We have officially entered peak holidays, people. There's so many events! I made an effort to have some non-holiday events in here because not everyone wants to be all gung ho on Christmas - I get it. Have fun out there!
Bogus Basin Mountain Report
Did you hit the slopes last weekend? The Snow Sorcerers have been hard at work – converting over 5 million gallons of water into snow this week!
The team expects to open the Coach Chairlift with access to Coach’s Corner run, and both Easy Rider and Discovery conveyors. The Explorer conveyor is also slated to run, providing access to a fresh terrain park build. The mountain is open from 9am to 4:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Conveyor only tickets are $15, with Coach + Conveyor tickets priced at $25.
Before you head up the hill: make sure to pick up your Season Pass Access Card at the Downtown Sales Office, open every day from 10 am to 6 pm!
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An Art Show
Saturday, December 6
​BNDRY Presents: An Art Show**is happening at the Idaho Film Society from 6:30–11:55pm. It’s an art show and **a dance party, night market, and interactive experience with local artists, projections, screen printing, vendors, tattoos, pizza, and DJs. Great lineup of artists and organizations on this one. Tix are $10. 21+.
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Holiday happenings
Friday, December 5
​Krampus Krawl & Holiday Market is happening at Barbarian Brewing (Garden City) from 5–8pm. Dress up as Krampus, an elf, or any Nordic creature and join the festive chaos. There’s a costumed parade at 7pm with prizes for the best dressed. You can sip glühwein, hang by the fire pits, grab food from Crispy Business, and shop 16 local vendors at the holiday pop-up market. It’s weird, wintery, and will be a good time. Free to attend.
​Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting is happening at Generations Plaza in downtown Meridian from 7-8:30pm. This year’s theme is Holiday Express. Enjoy festive floats, holiday music, free hot cocoa stands, and visits with Santa. The parade starts at 7pm and is followed by the tree lighting.
Friday, December 5 - Saturday, December 6
​Christmas Live Nativity is happening at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1950 South Locust Grove Road in Meridian) from 6-9pm. It’s featuring live scenes from the Christmas Nativity reenacted by local youth and a performance by the youth choir.
​The Boise Christmas Show is happening 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.
​TRICA’s Snow Globe is happening this weekend and next weekend (Dec 12-14). It’s 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.
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Get a one-time 10% discount at 12 handpicked local spots through 2026.
​Hip Holiday Craft Market is happening from 9am–5pm at Flying M Coffee Garage in downtown Nampa. Shop handmade goods from 39 local artists inside a heated tent, plus enjoy boozy drinks from PreFunk, kettle corn from Boise’s Best Kettle Korn, and plenty of coffee and treats. Free to attend.
​Sockeye Brewing Holiday Market is happening from 10am–4pm at Sockeye Brewing on Fairview. Shop local makers and artisan vendors, grab food from Idaho Mini Donuts & Perfect Sips Coffee, enjoy live music from Joseph Lyle, and sip fresh Sockeye beer. It’s family-friendly and free to attend.
​Boise Tattoo Bazaar is happening at Boise Tattoo from 11am–7pm. This all-ages, free event brings together BTC tattoo artists offering fresh flash tats, piercing specials, 10 local makers, and even a DIY print table for making your own holiday cards or mini prints. Every tattoo or piercing done that day earns you an entry into their holiday raffle for $100 gift certificates. They’re also running month-long donation drives for Toys for Tots, with $20 off your next tattoo or piercing when you donate.
​Boise Bench Holiday Market is happening from 10am–4pm at Brood Coffee. Expect a fun mix of local art, food, vintage finds, and even flash tattoos. Vendors include The Lit Room, Cactus Rose Glass Art, Mak Made Jewelry, Poni Boi Threads, Flicker & Pine Candles, and Black Moon Pizza & Pastries, and lots more. It’s a great one to browse, snack, and pick up unique handmade gifts.
​Christkindlmarkt – A Traditional German Christmas Market is happening from 3–7pm at The Hub in downtown Mountain Home. Sip hot chocolate, glühwein, or craft beer as you wander through twinkling lights, shop handmade gifts, enjoy German holiday treats, and visit St. Nikolaus. There will be carols, sweets, and lots of festive charm.
​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!
​Eagle Country Christmas is happening at Heritage Park and on State Street. There's live reindeer, crafts, free hot cocoa, 70 holiday vendors, and live music, followed by the park lighting at 6pm. It's free!
​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! If you would like to participate, show up at 1pm at the Boise State Department of Music and join the rehearsal at 1:30pm. And if you want to watch be at the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise at 4pm. It’s free!
credit Boise Tuba Christmas
Sunday, December 7
​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!
​Sagebrush Collaborative Holiday Market is happening at the Linen Building from 10am–5pm. This is Boise’s only holiday market featuring 100% handmade goods with a focus on sustainability and nature-inspired items. There will be 40+ makers, a free sustainable wrapping station, tattoos, food trucks, a coffee truck, and more. Early bird shopping is from 9–10am with a non-perishable food donation and the first 10 people in line get a free reusable tote filled with artist-made goodies. Free admission.
Wednesday, December 10
​Boise Trolley Tours Christmas Lights Tour is kicking off on Wednesday and goes through December 31. The tour takes you on a cozy tour to see festive homes in the West Bench neighborhood. Bundle up with your favorite warm beverage, listen to holiday music, and enjoy the holiday cheer aboard the Jolly Trolley.
SPONSORED BY HOTEL RENEGADE
A winter stay made for slowing down.
Hotel Renegade’s The Sweet & The Spirited holiday package is built for cozy winter nights, complete with hot cocoa, soft blankets, and a little something extra if you want it.
Your stay includes Renegade mugs with hot cocoa and marshmallows, candy canes and mini bottles of Baileys & Kahlúa, a cable-knit sherpa blanket to wrap up in and take home, and a $25 nightly movie credit for an easy night in.
It’s simple, comfortable, and relaxing. Just what you need to make it through an Idaho Winter. The Sweet & The Spirited package is available through February 1, 2026.
​The Boise Bard Players present Othello at the Meridian Masonic Lodge, with shows Thursdays–Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm. This intimate production brings Shakespeare’s dark and gripping tragedy up close, exploring love, jealousy, power, and the high cost of twisted truth. Tix range from $15–$35. Expect live piano accompaniment on most dates, a Dirty Soda Bar, and alcohol available on site.
Friday, December 5
​First Friday Art & Studio Stroll is happening in Garden City. Check out exhibits, art sales, readings, and performances at different artist studios, restaurants, and businesses. You can find the map and schedule here.
It’s Adult Night at the Discovery Center of Idaho and the theme is 80s Ski Murder Mystery. Head back to the slopes with a totally tubular 1980s ski resort theme. Dress in your best retro ski gear or go full 80’s, solve the mystery, and enjoy a night full of clues, laughter, and frosty fun. This sounds so fun! Tix are $36. 21+
Friday, December 5 - Saturday, December 6
The MK Nature Center is hosting its 19th annual bird seed sale. Stock up on food for your favorite backyard birds. Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs and day-to-day operations at the nature center. On Saturday there is live bird presentations with the center’s peregrine falcon, Wilson, at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm, and a take-home kid’s craft available from 11am-2pm. Address is 600 S. Walnut Street in Boise
Sunday, December 7
​National Outdoor Learning Alliance (NOLA) Make & Take Fundraiser is happening from 4–6pm at Rediscovered Books. It’s a family-friendly craft afternoon where kids (and grownups!) can make three nature-themed holiday gifts to keep or give away. All supplies are included and a storytime, plus 100% of proceeds support the EverWild Forest School Scholarship Fund. Additional craft kits will be available for purchase. All ages welcome.
credit MK Nature Center
Comedy & storytelling
Thursday, December 4
​Feral Joy: A Night of Feminist Comedy, Art & Resistance is happening from 6–9pm at The Linen Building. The evening includes comedy hosted by Beth Norton, live music by Vibeka Amador, a silent art auction featuring Idaho artists, storytelling, food, drinks, and community connection. Tix are $100, or $50 each with a group purchase of 8.
Friday, December 5
Comedian Josh Wolf is at the Knitting Factory. He’s a comedian, actor, and writer and has written for a number of sitcoms, including All of Us and Cuts. Tix are $39-$44 depending on seating. 13+
The Cheap Laughs Comedy Show featuring Duane Stitt + Bridget Foley + Holden Weihs + Saul Berman is happening at Liquid Laughs at 8pm. Tix are $12.51 and it’s 18+
Saturday, December 6
​Snowed In Comedy Show is happening at Recycled Minds at 8pm. Remember waking up to a surprise snow day? This show brings that feeling back. It’s a mix of fast-paced improv, audience-fueled scenes, and one longer story-inspired piece that warms the room like a fire after coming in from the cold. Tix are $16 for adults, $6 for kids age 5-12.
​Pretty Good Friends, A Stand-up Showcase is happening at Mad Swede Brew Hall at 7pm. Max Knudson and Samson Large, hosts of the Pretty Good Podcast, are doing sets along with six of the funniest local comedians. Tix are $19.
Sunday, December 7
​Nate Bargatze is at ExtraMile Arena at 7pm. He's a Grammy-nominated stand-up comedian known for his clean, deadpan delivery and storytelling. Tix are $75-$97.
​Trevor Wallace is at The Egyptian Theatre at 9pm. The earlier show is sold out. Tix are $42-$81.
SPONSORED BY CATHEDRAL OF THE ROCKIES
Looking for a beautiful way to welcome the Christmas season?
​Christmas At The Cathedral: From Heaven to Here is a free, all-ages musical celebration happening the first weekend of December. It’s one of the most moving holiday traditions in Boise.
This year’s program traces the Christmas story through music and poetry, featuring sacred works from across the centuries, beloved carols, thoughtful readings, and performances from the Cathedral’s full music department: adult choirs, children’s choirs, instrumentalists, independent musicians, organist David Young, the Cathedral Collective, and more.
There are three performances in the Downtown Sanctuary: Saturday, Dec 6 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, Dec 7 at 4pm. You can also watch all performances on Facebook and YouTube.
No tickets needed — just come as you are. A freewill offering will support the Cathedral Music Department, and guests are invited to bring a non-perishable food item for Amity Food Pantry.
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