz, Holy Order of the Claw, Grain Sales to Soviets, Drink Schlitz or I'll Kill You, and Order of the Pug: The Catholic Secret Society. Tix are $18. 21+
The Cheap Laughs Comedy Show is happening at 8pm at Liquid Lounge. See a lineup of local comedians for just $10. Doors at 7pm.
Comedian Kris Sharma is performing at Lounge at the End of the Universe. His stand-up mixes sharp observations and self-deprecating humor, drawing on family life, current events, and his colorful past. Tix are $26.50.
Saturday, August 16
Off The Cuff is happening at 9pm at Mad Swede Brew Hall. Comedians riff on random topics suggested by the audience. Doors at 8:30pm.
Comedian Daniel Eachus is performing at Lounge at the End of the Universe. Known for his sharp, high-energy comedy, he's been featured on Comedy Central, FOX, Hulu, and more. Tix are $26.50.
Sunday, August 17
Curio & Tell is happening from 3-4pm at Meriwether Cider House. Bring an oddity, treasure, or conversation starter and share its story over cider in this 21+ evening of storytelling and community.
Tuesday, August 19
Share That Bottle: Stories Behind the Cork is happening at House of Wine. Bring a special bottle and the story that makes it memorable in this intimate evening of wine sharing and storytelling. Come prepared to taste widely, listen to engaging stories, and perhaps find your next favorite bottle through someone else’s recommendation. Tix are $15 or free for Flight Club members.
Comedian Ryan O’Flanagan is doing a set at Shrine Social Club. He’s appeared on shows like New Girl, Abbott Elementary, American Vandal, Dave, Players, Corporate, and The Orville, and has voiced for American Dad!, The Mighty Ones on Hulu, and Disney Channel's The Owl House. Tix are $27.
