Happy turkey day! Whatcha doin today? By the time you read this I will have already run the turkey trot with the fam, drank a bloody mary, watched some football, and now we’re probably gettin ready to cut the ‘ol bird and dig in. What a day.
If you are looking for things to do this weekend with your fam (or maybe to escape lol), I’ve got lots of ideas for you!
If you are looking for places to shop local for the holidays (and Small Business Saturday this weekend), here’s my Boise Gift Guide 2025.
Alright, onto the fun stuff!
Bogus Basin Mountain Report
The Bogus Basin team is pulling off what other mountains aren’t - they’re opening this weekend!
Thanks to the summer’s Snow Secure snow storage & a significant snowmaking push early this week, The Easy Rider Conveyor, with access to a terrain park is set to open this Saturday & Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm ❄️
Don’t forget to pick up your season pass Access Card before heading up the mountain!
credit Bogus Basin
Things to do with the fam
A brain dump of Boise things to do with your family:
World Center for Birds of Prey: Learn all about conserving raptors and meet live birds of prey up close. It’s super cool. Closed today but open again Friday. Hours are Tuesday - Sunday from 10am - 5pm. Read my story here.
Old Boise Model Railroad Open House: Watch model trains running through different scenery - all of which is handmade. It’s amazing! They also have free photos with Santa every Saturday.
Visit Peaceful Belly Farm: Take the fam to the countryside and visit Peaceful Belly Farm. They have a wonderful cafe and cidery and this is their last weekend open for the season!
Edwards Greenhouse: A fun stop to do some shopping, plus they have little holiday photo areas set up throughout the property.
Idaho Lottery just released its Holiday Scratch Games, and they are full of festive surprises. There are six new games this year, including the $1 Red 7, Green 7 (top prize $1,000) and the big $20 25 Days of Winning (top prize $200,000).
My personal favorite? The $5 Jingle Bells Christmas Smells ticket… because it smells like cranberries.
Every Holiday Scratch Game also comes with a 2nd Chance Code, giving you another shot at one of ten $1,000 prizes. You can enter those codes through January 31 at 11:59pm MT.
You can grab free holiday envelopes at retailers – perfect for stocking stuffers, thank yous, and “idk what to get you” gifts. Scratch Games support Idaho public schools and buildings!
The annual Canyon County Festival of Trees fills the Ford Idaho Center with beautifully decorated trees, local vendors, live performances, and more. There’s all kinds of special events too, like Cookies with Santa and Breakfast with Santa, and an adults-only Bingo Night. The celebration wraps up with a formal Gala on Dec 1. Admission is $5–$8, and kids 3 and under get in free.
Friday, November 28
Downtown Boise Holiday Tree Lighting is happening from 5-6pm on the Grove Plaza. Gather round the 45-foot tree adorned with more than 5,000 lights and a custom-made tree topper. There’s also a candle lighting ceremony, live holiday music by local band Payette, special guests, and the official countdown and lighting of the Holiday Tree! It’s free and all ages.
Winter Garden aGlow opens for the season 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!
Saturday, November 29
The Boise Holiday Parade kicks off at 10am and this year’s theme is “A Storybook Christmas.” There’s lots of creative floats, marching bands, dance teams, and an appearance from Santa himself.
Downtown Nampa’s Christmas Tree Lighting kicks off the holiday season with a tree-lighting celebration in Library Square. Festivities begin at 5pm with live entertainment, followed by the tree lighting at 6pm. Santa and the Mrs. will be there afterward to greet families inside the historic Nampa Train Depot. It also coincides with Nampa’s Shop Small Saturday celebration.
This Is Boise’s Winter Wonder Market is happening inside the Riverside Hotel from 10am-4pm. It’s a free indoor market that brings together 75+ local makers, artists, and businesses for a festive day of holiday shopping. There’s free family photos with Santa, kid-friendly activities, and donation-based gift wrapping.
Winter Festival: Shop Small Saturday in Nampa
Saturday, November 29 - Sunday, November 30
You’ve seen Home Alone, but have you seen it with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack? The Boise Phil is performing John Williams’ iconic score along with the film at the Morrison Center. Watch Kevin outsmart the Wet Bandits while Boise’s orchestra brings the magic and mischief to life. There’s also pre-concert talks with Music Director Eric Garcia and guests happen 45 minutes before each show. A fun holiday outing for the whole family.
Boise Discount Card #001
$20.00 USD
Get a one-time 10% discount at 12 handpicked local spots through 2026.
The Polar Express is showing at The Egyptian Theatre at 11am. Tix are $10.
Friday, November 28 - Saturday, November 29
Art Studio Sale at Art Source Gallery is happening from 10am–6pm both days. It’s a 2-day studio sale loaded with original artwork, jewelry, ceramics, test pieces, books, and art supplies, all pulled straight from local artists’ studios. Everything is $50 or less, making it an awesome stop for unique, affordable holiday gifts. Address is 1516 W Grove St in downtown Boise.
The Mistletoe Market is happening from 10am–3pm at 1016 Wild Phlox Way in Boise. It’s a cozy, locally-made holiday market featuring handcrafted soaps, knitwear, ornaments, stocking stuffers, jewelry, baked goods, and more from local makers. There will be free cookies and hot cocoa/coffee while supplies last, plus locally-baked sourdough and treats for purchase.
Gallery of Gifts is kicking off at Create Gallery & Frames in Garden City. This 2-week holiday gift event goes through Dec 13 and features small works from local artists plus artist talks, demos, and themed weekend activities.
Black Moon Holiday Market is happening from 10am–2pm at Black Moon Pizza & Pastries. This cozy holiday market features local art, a great lineup of makers, handmade goods, pastries, and pizza specials.
Guided Gratitude Meditation & Sound Bath is happening at True North Yoga from 1–3pm. This donation-based circle (suggested $20–$40) includes guided meditation, a sound bath, and space to reflect, release, and reset for the season. Bring a yoga mat and journal, and wear comfy layers.
Pressed Flower Bar at Warehouse Food Hall is happening from 2–4pm. It’s a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own 8x10 framed pressed-flower artwork using recycled frames, curated florals, and all provided supplies. All skill levels are welcome, and you can even bring photos to include in your piece. Drinks and food are available for purchase. Tix are $45.
Boise Speed Dating Frost & Flirt is happening at The Warehouse Food Hall. They are doing two age group session (21-44 and 45+) with time to talk to people outside your age range as well. Tix are $40 and it starts at 4pm.
Plant Bingo: Plantsgiving – Ugly Sweater Edition is happening at Voodoo Brewing Boise from 5–8pm. It’s a cozy, all-ages bingo night where everyone leaves with a plant. There are at least 10 rounds (15 if they hit 100 players), plus bigger and rarer plant prizes as the pot grows. Bring a food donation for the Idaho Food Bank to be entered to win a special plant. Ugly holiday sweaters are encouraged. Tix are $30.
Tuesday, December 2
Wreathmaking Workshop at the North End Wine Bar is happening from 5:30–7:30pm. You’ll craft a 22-inch wreath using fresh fir, pine cones, berries, and seasonal accents, with guidance from Idaho Wreaths. Your ticket includes your first glass of wine, snacks, and all supplies. 21+
SPONSORED BY BOISE CITY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & HISTORY
Discover Echoes of Home
Looking for something to do with your family and friends over the holidays? Discover the newest exhibition at the James Castle House, Echoes of Home. It’s a look at James Castle’s work through the people who love it most. Instead of focusing solely on the artist, this show highlights the Boise collectors who have lived alongside Castle’s creations for decades.
You’ll see pieces from private local collections—rare drawings, constructions, and compositions that have quietly hung in Boise homes, carried stories, and sparked connection. Each artwork includes a short note from its collector about why the piece spoke to them and how it’s become part of their lives.
Echoes of Homewill be on view at the James Castle House (5015 Eugene St., Boise) from November 20, 2025 - May 2026.
Black Friday at Payette Brewing is happening from 1–7pm in the Beer Garden. It’s an outdoor Black Friday celebration featuring tasters of 10+ imperial stouts and porters, including the new 2025 12 Gauge Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout. It’s $50 for unlimited tastings and a commemorative glass. They will also have a selection of dark beers on tap in the taproom to enjoy. There’s also food trucks and a mobile ski tech in the beer garden. All ages and dog friendly.
Black Friday Sale at Brewer’s Haven is happening from 9am–10pm. It’s their annual Goose Island release + cellar sale with rare and well-crafted beers available first come, first served. Doors open at 9am at 1795 S Vista Ave in Boise. Free to attend; beer for purchase.
Friday, November 28 - Saturday, November 29
Split Rail’s Black Friday Weekend Grand Tasting is happening this weekend from 12–8pm. They’re opening up 20 wines for unlimited tasting. It’s $25 for members and $30 for non-members. They’re also offering 25% off cases all weekend, plus you can save 10% on any bottle with an advance ticket purchase.
Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30
Black Friday Weekend at Famici Winery is happening all weekend. On Friday, they’re doing one-day-only wine sales plus Carla’s Famous Idaho Spud Bar for the first 50 guests. On Saturday & Sunday from 12–3pm, enjoy special barrel tastings and get an intimate look at what’s aging in the cellar.
Tuesday, December 2
Cellar-Worthy Holiday Wines is happening at House of Wine. Sample a curated lineup of high-quality wines selected for their aging potential, all of which are great for holiday dinners or gifts. Light cheese and charcuterie are included, and attendees get 10% off featured bottles (15% for wine club members). Starts at 6:30pm.
credit Payette Brewing
Comedy & storytelling
Friday, November 28 – Saturday, November 29
Thanksgiving Comedy Shows are happening at The Creative Space from 8–9:30pm. It’s a two-night variety show featuring standup, storytelling, and improv about the funniest, most relatable parts of Turkey Day chaos and family gatherings. Tix are $16 for adults and $6 for kids.
Saturday, November 29
Uproar’s Thanksgiving Comedy Show is happening at The Comedy Lounge from 7–8:30pm. It’s a PG-13 improv show recreating hilarious family stories and spinning new holiday tales. Tix are $20.
